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Exposure Therapy for Anxiety Disorders
Exposure Therapy is a psychological treatment that helps individuals confront their fears and anxieties in a safe, controlled environment. The therapy is based on the principle of habituation: the more a person is exposed to something they fear without any harm occurring, the less fearful they will become over time. It is highly effective for treating phobias, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, OCD, and PTSD. Techniques include gradual exposure, flooding, and virtual reality exposure, allowing clients to face their fears directly and reduce their anxiety responses.
References:
Foa, E.B., & Kozak, M.J. (1986). Emotional Processing of Fear: Exposure to Corrective Information. Psychological Bulletin, 99(1), 20-35.
Rothbaum, B.O., Hodges, L., Smith, S., Lee, J.H., & Price, L. (2000). A Controlled Study of Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for the Fear of Flying. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 68(6), 1020-1026.