Exposure Therapy

October 29, 2018 Elsa Orlandini

Exposure therapy is a therapeutic model aimed at  helping individuals confront fears and phobias. The goal of exposure-based therapies is to expose the individual to the feared stimulus, while the individual tolerates the fear and the brain is retrained to understand that there is no immediate danger. According to research, exposure therapy has been found to be the most effective treatment model for anxiety disorders.  From a behavioral standpoint, it is believed that phobias and fears are often maintained due to avoidance of the stimuli. Many individuals are able to understand that their phobias are irrational or illogical; however, they find themselves experiencing difficulties in overcoming them. As a result, many begin to avoid or escape situations that trigger anxiety, ultimately making it worse. When this occurs, a psychologist may begin exposure therapy with the individual, which provides the individual with a safe space where the feared stimulus will eventually be presented.

In therapy, individuals learn about our fight or flight responses to a danger signal in our brains. When we receive this danger signal the part of our brain that allows us to react immediately is activated in order to keep us safe or away from danger. The part of our brain that is in charge of working quickly and assuring we stay safe is the amygdala. When fears become irrational, exaggerated, or illogical, the amygdala is often over-activated and may need to be retrained. This part of the brain learns by association so if you runaway from a situation, your amygdala will continue to want to runaway from similar situations in the future to stay safe. Exposure therapy allows us to remain in those situations, allowing the fear to flee before you escape the situation. This often requires time for the individual to trust and build rapport with the psychologist and feel safe in the environment that is provided. With the psychologist, the individual develops effective coping mechanisms to overcome fears, phobias, and excessive worries.

There is a significant amount of research that supports the effectiveness of exposure therapy in individuals dealing with specific phobias, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. There are various models of exposure therapy that include: in vivo exposure during which the individual is directly exposed to the feared stimulus and flooding, which uses a fear hierarchy, progressively exposing the individual to more difficult tasks. Systematic desensitization incorporates relaxation techniques while the individual is presented with the feared stimulus, which often makes it more comfortable and manageable. Contact the Miami Psychology Group if you are interested in learning more about exposure therapy models. We offer family, couples, and individual therapy services in the Miami and Miami Beach area.