What is Exposure Therapy? (The Pros and Cons)
Whether you have an intense fear of driving or you need to cross the street every time you pass a dog, avoiding the things that cause you anxiety can start to interfere with your life.
While it’s normal to want to stay away from things that cause you stress, you also might find yourself wanting to learn how to be around them.
Here at KMA Therapy, we know you want to make the most out of your time, money, and energy when you go to therapy. We’re passionate about helping you learn what types of therapy can be the most effective for you.
After reading this article, you’ll know what exposure therapy is, how it works, and how to know if it could be the right choice for you.
What is Exposure Therapy?
Exposure therapy is an evidence-based therapeutic technique designed to help you confront and overcome your fears in a controlled environment.
During exposure therapy, you’ll be gradually exposed to what you fear in an environment you know is safe.
This technique is rooted in behaviour therapy, and is an effective way to treat a range of mental health conditions.
What Does Exposure Therapy Treat?
Exposure therapy is a versatile treatment, meaning it can address a range of challenges you may be experiencing.
Exposure therapy can treat issues including:
- Anxiety
- Phobias
- Panic disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
What’s the Difference Between Exposure Therapy and ERP?
Exposure and response prevention (ERP) is a specific type of exposure therapy that is most commonly used to treat OCD.
The main difference in ERP is that there’s a strong focus on preventing an undesired response - you’ll be exposed to a stressful situation while your therapist makes sure you don’t perform the accompanying compulsive behaviour.
What Happens During Exposure Therapy?
During exposure therapy, your therapist will guide you through four main steps.
Assessment is the first stage. Your therapist will ask you about what’s bringing you to therapy and help you explore the fears or triggers you’re looking to address through therapy.
Next, you’ll create a hierarchy of situations that bring out your anxiety, fears, and triggers. You’ll start with scenarios that cause the least distress, and work your way up to the most challenging situations.
During the exposure step, you’ll be exposed to the situations you identified in the hierarchy step. Whether you’re confronting these through a discussion, imagined scenario, or facing them in real life (in vivo), your therapist will be there to support you and guide you through your feelings.
Lastly, you’ll process how you felt during the situation. You’ll discuss the experience, exploring your emotions and feelings, and talk to your therapist about how your perspective of the situation has changed.
Pros of Exposure Therapy
Exposure therapy is an intensive, effective treatment method. Its flexibility makes it a great option to treat a wide range of challenges, and it can be adapted to meet your specific needs.
Exposure therapy can be a great fit for you if:
- You’re looking for a short-term, fast-paced intervention
- You want a specific, goal-oriented approach
- You want to learn new, empowering skills
Cons of Exposure Therapy
While effective, exposure therapy can also sometimes feel too intense or overwhelming.
While exposure therapy can be adjusted to help with different challenges, it also follows a specific structure that might not be the right fit for everyone.
Exposure therapy may not be the right choice if:
- You’re not ready to face or confront your triggers head on
- You are experiencing ongoing trauma related to your fears
- You’re interested in talk therapy and want more time to discuss your challenges in a flexible environment
Alternatives to Exposure Therapy
After learning about the pros and cons of exposure therapy, you might be interested in exploring alternative modes of therapy.
Alternatives to exposure therapy include:
- Eye movement desensitization and response (EMDR)
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT)
Next Steps for Starting Therapy
After reading this article, you know what exposure therapy is and how to know if it could be a great choice for you.
Here at KMA Therapy, we’ve been helping our clients find the best type of therapy for them and matching them with their ideal therapist for over 14 years.
Register today to take the first step to feeling better.
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