Exposure is one of the most effective strategies for overcoming fear (Hofmann & Smits, 2008). It involves individuals repeatedly confronting their fears in order to reduce their fearful responses and break the patterns of avoidance that maintain those fears (Springer & Tolin, 2020).

Before beginning exposure, clients typically develop a fear ladder or “exposure hierarchy” (Beck et al., 1985). This is an individualized list of stimuli – such as activities, situations, or sensations – that provoke fear in the client and are therefore avoided. Once the list is created, the items are ranked and ordered according to the level of fear they induce.