Exposure Therapy: Face Your Fears, Reclaim Your Life

If anxiety, panic, or trauma has caused your world to shrink—avoiding places, situations, or memories that feel overwhelming—Exposure Therapy can help you safely reclaim your freedom.

As a licensed psychologist serving adults in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont through online therapy, I work with people facing anxiety, PTSD, chronic stress, health-related fears, and perfectionism. Exposure-based strategies help my clients confront what they’ve been avoiding and rediscover a sense of safety, confidence, and control.

Exposure Therapy isn’t about “pushing through” or being thrown into your fears—it’s a structured, supportive process that builds your tolerance and self-trust step-by-step.

What Is Exposure Therapy?

Exposure Therapy is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) that helps you gradually face the thoughts, sensations, or situations that cause anxiety—so they no longer control your life.

Avoidance might feel like relief in the short term, but over time it strengthens fear. Exposure retrains your brain to recognize that the threat isn’t as dangerous as it feels, helping you live more fully.

Common exposure methods include:

• In Vivo Exposure – confronting real-life situations (e.g., driving, shopping, being in crowds)

• Imaginal Exposure – revisiting feared memories or scenarios in a safe, guided way (often used for trauma recovery)

• Interoceptive Exposure – intentionally triggering physical sensations (e.g., dizziness, shortness of breath) to reduce fear of bodily symptoms common in panic disorder or health anxiety

What Can Exposure Therapy Help With?

Exposure Therapy is highly effective for:

• Anxiety disorders (social anxiety, GAD, panic disorder, phobias)

• PTSD and trauma-related symptoms

• Health anxiety

• OCD and intrusive thoughts

• Perfectionism and fear of failure

• Chronic avoidance and safety behaviors

It can be especially transformative for those feeling “stuck” in cycles of fear, hypervigilance, or withdrawal from daily life.

How Exposure Therapy Works in My Practice

1. Identify fears and avoidance patterns – We map out your triggers, how they impact you, and the life you want to rebuild.

2. Create a personalized exposure hierarchy – We start small and progress at a pace that feels challenging but manageable.

3. Practice exposures in a safe, supportive environment – Whether visualizing a feared memory, reading triggering words, or gradually re-entering avoided spaces, I’ll guide and ground you through the process.

4. Build coping skills and track progress – You’ll learn tools for regulating your nervous system, reframing unhelpful thoughts, and celebrating small wins that lead to lasting change.

Why Exposure Works

Avoidance fuels anxiety. Exposure breaks the cycle by proving to your brain that you can handle what you fear. With repeated, intentional practice:

• Anxiety decreases

• Confidence grows

• Your brain relearns safety

• You regain meaningful parts of your life

This is especially powerful for clients recovering from trauma, navigating post-treatment anxiety (such as after canceror brain injury), or overcoming long-standing fears.

Evidence-Based, Compassionate Care

I integrate CBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Prolonged Exposure Therapy to create a plan that fits your nervous system and values. You’ll never be thrown into the deep end—exposure is about empowerment, not overwhelm.

You are not broken. You are capable of living with more courage, freedom, and peace.

📅 Ready to begin? Schedule a free consultation to explore how exposure therapy can help you feel more grounded, confident, and in control of your life.