Exposure
Individuals become more comfortable with a feared situation through using repeated exposures. These exposures can be direct or imagined and should begin with a situation the youth is just slightly afraid of and move towards more highly feared situations. For instance if a youth is afraid of heights the first exposure might involve standing at the top of a staircase. This process should move at a comfortable pace for the youth and should incorporate the practice of new coping skills.
What should my therapist be doing?
Practicing fear-provoking situations with your child, beginning with less-feared scenarios and slowly building up to harder ones
Praising your child for engaging in practice exercises
What should I be doing?
Practicing this skill with your child outside of therapy sessions
Encouraging your child to move on to tougher exercises as they master each step of the exposure practice
Occasionally reviewing previously mastered scenarios
Praising and supporting your child’s efforts
How will I know if it is working?
Your child is able to complete practice exercises with increasing ease
Your child expresses less fear towards practiced scenarios and real-life scenarios
Your child is more comfortable in situations they previously feared
Try it Yourself: How-to Guides and Other Resources
Anxiety Resources
Exposure Tracking Form (Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan): The exposure tracking form can help adults monitor and document daily potential exposures for their child.
Exposure Tracking Form: Hourly Exposure (Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan): The hourly exposure tracking form can help adults monitor and document hourly potential exposures for their child.
Fear Hierarchy Form (Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan): The fear heirarchy form is an exposure exercise to help children gradually face and overcome their fears.
Internal Cue Exposure for Panic Disorder (Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan): See the handout for interoceptive exposure exercises that can be used to help children toughen up against the possibility of having a panic attack.
Facing Fears Form (Anxiety Canada): See the form to help your child confront and manage their fears in a structured way that helps break down overwhelming anxieties into manageable steps.
