Gradual Exposure

Definition

Gradual exposure refers to a therapy technique in which individuals are slowly and systematically exposed to feared situations or objects in order to reduce their anxiety or phobias. This process allows individuals to gradually confront their fears and learn that they can tolerate the anxiety without any harm occurring.

Related terms

Systematic Desensitization:

A therapeutic technique similar to gradual exposure where individuals are gradually exposed to feared stimuli while simultaneously learning relaxation techniques.

Flooding:

A therapy approach where individuals are exposed to intense levels of their feared stimuli all at once, rather than gradually increasing exposure.

Counterconditioning:

A treatment method that pairs a feared stimulus with a positive response or emotion in order to replace negative associations with positive ones.