Glossary
Exposure Therapy
Exposure therapy is a CBT-based intervention in which the client gradually approaches feared situations, memories, or sensations under the therapist's guidance until the feared response loses its grip. It is the gold-standard treatment for OCD, phobias, panic disorder, and PTSD.
Variants include in vivo exposure, imaginal exposure, interoceptive exposure (for panic), and prolonged exposure (PE) for PTSD. Exposure works through inhibitory learning rather than habituation: the brain learns the feared outcome did not occur, building competing safety associations.
Source: American Psychological Association — Exposure Therapy