The Exposure Practice Form is a CBT worksheet which guides therapists and clients through exposure to a feared stimulus.
Offers theory, guidance, and prompts for mental health professionals. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.
Includes client-friendly guidance. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.
An editable Microsoft PowerPoint version of the resource.
Exposure therapy is a well-established and effective treatment method for various types of anxiety disorders. It involves gradually and systematically exposing individuals to the sources of their anxiety in a controlled and supportive environment, allowing them to confront their fears. The Exposure Practice Form is a valuable tool used in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) that helps both therapists and clients facilitate and learn from exposure exercises.
Exposure therapy can help clients overcome their fears. This form helps clients:
Exposure to specific objects or situations.
Exposure to anxiety-provoking social situations.
Exposure to panic attack triggers.
Begin with identifying the feared stimulus or situation.
Document specific anxious predictions and corresponding distress levels.
Engage in the exposure exercise, recording subjective units of distress (SUDS) at regular intervals.
In the outcome section, reflect on what occurred and any cognitive or emotional shifts.
Use insights gained to plan further exposures or therapeutic interventions.
Exposure is an effective treatment for many forms of fear or anxiety. The Exposure Practice Form guides a patient through the steps of an effective trial of exposure. It encourages a reflective focus on the beliefs (cognitions) which are being tested by the exposure practice as well as recording of subjective units of distress (SUDS). Exposure trials which lead to violation of prior expectancies have been found to make exposure therapy more effective (Craske et al, 2014) and this worksheet's focus on cognitions enhances the likelihood of such learning taking place.
