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Avoidance

32 techniques · 17 approaches
ACT
Choice Point
Choice Point
A model by Russ Harris. At any moment there is a choice point: move toward values or move away from discomfort. The technique helps the clie…
Adlerian
Life Tasks Assessment
Life Tasks Assessment
A systematic assessment of Adler's three (or five) life tasks: work, friendship, love (+ relationship with oneself, existential meaning). Th…
Adlerian
The Question
The Question
A classic diagnostic question: "If I could wave a magic wand and your symptom disappeared tomorrow morning — what would change in your life?…
BA
Avoidance Hierarchy
Avoidance Hierarchy
A Behavioral Activation technique focused on avoidance hierarchy. It helps the therapist and client move from depressive withdrawal, avoidan…
CBT
Behavioral Activation
Behavioral Activation
A behavioral treatment strategy for depression that increases contact with reinforcing activities. It begins from the observation that low m…
CBT
Behavioral Experiment
Behavioral Experiment
A planned real-world test of a belief. The client states a prediction, designs a safe experiment, performs it, and compares prediction with …
CBT
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Cost-Benefit Analysis
A structured examination of the advantages and disadvantages of a belief, behavior or change. It is useful when ambivalence maintains avoida…
CBT
Graded Exposure
Graded Exposure
A step-by-step behavioral technique for reducing fear and avoidance. The client builds a hierarchy of feared situations, starts with managea…
CBT
Intermediate Beliefs
Intermediate Beliefs
Work with rules, assumptions and attitudes that sit between automatic thoughts and core beliefs. They often sound like "If I do not perform …
CFT
Compassionate Exposure
Compassionate Exposure
An adaptation of classical exposure in CFT: the client meets avoided situations, emotions, or memories from the position of the compassionat…
DBT
Opposite Action
Opposite Action
When the emotion does not fit the facts of the situation — do the action opposite to the urge that the emotion produces. Fear says "flee" — …
EMDR
Phobia Protocol
Phobia Protocol
A specialized protocol for processing specific phobias on the basis of the three-pronged protocol. A phobia often has an original traumatic …
ERT
Experiential Exposure (ERT)
Experiential Exposure (ERT)
Experiencing avoided emotions in session while using ERT skills: motivational awareness, decentering, sensory awareness, regulatory flexibil…
Längle
Working with Coping Reactions
Working with Coping Reactions
Each of the four fundamental motivations, when blocked, generates predictable defensive reactions. The therapist recognizes the type of reac…
MBCT
Allowing/Letting Be Meditation / Turning Toward Difficulty
Allowing/Letting Be Meditation / Turning Toward Difficulty
The participant deliberately recalls a difficult situation and directs attention to the body sensations linked to it, applying the stance of…
MBCT
Mindful Movement / Mindful Yoga
Mindful Movement / Mindful Yoga
Gentle movements (simple yoga poses, stretches, bends) are performed slowly and with full attention to body sensations. The aim is not flexi…
MCT
Maladaptive Coping Strategy Modification
Maladaptive Coping Strategy Modification
In MCT coping strategies (avoidance, search for reassurance, checking behavior, neutralization) are seen as maintained by meta-beliefs. The …
PE
Identifying and Eliminating Safety Behaviors
Identifying and Eliminating Safety Behaviors
A Prolonged Exposure technique for working with PTSD through structured activation of trauma reminders, reduction of avoidance, and careful …
PE
In Vivo Avoidance Hierarchy Construction
In Vivo Avoidance Hierarchy Construction
A PE technique for approaching safe real-life trauma reminders step by step, using a hierarchy and SUDS ratings to reverse avoidance.
PE
In Vivo Exposure
In Vivo Exposure
A PE technique for approaching safe real-life trauma reminders step by step, using a hierarchy and SUDS ratings to reverse avoidance.
PE
Managing In-Session Avoidance
Managing In-Session Avoidance
A Prolonged Exposure technique for working with PTSD through structured activation of trauma reminders, reduction of avoidance, and careful …
PE
Psychoeducation about PTSD and PE Rationale
Psychoeducation about PTSD and PE Rationale
A Prolonged Exposure technique for working with PTSD through structured activation of trauma reminders, reduction of avoidance, and careful …
PST
Avoidance Style Training
Avoidance Style Training
A Problem-Solving Therapy technique focused on avoidance style training. It helps the therapist and client turn an emotionally loaded diffic…
REBT
High Frustration Tolerance Training / Disputing LFT
High Frustration Tolerance Training / Disputing LFT
Low frustration tolerance (LFT) — the belief that discomfort is unbearable and impossible. It sustains avoidance, procrastination, addiction…
REBT
Risk-Taking / In Vivo Desensitization
Risk-Taking / In Vivo Desensitization
A behavioral technique: the client performs an action they have been avoiding because of fear of failure, judgment, or discomfort. Ellis pre…
TF-CBT
Gradual Exposure
Gradual Exposure
A TF-CBT technique for helping a child or adolescent process trauma with developmentally appropriate skills, caregiver support, and gradual …
TF-CBT
In Vivo Mastery of Trauma Reminders
In Vivo Mastery of Trauma Reminders
A TF-CBT technique for helping a child or adolescent process trauma with developmentally appropriate skills, caregiver support, and gradual …
UP
Countering Emotion-Driven Behaviors
Countering Emotion-Driven Behaviors
Identifying emotion-driven behaviors and deliberately choosing actions that move against avoidance, withdrawal, checking, reassurance-seekin…
UP
Emotion Exposure
Emotion Exposure
Systematic exposure to avoided emotions in real situations using all UP skills: mindful awareness, cognitive flexibility, and opposite actio…
UP
Exposure Hierarchy Construction
Exposure Hierarchy Construction
Creating a graded list of situations, sensations, or emotions that the client avoids, ranked by expected distress.
UP
Functional Analysis of Avoidance
Functional Analysis of Avoidance
Analyzing emotional avoidance in terms of triggers, short-term relief, long-term consequences, and the values or goals it blocks.
Yalom
Paradoxical Intention
Paradoxical Intention
The client deliberately intensifies the feared symptom instead of avoiding it: in panic — "I'll try to feel the maximum fear"; in insomnia —…
Materials are informational and educational and summarize publicly available scientific sources. They are not medical or psychological advice, are not intended for self-diagnosis or self-treatment, and do not replace consultation with a qualified professional.