Systematic exposure to avoided emotions in real situations using all UP skills: mindful awareness, cognitive flexibility, and opposite action.
Step-by-step guide
- Build a hierarchy of situations that evoke the avoided emotion
- Begin with a moderate item, around 4-6 out of 10
- Prepare skills before entering exposure
- Enter the situation without safety behaviors
- Notice emotion, breathe, and stay
- Process what happened and whether predictions matched reality
- Move gradually up the hierarchy
When to use
- Module 7
- After modules 2-6 have been practiced
- When avoidance of emotion maintains the disorder
Key phrases
Which emotion are you ready to practice approaching?
Follow-up questions
Which safety behavior needs to be removed?
What did you predict would happen?
What happened when you stayed?
Alternative phrasings
Exposure is not punishment; it is learning through contact.
Warnings
- ⚠️ Exposure without preparation may be destabilizing
- ⚠️ Confirm that the client is using skills rather than white-knuckling
Source: Barlow et al. 2018
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.