gradual exposure

Slow fear confrontation

Gradual exposure is a therapeutic technique for overcoming fears or anxieties by introducing the feared object or situation in small, manageable steps.

A person afraid of dogs might first look at pictures, then watch dogs from a distance, then be near one, then touch one.

The method builds tolerance incrementally rather than confronting the fear all at once: Her therapist recommended gradual exposure to help with her flight anxiety.

Related

habituation · conditioning · systematic · phobia · anxiety · anxiety treatment · fear · baby steps · stepping · step by step · slow · gentle · progressive · therapy · little by little · comfort zone · safe space · acclimatize

Categories
Opposites
intensity/pacing of therapeutic approach

gradual exposureflooding

Overwhelming water accumulation

immersion · prolonged exposure · shock therapy · baptism by fire · cold turkey

approach to confronting challenges

gradual exposureimmersion

State of being submerged

baptism by fire · trial by fire · cold turkey · shock treatment · avoidance

approach to feared stimuli

gradual exposureavoidance

Deliberate keeping away

evasion · escape · withdrawal · aversion · shielding

Family

gradual, gradually, gradualness, grade, grades, graded, grading, gradient, gradients

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Used worldwide · Timeless · Rated G