Exposure therapy is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) often used in the treatment of situational phobias. Exposure therapy involves gradually exposing a person to the feared situation in a safe, secure environment. For example, an individual may first be told to imagine the feared situation, then be shown pictures of the feared situation, then take steps toward participating in the situation, and then finally actually participate in the situation. The process of gradually exposing the person to the feared situation helps to desensitize the person to the situation and thus reduce the fear associated with it.
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