Question
has anyone in the group ever done exposure therapy with someone who is trained, with a therapist? Can anyone answer the question how they help you take the step you fear??
@FrozenGhost
Yes, I did. Thank you for reaching out and asking about exposure therapy with a trained therapist. It's great that you're curious about this form of treatment. While I cannot provide personal experiences as a listener, I can share some information on how exposure therapy typically helps individuals take the step they fear.
Exposure therapy is a type of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) commonly used to treat anxiety disorders, phobias, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Its primary goal is to reduce fear and anxiety responses associated with specific triggers or situations. Here's how it generally works:
Collaborative Planning: The therapist works closely with you to identify the specific fear or trigger that you want to address. Together, you establish a hierarchy of fear-inducing situations or stimuli, ranging from least to most anxiety-provoking.
Gradual Exposure: Exposure therapy involves gradually exposing you to the feared situations or stimuli in a controlled and supportive environment. Initially, you may start with less intense exposures and gradually progress towards more challenging ones.
Systematic Desensitization: During each exposure, the therapist helps you manage your anxiety using various relaxation techniques or coping strategies. By gradually facing your fear, you have the opportunity to learn that the anxiety diminishes over time, and the situation is not as threatening as initially perceived.
Cognitive Restructuring: Alongside exposure, the therapist assists you in challenging and reframing negative thoughts and beliefs associated with the fear. This process helps to create more realistic and balanced thinking patterns.
Reinforcement and Support: Throughout the therapy process, the therapist provides encouragement, validation, and support to help you stay motivated and continue facing your fears. They may also provide additional guidance or strategies to manage any difficulties that arise during exposure.
It's important to note that exposure therapy is highly individualized and tailored to each person's needs. The pace and intensity of exposures are determined collaboratively between you and the therapist. The overall aim is to gradually build confidence and reduce anxiety responses, enabling you to overcome the fear or phobia that has been impacting your daily life.
If you're considering exposure therapy, it's recommended to consult with a licensed mental health professional who specializes in this form of treatment. They can provide a comprehensive evaluation and guide you through the therapeutic process.
Feel free to reach out to me if you have any further questions 😊
@Mya000
Thank you for taking the time to reply and provide all this info. However, all this info is available to anyone who bothers to do a Google search on this topic. I know all about this therapy, but what I'm asking is how the therapist helps you take a step you fear. I need someone's personal experience, not generic info. That's why I reached out. Lots of listeners have told me that this type of therapy really helped them, but not one person can explain how it helped. What could a therapist or indeed anyone possibly say or do to make someone do something they fear? Wouldn't that individual already have to be able to take that step themselves? Because I can't take it. I have never ever been able to do something I fear and I just desperately want to know exactly how a therapist could make me?
@FrozenGhost
Thank you for reaching out and expressing your thoughts. I understand your frustration with the generic information you've come across about the therapy you're interested in. It's natural to seek personal experiences to gain a deeper understanding of how something works in practice. I apologize if my previous response fell short of your expectations.
In terms of how a therapist can help you take a step you fear, it's important to remember that therapy is a highly individualized process. While I can't provide you with a specific personal experience, I can shed some light on how therapists generally approach helping individuals overcome their fears.
A skilled therapist creates a safe and supportive environment where you can explore your fears and anxieties at your own pace. They will work with you to identify the underlying causes of your fear and develop strategies to gradually face it. It's important to note that therapists don't aim to force or make you do something you're not ready for. Instead, they guide and empower you to challenge your fears and develop coping mechanisms.
Through various therapeutic techniques, such as CBT or exposure therapy, a therapist helps you examine your thoughts, emotions, and behaviours associated with the fear. They may help you reframe negative beliefs, teach relaxation techniques to manage anxiety, or gradually expose you to situations that trigger your fear in a controlled manner.
The therapeutic relationship itself plays a crucial role. By building trust and rapport, a therapist can support you in developing the necessary skills and confidence to take steps towards facing your fear. They provide guidance, encouragement, and a non-judgmental space to explore your concerns.
It's important to remember that everyone's journey is unique, and what works for one person may not work exactly the same for another. Therapy is a collaborative process, and it requires active participation and commitment from both the therapist and the individual seeking help.
I hope this explanation clarifies the role of a therapist in helping individuals overcome their fears. If you have any further questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out.
@Mya000
Thank you, yes. This definitely clarifies the role of the therapist and confirms for me that seeing one would not help me. All help is self help, so the saying goes and based on your words here, that seems to be true. I don't need a "safe space" to explore my fears. I know the underlying cause of them and why I struggle with them today. All those 'strategies" you mentioned, CBT, reframing negative thinking, exposure therapy, relaxation techniques (deep breathing, grounding, mindfulness etc.). I've tried them all and none have helped me. Like you said, no therapist can "make you do something you're not ready for", in other words, none of them can make you do something you don't already know how to do. I need a teacher, not a cheerleader. I hope I can find one here at 7cups.
Thanks again!
@FrozenGhost I understand your perspective, and it's important to find an approach that resonates with you. It's true that self-help plays a significant role in personal growth and overcoming challenges. If you feel confident in your understanding of the underlying causes of your fears and have explored various strategies without success, seeking a different type of support can be a valid approach. 7 Cups offers a diverse community of listeners who may provide support based on their own experiences.