Exposure Therapy in Albuquerque, NM

Exposure Therapy at Sandia Therapy and Wellness Center helps reduce anxiety, phobias, and fear responses.

Exposure Therapy helps you gradually face situations or thoughts that bring fear or anxiety. With guidance from a trained therapist or counselor, you’ll learn to reduce avoidance and build confidence in everyday life. This therapy is effective for treating phobias, OCD, and post-traumatic stress. In Albuquerque, clients often find Exposure Therapy provides a steady, supportive way to overcome fear and regain a sense of calm.

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What the Experts Say ABout Exposure Therapy

Exposure Therapy: What is it and How Can it Help?


Exposure therapy is a type of psychological therapy used to help people overcome problems such as phobias, panic attacks, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder. It involves exposing a person, in a safe environment, to the object, activity, or situation that they fear or struggle with.

When people are afraid of something, they tend to avoid it. While this may work in the short term, over time the fear may become worse and negatively impact a person's life.

Exposure therapy is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy. It can help break the cycle of avoidance and fear.


Click here to learn more on the Harvard Health Publishing website.

What is a Phobia?


A phobia is a persistent, excessive, unrealistic fear of an object, person, animal, activity, or situation. It is a type of anxiety disorder. A person with a phobia either tries to avoid the thing that triggers the fear, or endures it with great anxiety and distress.


The most common types of phobias:


  • Specific Phobia (simple phobia)
  • Social anxiety disorder (formerly called "social Phobia)
  • Agoraphobia


Click here to learn more on the Harvard Health Publishing website.

Exposure Therapy FAQs: Facing Fears and Building Confidence

Exposure therapy helps you gently face what feels overwhelming, one step at a time. These common questions explain how it works and how counseling in Albuquerque can support lasting change.

  • What does exposure therapy do?

    Exposure therapy helps reduce fear by gradually and safely facing the situations or thoughts that cause anxiety. Over time, repeated exposure helps the brain learn that the trigger isn’t as dangerous as it once seemed. This process builds confidence and emotional strength.

  • What are the three types of exposure therapy?

    The main types of exposure therapy are:

    • In vivo exposure – facing real-life feared situations
    • Imaginal exposure – revisiting distressing thoughts or memories in a controlled way
    • Interoceptive exposure – bringing on physical sensations (like rapid breathing) to reduce fear of bodily responses

    Therapists at Sandia Therapy and Wellness Center in Albuquerque tailor each type to your comfort and goals.

  • What is an example of exposure response therapy?

    Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), often used for OCD, might involve gradually touching a feared object like a doorknob and resisting the urge to wash your hands. This helps train the brain to feel less anxious over time without relying on compulsive behaviors.

  • When is exposure therapy not recommended?

    Exposure therapy may not be recommended for people with untreated dissociation, severe trauma history, or certain medical conditions. A therapist will always assess your readiness and adjust the approach to make sure it feels safe and supportive.

  • How successful is exposure therapy?

    Exposure therapy is highly effective for anxiety disorders, phobias, and OCD. Many people see significant improvement after consistent sessions. With the right guidance and support, it can lead to lasting relief.



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