Fear hierarchy

A fear hierarchy is a step-by-step plan used in therapy to help someone overcome fears. It starts with identifying situations that cause anxiety, ranked from least to most frightening. The individual gradually faces these fears, beginning with the least intimidating, building confidence along the way. This systematic exposure helps reduce anxiety responses over time through controlled, repeated experiences. Essentially, it’s a structured approach to desensitizing fears, making them more manageable, and enabling a person to confront and cope with feared situations more effectively.