Safety behaviors & phobia maintenance
Identify avoidance and safety behaviors that keep fear going — prep for exposure.
When to use: Before exposure — identify behaviors that block fear habituation.
Identify avoidance and safety behaviors that keep fear going — prep for exposure. Use the worksheet in session or as homework. Preview the layout on the right — tap it or choose View full preview below for the complete on-screen version.
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Safety behaviors feel helpful but block learning that you can cope. List yours before exposure.
Phobia / feared situation
Safety behaviors (escape, distraction, alcohol, reassurance, etc.)
What fear predicts if I drop this safety behavior?
Experiment: drop one behavior on next exposure
Related resources
- Phobia & fearsPhobia fear ladderStepwise exposure for specific phobias (heights, blood, flying, animals) with SUDS ratings.
- Anxiety & worryExposure hierarchy (SUDS)Rank feared situations 0–100 and plan gradual steps — anxiety, OCD, and phobias.
- Anxiety & worryExposure session logLog each exposure practice: task, peak fear, duration, learning — separate from hierarchy planning.
- OCD & compulsionsERP exposure & response prevention logLog trigger, obsession, ritual, exposure task, and anxiety peak — core ERP homework.