Lesson 1Session-block goals: stabilization/engagement, skill-building (CBT core skills), exposure/interoceptive work, relapse preventionThis part sets goals for session groups, like steadying and joining, core CBT skills, facing and body work, and backslide stops, with ways to measure and shift phases.
Stabilization and early engagement goalsSkill-building block: core CBT skillsExposure and interoceptive work blockRelapse prevention and consolidation blockCriteria for moving between treatment phasesLesson 2Skill modules: diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, grounding, sleep optimization and activity schedulingThis part details key skills, like belly breathing, muscle relax, grounding, sleep fixes, and task plans, stressing practice and mixing with facing work.
Teaching diaphragmatic breathing skillsProgressive muscle relaxation trainingGrounding skills for acute anxiety spikesSleep hygiene and optimization methodsActivity scheduling to support recoveryLesson 3Relapse prevention and maintenance strategies: creating personalized relapse plans, booster session timing, and long-term self-monitoringThis part covers backslide stops and upkeep, with personal plans, early signs, booster times, long self-checks, and ways to handle worry flares well.
Identifying personal relapse risk factorsDesigning written relapse prevention plansScheduling booster and follow-up sessionsLong-term self-monitoring of symptomsResponding to setbacks and flare-upsLesson 4Treatment structure and session sequencing: recommended 12–16 session roadmap and rationale for order of targetsThis part maps a 12–16 session path, phases, why order targets so, balancing facing with skills, and flex ways while keeping core parts.
Overview of 12–16 session treatment phasesCriteria for selecting initial treatment targetsRationale for ordering exposure and skillsBalancing structure with clinical flexibilityMonitoring progress and adjusting the planLesson 5Interoceptive exposure protocol: steps, common exercises, hierarchy development, and safety instructionsThis part gives a body facing protocol, checking feared feelings, step lists, usual exercises, safety checks, and review after each try.
Assessing feared bodily sensationsDeveloping an interoceptive hierarchyCore interoceptive exposure exercisesMedical screening and safety guidanceDebriefing and consolidating exposure gainsLesson 6Adaptations for high avoidance or low adherence: motivational interviewing, session pacing, behavioral activation, use of between-session support, and brief phone coachingThis part covers tweaks for strong dodging or poor follow-through, like motivation talk, pacing facing, action boosts, home support, and quick call or digital coaching.
Identifying barriers to engagementUsing motivational interviewing techniquesAdjusting exposure intensity and pacingBehavioral activation to increase approachBetween-session support and brief coachingLesson 7Psychoeducation and motivational enhancement: explaining diagnosis, rationale for exposure, addressing ambivalence and readinessThis part covers teaching and motivation boost, clear diagnosis talk, why facing works, tackling doubts and myths, and checking change readiness for joint goals.
Explaining anxiety diagnoses clearlyPresenting the CBT and exposure rationaleAddressing fears and treatment mythsAssessing readiness and stages of changeCollaborative goal setting with patientsLesson 8Worry-focused interventions for GAD: stimulus control for worry, cognitive defusion, problem-solving training, and intolerance of uncertainty techniquesThis part hits worry fixes for constant worry, like worry time control, thought letting go, problem steps, and uncertainty tools to cut endless worry.
Assessing worry patterns and triggersStimulus control strategies for worryCognitive defusion and distancing toolsStructured problem-solving training stepsTechniques for intolerance of uncertaintyLesson 9In vivo exposure for elevator phobia: hierarchy construction, graded approach, therapist-supported vs. self-directed exposure, and use of VR or imaginal exposure if neededThis part details real-life lift facing, checks, step building, graded steps, guided vs solo, and VR or mind facing for limits.
Functional assessment of elevator fearsConstructing a detailed exposure hierarchyDesigning graded in vivo exposure stepsTherapist-assisted versus self-directed plansUsing VR or imaginal exposure when neededLesson 10Cognitive interventions: cognitive restructuring, worry time scheduling, worry scripts, behavioral experiments for catastrophic beliefsThis part reviews thought fixes, like reframe disasters, set worry time, worry tales, and action tests, mixed with facing tools.
Identifying and tracking anxious thoughtsCognitive restructuring step by stepScheduling and running daily worry timeDesigning and using worry scriptsBehavioral experiments for catastrophic beliefsLesson 11Exposure for panic-related avoidance and agoraphobia: situational exposures, homework structuring, and managing anticipatory anxietyThis part explains facing for panic dodging and open fear, mapping spots, task design, homework setup, pre-anxiety handling, and fixing real-life snags.
Mapping panic triggers and avoided placesDesigning situational exposure exercisesStructuring and reviewing exposure homeworkManaging anticipatory anxiety before tasksTroubleshooting avoidance and safety behaviors
