What are the intended outcomes of REBT-Exposure?

• A. Increase fear and avoidance.
• B. Survival of the fear, increased confidence in coping, and greater tolerance for discomfort.
• C. Eliminate fear instantly.
• D. Replace fear with anger.

Answer: (B)

Exposure in REBT helps clients confront feared situations to reduce distress through firsthand experience. By facing the fear repeatedly, people tend to survive the exposure, which lowers the alarm reaction over time. This process builds confidence in one’s ability to cope and increases tolerance for the discomfort that comes with anxiety. The goal is not to make fear disappear instantly but to weaken the fear response and expand what the person can endure while maintaining functioning.

It wouldn’t be about making fear worse or avoiding the situation more, and it isn’t about eliminating fear right away or replacing it with anger. The emphasis is on enduring, coping, and learning that the feared outcomes aren’t as dangerous as believed.