How is graded exposure designed in a CBT plan?

• A. One all-at-once exposure to the most distressing situation.
• B. Stepwise approach starting with low-distress tasks and gradually increasing.
• C. Avoidance of all exposure.
• D. Random stimulus with no plan.

Answer: (B)

Graded exposure uses a stepwise, hierarchical approach in CBT. It starts by building a fear hierarchy—situations or cues arranged from least to most distressing—and then begins with the least challenging exposure. The person repeats exposures at that level until their distress drops and they feel more in control, then progresses to the next higher item. This gradual buildup promotes habituation and new learning about feared outcomes, weakening avoidance and reducing anxiety over time. It avoids overwhelming the person with the most distressing triggers all at once and provides a structured, planned path rather than random, unsystematic exposure. That orderly progression from easy to harder exposures is what makes graded exposure design the best fit.