In Vivo exposure is a type of exposure therapy that directly exposes an individual to the anxiety-provoking situation, object, or activity.

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- In Vivo Exposure
- Imaginal Exposure
- Virtual Reality Exposure
- Interoceptive Exposure

Variations of Exposure Therapy



Psychology. (n.d.). APA Dictionary of Psychology. Retrieved July 20, 2022, from https://dictionary.apa.org/in-vivo-exposure


In Vivo Exposure Definition 

In Vivo Exposure



This component of ERP involves the patient imagining the trigger rather being directly exposed to it. This is used in place of exposure in vivo for triggers that may be harmful for the therapist to expose the patient to in real life. If for example the patient is afraid of being infected with a serious disease if they go to a park and don't immediately wash their hands, the therapist can't in vivo them getting infected by a grave disease to expose them to their fear so they must take an imaginal approach instead to decrease the fear of getting sick by going to a park.

Imaginal Exposure

Interoceptive exposure involves deliberately bringing on physical sensations that are harmless, yet feared. This allows for individuals to learn feared sensations are not dangerous. 


Interoceptive Exposure 


Virtual reality exposure therapy is a technique where a simulation is used to help individuals overcome their fears. This method is particularly useful when re-creating anxiety-provoking situations is impractical, costly, or embarrassing. By using a computer-generated environment, therapists can effectively treat numerous anxiety disorders, including the fear of public speaking, claustrophobia (fear of enclosed spaces), aviophobia (fear of flying), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

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