History and theoretical underpinnings of exposure therapy

Abstract The practice of exposure therapy has evolved over time in conjunction with shifts in the theory that is used to explain how and why it is effective. The purpose of this chapter is to provide the reader with foundational knowledge of the history and theoretical underpinnings of exposure therapy so as to aid in successful treatment delivery. First, the theory and procedure of systematic desensitization, considered a precursor to modern exposure therapy, are presented. The habituation and inhibitory learning models of exposure therapy are then described. For each, we discuss how theory influences the clinical practice of exposure therapy under the given model. Lastly, we review some of the key considerations for conducting exposure therapy with children and adolescents as related to the inhibitory learning model.