You’ll stop organizing your entire day around what you’re afraid of. No more checking your phone obsessively, avoiding social situations, or letting intrusive thoughts run the show.
Exposure therapy retrains your brain to recognize that most of your fears aren’t actual threats. You learn to face situations that once felt impossible, building genuine confidence instead of just managing symptoms.
The relief isn’t temporary. Studies show that over 90% of people who complete exposure therapy see lasting improvement, with many maintaining their progress years later. This isn’t about willpower—it’s about retraining your brain’s alarm system.
The Anxiety and OCD Institute brings nationally recognized expertise to Wichita Falls, TX residents. Our team includes researchers who’ve shaped international treatment guidelines and published foundational books in the field.
What sets us apart is lived experience. Many of our clinicians have personally dealt with the same conditions they treat, giving them insight that goes beyond textbook knowledge. We understand the shame, the exhaustion, and the way anxiety rewrites your entire life.
We’ve been serving communities like Wichita Falls through both virtual and in-person care, understanding that North Texas residents need flexible, accessible options that fit their schedules and comfort levels.
First, you’ll work with your therapist to identify exactly what triggers your anxiety, panic, or compulsions. No guessing games. You’ll create a clear map of what you’re actually dealing with, from specific situations to physical sensations.
Then comes gradual exposure. You’ll face your fears in small, manageable steps, starting with situations that cause mild discomfort and working up. Your therapist guides you through each step, teaching you to stay present instead of escaping or avoiding.
Virtual reality exposure therapy options let you practice in completely controlled environments. Afraid of flying? You’ll experience takeoff and turbulence safely. Social anxiety? You’ll give presentations to virtual audiences before facing real ones. It’s like having a practice room for your fears.
Each session builds on the last. You’ll notice that situations which once felt overwhelming become manageable, then routine. The goal isn’t to eliminate all anxiety—it’s to stop letting fear make your decisions.
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You’ll receive exposure and response prevention (ERP) for OCD, prolonged exposure for PTSD, and specialized treatment for social anxiety and specific phobias. Virtual reality exposure therapy is available when traditional methods aren’t practical or safe.
Wichita Falls residents benefit from both telehealth and in-person options. Given the area’s significant veteran population—with military personnel 1.75 times higher than other regions—we offer specialized PTSD protocols that address combat-related trauma and military-specific triggers.
Treatment typically involves 8-15 sessions over three months, though intensive four-day options are available for those who need faster results. Each approach is personalized based on your specific symptoms, triggers, and goals—not a one-size-fits-all program.
The focus goes beyond symptom reduction. You’ll develop long-term skills to handle future challenges, with relapse prevention planning built into every treatment plan. This is about lasting change, not temporary relief.
Exposure therapy is considered the gold-standard treatment for anxiety disorders and OCD, with extensive research backing its effectiveness. Studies show that over 90% of people with specific phobias who complete exposure therapy see significant improvement.
For OCD, exposure and response prevention (ERP) is recommended as first-line treatment by the American Psychiatric Association. Research indicates that approximately two-thirds of patients experience meaningful symptom reduction, with many achieving full recovery.
The effects are long-lasting. Follow-up studies show that people maintain their improvements years after completing treatment, unlike medication-only approaches where symptoms often return when treatment stops. This makes it particularly valuable for Wichita Falls residents seeking permanent solutions.
Traditional talk therapy focuses on gaining insight into your problems through discussion and analysis. While this can be helpful for many conditions, research shows it’s not effective for anxiety disorders, OCD, or PTSD.
Exposure therapy takes a behavioral approach. Instead of talking about your fears, you systematically face them in controlled, gradual steps. This retrains your brain’s alarm system to recognize that most feared situations aren’t actually dangerous.
The key difference is measurable results. You’ll actually be able to do things you couldn’t do before—drive over bridges, attend social events, touch doorknobs without washing your hands. It’s about changing behavior, not just understanding it.
Research shows that virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) is as effective as traditional in-person exposure for many conditions. Studies comparing VRET to in-person treatment find similar improvement rates and long-term outcomes.
VRET offers unique advantages, especially for situations that are difficult or impossible to recreate safely. Combat veterans can experience realistic battlefield scenarios, people with flying phobias can practice takeoffs and landings, and those with social anxiety can give speeches to virtual audiences.
The controlled nature of VR allows for perfect repetition and gradual intensity increases that aren’t possible in real-world settings. Many people also find VR less intimidating as a starting point before moving to real-world exposures. It’s particularly beneficial for Wichita Falls residents who may have limited access to certain exposure opportunities.
Most people start noticing improvements within the first few sessions, though significant changes typically occur over 8-15 weekly sessions. The timeline depends on the severity of your symptoms and how consistently you practice between sessions.
For specific phobias, treatment can be even faster—sometimes just a few sessions are needed. OCD and PTSD generally require more time, usually 12-20 sessions, because these conditions involve more complex symptom patterns.
Intensive treatment options can accelerate progress. Some people benefit from concentrated exposure sessions over several days rather than spreading treatment across months. Your therapist will recommend the approach most likely to work for your specific situation and schedule.
You’ll likely experience increased anxiety during initial exposure sessions—this is completely normal and expected. The temporary increase in discomfort is actually a sign that the treatment is working and targeting the right fears.
Your therapist will start with manageable levels of exposure and teach you coping skills before introducing more challenging situations. You’ll never be thrown into your worst fear without preparation and support.
Most people find that while anxiety increases during exposures, it decreases more quickly than expected. This teaches your brain that anxiety is temporary and manageable, rather than something that will spiral out of control forever. The process is designed to be challenging but never overwhelming.
Yes, we specialize in prolonged exposure for PTSD, particularly for veterans dealing with combat-related trauma. Given Wichita Falls’ significant military population, we have extensive experience treating combat-specific triggers like helicopter sounds, crowded areas, or hypervigilance in public spaces.
Virtual reality exposure therapy can recreate military environments safely, allowing veterans to process traumatic memories without real-world risks. This is especially valuable for addressing situations that can’t be easily recreated in traditional therapy settings.
Treatment includes both imaginal exposure (recounting traumatic memories) and in-vivo exposure (gradually approaching avoided situations). The approach is specifically adapted for military culture and the unique challenges veterans face when transitioning to civilian life in North Texas.
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