Robert Frost on Anxiety & Exposure: “The best way out is always through.”

---

Explanation:

This quote reflects the core principle of exposure-based therapies, which emphasize that avoidance maintains anxiety, while gradual, repeated exposure reduces fear through habituation and inhibitory learning. Facing feared situations allows individuals to update threat expectations and build tolerance to distress.

---

Example:

A client with social anxiety begins by attending small gatherings, gradually increasing exposure to larger social situations, leading to reduced fear over time.

---

References:

Craske, M. G., et al. (2014). Maximizing exposure therapy. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 58, 10–23.

Foa, E. B., & Kozak, M. J. (1986). Emotional processing of fear. Psychological Bulletin, 99(1), 20–35.

---