Can rewiring fear expectations stop anxiety from coming back?

This study tests whether a new form of exposure therapy, called Expectancy Focused Exposure (EFE), can reduce anxiety symptoms and prevent fear from returning more effectively than traditional exposure therapy. Adults with anxiety disorders—such as social anxiety, panic disorder, generalized anxiety, or specific phobias—will receive either EFE or standard exposure therapy over about 10 weekly sessions. Researchers will track their anxiety levels before, during, and after treatment, and at 6, 12, and 18 months later, to see if EFE leads to longer-lasting improvement.