Climbing a bravery ladder

This resource introduces the concept of a ‘fear ladder’—a graded hierarchy that helps children gradually confront situations that provoke anxiety, progressing from more manageable scenarios to highly challenging ones.  

It uses the example of a character with a fear of dogs. 

References and Further Reading

  • May, A. C., Rudy, B. M., & Matson, J. L. (2013). Evidence-based behavioral treatment of dog phobia with young children: Two case examples. Behavior Modification, 37(1), 63–79. https://doi.org/10.1177/0145445512458524.
  • Fraire, M. G., Halldorsdottir, T., & Ollendick, T. H. (2017). Evidence-based interventions for specific phobias in children and adolescents. Handbook of evidence-based interventions for children and adolescents, 267-278.
  • Davis, T. E., Ollendick, T. H., & Öst, L.-G. (2019). One-session treatment of specific phobias in children: Recent developments and a systematic review. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 15, 233–256. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-050718-095608.
  • Flatt, N., & King, N. (2008). Building the Case for Brief Psychointerventions in the Treatment of Specific Phobias in Children and Adolescents. Behaviour Change, 25(4), 191–200. doi:10.1375/bech.25.4.191.
  • Foa, E. B., & Kozak, M. J. (1986). Emotional processing of fear: Exposure to corrective information. Psychological Bulletin, 99(1), 20–35. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.99.1.20.
  • Tolin, D. F. (2012). Face your fears: A proven plan to beat anxiety, panic, phobias, and obsessions. John Wiley & Sons.