The Anxiety-Avoidance Cycle
An illustrated psychoeducation worksheet showing how avoidance and safety behaviours bring short-term relief but strengthen anxiety, with a table of personal costs and a first step.
2-page fillable PDF · US Letter (prints on A4) · Psychoeducation
- Approach / concern
- Anxiety & Panic
- Technique
- Psychoeducation
- Format
- Fillable PDF, 2 pages (US Letter / A4)
- Access
- Pro and Advanced plans (3-day free trial)
- For
- Licensed clinicians to use with clients
- Updated
- October 2026
Key facts
What is the The Anxiety-Avoidance Cycle?
Avoidance and escape reduce anxiety in the short term, which negatively reinforces them, but they prevent people from learning that feared outcomes are unlikely or manageable. Safety behaviours have a similar effect. This cycle maintains most anxiety disorders.
Why it works
Cognitive-behavioural accounts emphasize the role of avoidance and safety behaviours in maintaining anxiety and panic (Salkovskis, 1991). Exposure-based CBT, which reverses avoidance, is highly effective (Craske & Barlow, 2006).
When to use it
- Any anxiety disorder
- Before building an exposure ladder
- Psychoeducation for families who accommodate anxiety
- Teens and adults
How to use it in session
- Explain the cycle with a common example.
- Identify personal avoidance patterns.
- List short-term relief and long-term costs.
- Choose a small first step.
- Build a graded exposure ladder.
Clinician tips
- Validate that avoidance makes sense in the moment.
- Include subtle avoidance and safety behaviours.
- Start exposure with manageable steps.
Worked example
Sharing with clients
Members can download the PDF to print or email, or copy a private client link from the download box. Your client opens the link and downloads the worksheet on any device. No client account is needed, and nothing your client writes is stored on TherapyAid.
Frequently asked questions
Isn’t avoiding anxiety-provoking situations self-care?
Sometimes rest and boundaries are healthy. But avoiding things that matter to you because of anxiety tends to make anxiety grow.
How do I stop avoiding?
Gradually, with planned steps that are challenging but doable, often with a therapist’s support.
References
Salkovskis, P. M. (1991). The importance of behaviour in the maintenance of anxiety and panic: A cognitive account. Behavioural Psychotherapy, 19(1), 6-19.
Craske, M. G., & Barlow, D. H. (2006). Mastery of your anxiety and panic: Therapist guide (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.
This worksheet is an educational tool for use by, or under the guidance of, a licensed or registered mental-health professional. It is not a diagnostic instrument or a substitute for clinical judgement. If a client is in crisis in Canada, call or text 9-8-8 or call 9-1-1.
