Behavioral tests rely on engaging in explicit learning experiences in order to examine and
modify beliefs (Dobson & Hamilton 2004). Exercises are designed to provide individuals with the
opportunity to uncouple their negative thoughts about a particular stimulus. Specific predictions
such as “Others will laugh at me,” “I will have a heart attack,” or “I will not be able to tolerate
the pain” can be tested with behavioral experiments in order to reduce negative interpretations of
ambiguous situations and to evaluate unrealistic expectations and unlikely outcomes. Alternatively,
individuals can be encouraged to develop and activate positive adaptive thoughts for dealing with
daily life events. In many cases, clinicians may find it appropriate to help individuals identify
and eliminate the use of safety behaviors. In certain instances, individuals who approach a feared
situation will attribute their ability to navigate the situation to the safety behavior (Wells et al.
1995). Clinicians can suggest behavioral experiments that explicitly require individuals to refrain
from using their safety behavior. Through guided discovery, individuals can learn that the use of
a particular safety behavior was unrelated to the nonoccurrence of a feared outcome.