As clinicians, we spend countless hours teaching others how to live alongside anxiety – not to eliminate it, but to respond to it with skill, self-compassion, and courage. But how often do we acknowledge when we are the ones doing the hard work of facing our fears?
This past summer, I had the opportunity to confront my own anxiety in a surprising and visceral way—on the steep cliffs of Drangey Island in Iceland. I returned home more grounded in the power of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and more committed than ever to helping both clinicians and clients break free from the grip of anxiety.
A Personal Exposure Story
My husband and I had planned a trip to Iceland, and one of the last excursions was a hike to see puffins on Drangey Island. What I hadn’t realized—until we stepped off the boat—was just how daunting the hike would be: a 180-meter climb up the face of a cliff, using ropes and ladders bolted into rock.
I have a history of anxiety, including a panic attack in high school. Like many of our clients, I know what it feels like to have your heart pounding, knees shaking, and thoughts racing. I also know that the key to long-term recovery isn’t avoidance—it’s exposure.
As I looked up at the climb, my immediate thought was: “I can’t do this.”
And then I did it anyway.
CBT in Action: From Panic to Mastery
The climb triggered a flood of anxious thoughts:
- What if I slip?
- What if I fall into the ocean below?
- What if my fear overtakes me?
I was a 9 out of 10 on the SUDS scale. But I reminded myself—this is the work. This is what I ask my clients to do, and what I train clinicians around the world to teach.
I didn’t distract myself or try to push away the feelings. I acknowledged them. I stayed with them. I kept going.
At the top, something remarkable happened: The anxiety began to fade. I tried to reactivate it—by looking over the edge, by tuning back into the danger thoughts—but I couldn’t. I had stayed with the fear long enough for my brain and body to learn: This is safe. You can do hard things.
Clinical Reflections: What This Means for Our Work
This wasn’t just a personal victory. It was a clinical reminder of the transformative power of exposure – when done with intention, repetition, and willingness. It also highlighted a truth we often shy away from as clinicians:
We are not immune to anxiety. But we are not powerless in the face of it either.
In fact, modeling this kind of work—naming our fears, moving toward discomfort, and choosing action—is one of the most powerful tools we have as therapists. When we engage in exposure ourselves, we deepen our empathy, sharpen our clinical intuition, and reinforce our own resilience.
For Clinicians: An Invitation
As we move into a new season of work and growth, I encourage you to reflect:
- What fears are showing up in your own life?
- Where might anxiety be limiting you?
- How can you apply the principles of CBT – not just in the therapy room, but in your lived experience?
Let’s keep doing this work together – not only as therapists, but as fellow travelers on the path toward freedom from anxiety.
If you’ve had your own “Drangey Island” moment – personally or professionally – I’d love to hear about it.