Helping clients make difficult decisions and take on challenges is one of the toughest parts of being a therapist. In this video, we’re sharing practical, actionable tools to guide your clients in choosing the harder path, overcoming avoidance, and committing fully to their decisions. Through these strategies, you’ll empower them to grow their confidence and live well with anxiety—because life doesn’t wait for anxiety to disappear. Watch the video to learn how you can help your clients tackle the tough stuff, embrace growth, and live well with anxiety. Don’t forget to explore our other resources for more therapist-focused tips and strategies!
Want to learn how to support your clients in doing harder things? Learn more about CBT for Anxiety and OCD here.
Video Takeaways & Timestamps
0:00 – Why Doing the Harder Thing Matters
Explore the common challenge therapists face: helping clients tackle tough decisions and lean into discomfort.
2:00 – Understanding the Brain and Avoidance
Learn why anxiety drives avoidance and how these strategies build on foundational skills you’ve already introduced.
5:45 – Strategy 1: Helping Clients Make Confident Decisions
Guide clients to break free from the “right answer” trap and confidently commit to their choices without second-guessing.
9:20 – Strategy 2: Choosing the Harder Path
Teach clients how choosing the harder option fosters resilience, personal growth, and a broader sense of what they can handle.
14:00 – Strategy 3: The 100% Rule
Show clients how to be fully committed to their decisions, avoiding hesitation or backtracking, to gain clarity and reduce anxiety.
18:00 – Real-Life Example: Iceland Travel Challenges
Hear how we applied these strategies during an Icelandic road trip, navigating tough weather and uncertain outcomes.
23:30 – Revisiting Past Panic: Overcoming Fear of Heights
A personal story of revisiting a panic-inducing experience to rewrite the narrative and retrain the brain.
29:15 – Application for Clients: Living Well with Anxiety
Practical ways to encourage clients to embrace life and challenges, even in the presence of anxiety.
31:00 – Conclusion: Helping Clients Thrive
Final reflections on integrating these tools into therapy to empower clients to grow, take risks, and live fully.