Exposure Timer with SUDS: How Therapists Track Exposure Practice

Why Use an Exposure Timer?

Exposure practice needs structure. A timer helps the therapist and client stay oriented to the plan, record distress checkpoints, and review what was learned.

In ERP and anxiety treatment, the timer should be used after the exposure target, response prevention rule, and safety boundaries are clear.

CoralEHR's free Exposure Timer lets clinicians track duration, SUDS ratings, response prevention notes, and exportable summaries.

What to Track

A practical exposure record includes:

• exposure target
• feared prediction
• response prevention rule
• start SUDS
• peak SUDS
• checkpoint SUDS
• ending SUDS
• duration
• learning notes
• homework or next step

SUDS ratings are useful, but they are not the only outcome. Learning, willingness, reduced avoidance, and response prevention success also matter.

Response Prevention

For ERP, the response prevention rule should be concrete.

Examples:

• no reassurance seeking
• no checking more than once
• no handwashing for 10 minutes
• no mental reviewing
• no avoidance of the feared sensation

Without a clear response prevention rule, the exposure may accidentally become ritual practice.

Documentation Example

Use documentation that ties timing to learning:

Therapist guided in-session exposure practice for checking-related OCD target. Client completed 12-minute exposure with response prevention rule of no rechecking. SUDS started at 55/100, peaked at 70/100, and ended at 42/100. Client identified feared prediction did not occur and noted urge to seek reassurance decreased after repeated practice. Homework assigned with same response prevention rule and safety parameters reviewed.

Avoid treating the timer as the clinician:

Timer indicated exposure was complete.

Completion and pacing are clinical decisions.

Try the Free Exposure Timer

Use CoralEHR's free Exposure Timer with the Exposure Hierarchy Builder, Panic Attack Plan, GAD-7, and CY-BOCS.