When people seek treatment to alleviate anxiety symptoms, therapists often apply a series of gradual exposure exercises to assist their client in gradually opening themselves to situations which precipitate the symptoms. During these experiences, they gain confidence in their skills we teach and they begin to recognize that when exposed to stress, the symptoms of anxiety subside on their own simply by them being present as opposed to avoiding the feared situation. They regain a sense of self-efficacy, of trust that they themselves can effectively cope with the discomfort.

Merriam Webster defines trust as a noun: 1) assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something; 2) dependence on something future or contingent, hope and reliance. Merriam makes trust sound like a leap of faith. No wonder trust can be so frightening for some people.