When you are ready to start practice, read through the suggestions given here BEFORE practice, and DURING PRACTICE. If the things will be walking, shops, buses, trains, cinema and cafes, then you should read that particular section---others, like being alone at home are not covered, because they usually disappear once the problems of going out are overcome.

BEFORE PRACTICE 1. When you judge that he/she is ready to start a new item, take the initiative and make a firm suggestion about what it might be. Do not practice the same thing too many times before moving on. 2. However, the choice must be theirs - you cannot make them do something unless they are prepared to try. Remember the feelings vary from day to day - but if you both decide ,there is likely to be success. 3. An agoraphobic is in a better position than you to know which situations are more difficult ones - make suggestions but don't assume the answers without asking. 4. When he/she is hesitant about something, try to get him/her to agree to try the item. Reassure by suggesting several alternative arrangements to fall back on in case of difficulty - although things may turn out better than imagined. 5. Try to include some items which he/she can get on with practising when alone - even if you are around, near at hand, via phone, this helps to prevent him/her from being too dependant. 6. Watch out for 'excuses' to put off practice when she/he is alone, headaches etc., it may be true but firmly suggest to try something anyway, it may be housework - without making a big issue of it. 7. Complaining that practising brings tiredness and exhaustion is not surprising - you could encourage him/her to do regular 'keep-fit' exercises. Many symptoms of tiredness may be because of simply being 'out of condition'.

DURING PRACTICE 1. If you notice that he/she behaves in special ways when he/she is tense (rushing ahead too fast, talking or breathing too quickly etc.), encourage him/her to slow down and act more naturally. Comment when he/she does. 2. Talk about things which you might know are one of their interests when you are out together and encourage an interest in things around, shops etc., remember not to talk about feelings more than you have to. 3. Although you should have discussed and planned most practice sessions in advance, if things go well you can take the opportunity of suggesting something more difficult when you are out. Sometimes new things can be done more easily on impulse. 4. It is necessary to repeat an item several times, but you can still change it in little ways, alter the route or the time of day, so that he/she can get used to slightly different conditions. 5. When planning visits to the hairdresser or dentist etc., or just calling in on friends, it often helps if they are told in advance that he/she might feel unwell and wish to leave. If he/she knows he/she could leave, if he/she feels the need to there is less feeling of being trapped. 6. If tranquillisers have been taken, remember that tablets do not mix with alcohol. It is not wise to drive if both have been taken. 7. Always try to have arrangements agreed in case something goes wrong. Being available on the 'phone' is often useful, or using some method of contact with you or another person. If you have arranged to meet somewhere, decide what should be done if you miss each other - this does happen.

SUGGESTIONS FOR PRACTICE ITEMS The remaining pages cover common practice situations, like walking, shops, buses, trains, cinemas and cafes. In each, suggestions are made for practice items that you could use, arranged so that they are roughly in order of difficulty. If you are looking for practice items, in-between targets, then you should read through the appropriate sections. Obviously these are only suggestions - you should use what you need, add to them or leave out what you don't want. WALKING It often happens that walking with someone is easier than alone, in which case you can use the following items. 1. Walking together to the furthest point from home that he/she can manage. (Stay for a short while if possible before going back). 2. Repeat (1) with you following a short distance behind. 3. Walk around in a circle, going in opposite directions so that you pass in the middle. 4. Walk separately to an agreed place (make sure you both know where it is) by different routes, meeting at the furthest point from home. You should be there first. 5. He/she sets off first, you meet later at an agreed place and time (make sure this is understood and never frighten him/her by failing to do as you say you will. 6. Walking alone, with you at home (increasing distances). Other things apart from your presence may be important - how crowded it is, what the weather is like and so on. Particular places on roads, open spaces,- bridges etc. may be especially difficult. Look out for these, and arrange practice items for them in a similar way.

SHOPS Large crowded stores or supermarkets are usually the worst, in which case use the following items. 1. Go together to the target store at a quiet time. 2. Go in together, but split up inside for a while. 3. Wait outside (staying in sight) while he/she shops inside. 4. Go somewhere else for an agreed time while he/she stays in the store. 5. Gradually increase the time he/she is alone before meeting again. 6. He/she goes alone for shopping and back (check that he/she can go in all different parts of the store). 7. Repeat exercises at a busy time (Friday after-noon or Saturday).

Again there might be special individual difficulties to watch out for - queues, basements, escalators and so on. Special practice items would be needed for these.

BUSES Many people find buses difficult, but think that they need not bother with them, especially if they have a car. Buses are important and they are sometimes necessary. If in doubt, include them. If going alone is the most difficult, try the following items. 1. Walk to and wait at the bus stop (without getting on). 2. Go together on a very short trip (2-3 stops). Use tranquillisers at first, if needed.

IF THERE IS A CAR AVAILABLE 3. Put him/her on the bus and follow closely in the car, picking him/her up when he/she gets off. 4. He/she goes by bus, you go separately by car, and meet him/her at an agreed stop. IF THERE IS NOT A CAR AVAILABLE 5. Get on together but sit separately (out of sight). 6. He/she goes alone by bus, you go ahead (by foot or earlier bus) and meet at the stop agreed. 7. He/she goes by bus and returns alone (you could be 'around' or near a 'phone'). 8. Gradually extend bus journeys alone for longer distances.

TRAINS Similar to BUSES, examples include: 1. Go together on train one station and back. 2 Go together, but sit in separate carriages. 3. Travel separately (you go ahead by train or car) and meet at the station. 4. He/she goes both ways alone. 5. Extend gradually to longer journeys.

CINEMAS (or theatres, shows, meetings, church etc.) If this is a target, let him/her choose the film or meeting that she would enjoy most. Avoid delays before going in if possible. 1. Go together and sit where he/she can leave easily at back of the hall, end of row) at a quiet time. 2. If he/she is embarrassed about leaving, get him/her to go out briefly and come in again, just for practice. 3. Gradually move towards the centre of row, front of hall etc. In a cinema, this could be done between films in one visit. 4. Repeat when more crowded (Saturday evening).

CAFES Useful as somewhere to rest during practice, in town centres etc. similar practice to CINEMA. Let him/her choose a place he/she likes, and preferably avoid places where you have to wait.

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