That's pretty much exactly what CBT is, which we already know is effective and is already relevant as a "mainstream" treatment for mental illness ("have you see

That's pretty much exactly what CBT is, which we already know is effective and is already relevant as a "mainstream" treatment for mental illness ("have you seen a therapist?"). I think coming to the point where you're ready to "face your fears" may be the real difficulty, and not just because people are lazy, stupid, or "coddled". On the contrary, we as humans are really smart. The mind has developed complex strategies exactly for avoiding dealing with your fears.