A 28-year-old client with a diagnosis of Avoidant Personality Disorder tells the nurse, "I want to make friends. I'm too afraid they'll laugh at me or think I'm weak." Which nursing intervention is most appropriate to help this client begin developing healthier interpersonal relationships?

Encourage the client to explore childhood experiences that may have caused these fears.

Reassure the client that everyone feels insecure sometimes and they are overthinking the situation.

Advise the client to start attending large events to desensitize themselves to rejection.

Assist the client in identifying and challenging negative self-beliefs through gradual social exposure.