phobia treatment: systematic desentization

Question 1

the main features of it involve:

Answer 1

1) functional analysis: a conversation is had between therapist and client to understand the fear and its triggers.
2) develop an anxiety hierarchy- with the most frightening stimulus at the end and least at the other.
3) relaxation training- client is taught how to relax using methods that suit them best eg breathing or visualising being in a safe space.
4) gradual exposure- working with the agreed hierarchy, the stimulus is gradually introduced. the subject is made to relax at each stage of the hierarchy.

different forms of SD:
in vivo desntisation= actually exposed to the phobic stimulus
in vitro= imagines it
Menzies and clark found that in vivo techniques are more successful

Question 1

the aim of this therapy is to extinguish an undesirable behaviour fear by replacing it with a more desirable one: relaxation.

Question 2

evidence it works

Answer 2

wolf 1988 claims that 80-90% of patients are either apparently cured or much improved after an average of 25-30 sessions.
capons et al 1998 showed that its helpful to overcome fear of flying

Question 3

appropriate

Answer 3

:( it cannot treat all phobias. behavioural treatments such as these are less effective when treating phobias that have an underlying survival component such as fear of animals or dark. it could be that these deep rooted fears have enabled our ancestors to survive by keeping them out of danger.
therefore, it may be difficult to remove such fears that are there to increase our survival so this treatment would not work.
CA= that said, it can be appropriate for specific phobias that have been learnt. for example, fear of flying as it is not an instinctive phobia. therefore, it is dependent on the type of phobia the individual has.

Question 4

practical

Answer 4

:) considered practical. for example, it gives a clear rationale so the client can use it in their own setting in day to day life. therefore, the healthy associations are more likely to be maintained outside of clinical setting.
CA= that said, relaxation may only occur in the setting where the therapist is present. it may not be a valid treatment outside therapy if the patient is reliant on therapist to help them keep calm. therefore, not practical.

Question 5

ethical

Answer 5

:) it is an ethical treatment
it does not pose any significant ethical issues as the techniques employed ensure that the client is not exposed to any stressful situations. this is a strength because the client works with the therapist to create the hierarchy, and taught to relax as they work up to it.
therefore, this means there isn’t a risk of the phobia being strengthened or reinforced with more fear so this is effective as well as more ethical.