Treating Phobias

Question 1

What is systematic desensitisation based on?

Answer 1

Based on classical conditioning (as it uses counter conditioning)

Question 2

Outline what happens during systematic desensitisation.

Answer 2

1. Client is taught relaxation techniques (such as breathing techniques)
2. Client creates a fear hierarchy - from least to most feared scenario/situation
3. Client progresses through fear hierarchy - client can only progress between levels when they are calm.

Question 3

In what ways can exposure occur for systematic desensitisation?

Answer 3

in vitro - imagining scenarios

in vivo - client actually exposed to stimuli