ao1

• what is systematic desensitisation

  a behavioural therapy deigned to gradually reduce phobic anxiety through the principle of classical conditioning. teaching the patient to relax in the presence of the phobic stimulus.

  counterconditioning
• what are the three processes involves in sd

  anxiety hierarchy: put together with client and therapist. least to most frightening.

  relaxation: therapist teaches client how to relax as deeply as possible - it is impossible to be afraid and relaxed at the same time, one emotion prevents the other (reciprocal inhibition) can be achieved by breathing exercises or meditation or drugs such as valium

  exposure: client is exposed to the phobic stimulus while in a relaxed state
• what is flooding

  exposing people to their phobic stimulus without gradual build-up.
• how does flooding work

  stops phobic responses very quickly. there is no option of avoidance so the client quickly learns that the phobic stimulus is harmless. In classical conditioning this process is called extinction
• what must be done before flooding takes place

  the client must give full informed consent to this traumatic procedure .