puts phobic person in a situation where they would be forced to face their phobia
this unescapable exposure to the feared stimulus lasts until fear response disappears. there is a limit to how long the body can sustain a fear response
this suggest as physical fear response reduces e.g. heart rate so will high levels of anxiety linked to situation. hence, previously learned association is extinguished since phobic item is not leading to anxiety
it is usually done with vivo exposure which is actually presenting feared stimulus
it can also be done using imagery which is known as vitro exposure that can be referred to implosion therapy
