systematic sensitization

• STEP ONE


  • SD begins with teaching the client a range of relaxation techniques, which will be applied at each stage of the therapy
  • the aim and purpose of mastering these relaxation techniques is that it will allow the client to establish a new stimulus-response link to the object of the phobia.
• STEP ONE


  • this is known as counter-conditioning because the client learns a new, more adaptive association, which replaces the old maladaptive response
  • this is also called reciprocal inhibition because the relaxation inhibits (prevents) the anxiety
• STEP TWO


  • with the help of the therapist, the client constructs their own individual anxiety hierarchy.
  • each step is a little more anxiety provoking.
• STEP TWO


  • this therapy would traditionally have taken place using in vivo desensitization - this is where the client would confront the object or situation associated with the phobia in real life.
  • in vitro desensitization has become the practice that is more common - this is where the client is asked to "imagine" the object or situation associated with the phobia.
• STEP THREE


  • the final step involves bringing the relaxation techniques and anxiety hierarchy together.
  • at each stage, the client masters the relaxation techniques and must demonstrate a calm, relaxed response before moving up a step.
• STEP THREE


  • SD is only complete when the process of classical conditioning has been successful, and the client is able to reach the top step of the anxiety hierarchy.
  • the client has unlearnt the maladaptive response to the fear and has replaced it with the more adaptive learnt response of calm and relaxation.