an ethical strength of SD is that anyone who decides to go through this process will be of soundmind, and able to provide informed consent
valid consent - example
clients usually seek help from a therapist for a specific phobia and as such are usually of "healthy mind."
therefore, they are able to understand the process of SD and are able to give their valid consent to participate
valid consent - explain
the client is able to withdraw from the therapy at any point during the process, and the introduction of relaxation techniques means clientsrarely feel distress
valid consent - link
this reinforces that SD is ethical with regard to consent
relationship - point
SD is more ethical than any other therapeutic approach because of this equitable relationship between the therapist and the client
relationship - example
SD increases the individual's feelings of control, and the role of the therapist is to guide and help the client; however, they do not play the central role in the therapy process, unlike other therapeutic approaches, such as dream analysis
relationship - explain
this means that the therapy puts the client at the heart of it, and they are able to dictate the pace of the therapy and are not coerced in any way
relationship - link
as a result, the risk of dependence on the therapist or attribution of success to the therapist is far lower as the therapist is external to the therapy, and is therefore a more ethical approach to treatment.