The behavioural approach to treating phobias
Systematic Desensitisation
Systematic desensitization (SD) is a behavioural therapy designed to gradually reduce phobic anxiety
through the principle of classical conditioning. If the sufferer can learn to relax in the presence of the
phobic stimulus they will be cured and a new response to the phobic stimulus is learned (relaxation
instead of anxiety). This learning of a different response is called counterconditioning. It is
impossible to be afraid and relaxed at the same time, so one emotion prevents the other. This is
called reciprocal inhibition.
There are 3 processes involved in SD.
1. The anxiety hierarchy is put together by the
patient and therapist. This is a list of
situations related to the phobic stimulus
that provoke anxiety arranged in order from
least to most frightening.
2. Relaxation- the therapist teaches the
patient to relax as deeply as possible. Drugs
1
Systematic Desensitisation
Systematic desensitization (SD) is a behavioural therapy designed to gradually reduce phobic anxiety
through the principle of classical conditioning. If the sufferer can learn to relax in the presence of the
phobic stimulus they will be cured and a new response to the phobic stimulus is learned (relaxation
instead of anxiety). This learning of a different response is called counterconditioning. It is
impossible to be afraid and relaxed at the same time, so one emotion prevents the other. This is
called reciprocal inhibition.
There are 3 processes involved in SD.
1. The anxiety hierarchy is put together by the
patient and therapist. This is a list of
situations related to the phobic stimulus
that provoke anxiety arranged in order from
least to most frightening.
2. Relaxation- the therapist teaches the
patient to relax as deeply as possible. Drugs
1
