Systematic desensitisation

Systematic desensitisation (SD)

Behavioural therapy designed to gradually reduce phobic anxiety though the principle of classical conditioning

If a person can learn to relax in the presence of the phobic stimulus they will be ‘cured’

Essentially a new response to the phobic stimulus is learned (phobic stimulus is paired with relaxation instead of anxiety)

This learning of a different response is called counterconditioning

There are three processes involved in SD

Anxiety hierarchy

This is put together by a client with phobia and stimulus

This is a list of situations related to the phobic stimulus that provoke anxiety, arranged in order from least to most frightening

Relaxation

The therapist teaches the client to relax as deeply as possible

It is impossible to be afraid and relaxed at the same time, so one emotion prevents the other- this is called reciprocal inhibition

The relaxation might involve breathing exercises or alternatively the client might learn mental imagery techniques

Clients can be taught to imagine themselves in relaxing situations or they might learn meditation- relaxation can also be achieved by using drugs

Exposure

Finally the client is exposed to the phobic stimulus while in a relaxed state

This takes place across several sessions, starting at the bottom of the anxiety hierarchy

The client moves up to the next level when they can stay relaxed at the current level and thus they progress through the hierarchy