Systematic desensitisation therapy for phobias combines relaxation techniques with gradual exposure to help individuals overcome their fears through behavioral modification. This therapeutic approach utilizes both classical and operant conditioning in behavior modification to help patients unlearn anxious responses and develop healthier reactions to feared stimuli.
- The therapy follows a structured approach beginning with relaxation training
- Patients work through a carefully constructed desensitisation hierarchy for fear management
- Treatment can be conducted through direct exposure (vivo) or imagination (vitro)
- Success rates are highest with specific learned phobias rather than generalized fears
- The approach is considered more ethical than flooding techniques due to its gradual nature
