Describe the three components of systemic desensitization, and explain how a therapist might use this treatment technique with someone who has an airplane phobia. What would be done differently if the therapist used in vivo desensitization?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The three components of systematic desensitization therapy are (1) teaching the client deep muscle relaxation; (2) having the client generate an anxiety hierarchy, which ranks situations from most to least frightening; and (3) having the client imagine himself or herself in increasingly more frightening situations while maintaining a relaxed state. For a client suffering from an airplane phobia, the therapist might have the person begin imagining scenes from the lowest part of the hierarchy, such as getting into a cab for a drive to the airport. In in vivo desensitization, the therapist would have the client experience them directly. The client might actually get into a cab for a drive to the airport, while maintaining a relaxed state.