Behavioural explanation of abnormality; treatments based on behavioural approach

Treatments based on behavioural approach
 Systematic Destinsistation

This treatment assumes you have learnt the phobia though classical conditiong.

Assumes phobias can be treated by unlearning the phobia.

You are taught to replace the fear responce that is associated with the phobia with a more appropriate responce, usually relaxation.

Systematic Destinsistation- The method

1) Therapist teaches client to relax
-Important as you can experience tension of fear when you are relaxed

2)Therapist and client decise on anxiety hirearchy
-goes from something not very scary (e.g; cartoon of focus) to actually holding that focus

3)Paitent gradually works way through the sensalisation hirearchy using relaxation techniques to overcome teh fear.

4)After one step is mastered, move onto next step of hirearchy

5)Paitent eventually masters fear that made them seek help in the 1st place.