Systematic desensitisation evaluation

Strength: supported by research evidence

• Gilroy et al (2003) followed up 42 patients who had been treated for arachnophobia in 3 45-minute sessions
• A control group was treated by relaxation without exposure
• At both 3 months and 33 months after the treatment, the SD group were less fearful than the relaxation group
• This is a strength because it shows that SD is helpful in reducing anxiety in phobias and that the effects are long-lasting

Strength: it is well-suited to a lot of patients

• The alternatives to SD - flooding and CBT -…