Question

LenDale has been diagnosed with a specific phobia. His therapist asks him to imagine a time when he was very relaxed. Once he achieves that relaxed state, the therapist asks him to imagine the feared object and then eventually works with him to be relaxed in the presence of the real object. This procedure is completed in gradual steps. Which technique did his therapist use?

Answer 1

systematic desensitization

Step-by-step explanation:

Systematic desensitization is a helping technique consisting in evoking or repeating the actual experience of situations that we consider threatening. Simultaneously, deep relaxation therapy is performed to reduce discomfort.

The process of systematic desensitization is oriented towards consciously facing a stressful situation, reliving and expressing step by step what you think and feel when you are exposed to what stresses you. Relaxation will have a calming effect and time will provide tools for you to gain new learning, which will reduce the state of distress.

Systematic desensitization seeks to reinforce a learned behavior of self-mastery through repetition at the pace you deem appropriate and respecting your emotions. That is, if during the session a lot of anguish is produced, the journey must be interrupted. Subsequently, it is important to resume the process to prevent it from having the opposite effect: greater rejection or aversion.

It is about unlearning the negative responses in the face of a stressful situation and transforming the experience. To achieve this, the development of skills and resources to consciously control situations that end up being distressing is promoted. In this case, memory fulfills the role of remembering new learning when needed.