Final answer:
Behavioral therapy designed to reduce fear associated with PTSD by recalling the traumatic experience in detail is known as exposure therapy. It helps patients face and gain control of their distress, which can reduce PTSD symptoms.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of behavioral therapy that involves recalling a traumatic experience and describing every detail is known as exposure therapy. This technique is used to reduce the fear associated with the memory of the traumatic event. In the case of Todd who has developed Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after a car accident, exposure therapy can help him face and gain control of his fear and distress, eventually leading to a reduction in PTSD symptoms. The process involves repeatedly reliving the traumatic event in a controlled therapeutic setting, which can diminish the intense emotional response through habituation. Challenges to this method, such as those by Loftus regarding recovered memories, highlight the complexity of treating trauma-related disorders. Nonetheless, modern research and clinical practice have seen progress in treatments for disorders like PTSD, emphasizing the importance of proper mental healthcare for those affected by psychological trauma.