Final answer:
Systematic Desensitization is the process of gradual exposure to a feared object or situation while employing relaxation techniques to counteract the anxiety response.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process whereby a person is taught relaxation techniques and then gradually faced with what they are afraid of is called Systematic Desensitization. This type of therapy is a form of counter-conditioning, which involves the patient being exposed to the feared object or context without any danger, in order to overcome the anxiety associated with the stimulus. It's a process grounded in classical conditioning and often involves the use of a hierarchy of fears, starting with the least frightening and gradually progressing to the most frightening. Relaxation techniques are employed to maintain calmness as one encounters the feared stimuli. This method can help reduce the conditioned response (CR) of fear, eventually leading to the weakening or disappearance of the response.