Question

Thaddeus is afraid of spiders. he developed this exaggerated fear when he was a child and a spider woke him up in the middle of the night when it was crawling across his face. his therapist recommends systematic desensitization therapy. order the steps of this treatment.

a. Work on lowest number in hierarchy

Answer 1

Systematic desensitization therapy involves several steps, including creating a fear hierarchy, learning relaxation techniques, gradually exposing the individual to feared stimuli, progressing through the hierarchy, and maintaining progress.

Step-by-step explanation:

Steps of Systematic Desensitization Therapy

1. Formulating a hierarchy of fears: The therapist and Thaddeus will work together to create a list of situations or scenarios related to spiders that provoke fear, starting from the least fear-inducing at the bottom to the most fear-inducing at the top.
2. Establishing a relaxation technique: Thaddeus will learn and practice a relaxation technique, such as deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation, which will help him stay calm during the therapy.
3. Exposure to feared stimuli: Thaddeus will be gradually exposed to each item on his fear hierarchy, starting from the least feared situation. He will practice relaxation techniques while imagining or encountering the feared stimuli.
4. Progressing through the hierarchy: As Thaddeus becomes comfortable and relaxed with one level of his fear hierarchy, he will move on to the next level, eventually reaching the top of the hierarchy.
5. Maintenance and generalization: Thaddeus will continue practicing the relaxation techniques and facing his fears even after therapy ends, ensuring that the progress made is maintained and that the fear does not return in new situations.