Final answer:
Factors aiding Bennett's therapy include his resilience, the provision of unconditional positive regard by the therapist, the use of systematic desensitization, the development of a hierarchy of anxiety-triggering experiences, and fostering a strong therapeutic alliance. Conversely, the success of therapy could be limited if Bennett also has major depressive disorder or if there are cultural barriers to treatment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Part A: Factors Contributing to the Success of Bennett's Therapy
Resilience is the ability to recover quickly from difficulties. For Bennett, his resilience will be a crucial factor in coping with his phobia and engaging with therapy effectively. His developmental stage as a teenager means his resilience could aid him in learning and applying coping strategies more readily.
Unconditional positive regard is a term used in client-centered therapy to describe the therapist's full and warm acceptance of the client. This can help Bennett feel safe and valued in therapy, bolstering his self-esteem and motivation to overcome his phobia of crowds.
Systematic desensitization is a treatment for phobias where the person is gradually exposed to the fear-inducing stimulus in a controlled manner. As a teenager, Bennett's cognitive abilities can help him understand and participate actively in this structured approach, contributing to the therapy's success.
A hierarchy of anxiety-triggering experiences is made up of a graded list of situations that elicit fear, from least to most frightening. Bennett and his therapist can work together to create this hierarchy, which can guide the systematic desensitization process at a pace that is manageable for him.
Therapeutic alliance refers to the collaborative relationship between client and therapist. A strong alliance can enhance Bennett's commitment to therapy and his will to work through challenging tasks in treatment.
Part B: Factors Limiting the Success of Bennett's Therapy
If Bennett were also suffering from major depressive disorder, the symptoms of depression could diminish his engagement in therapy, reduce his motivation, and make it harder for him to participate in systematic desensitization.
Cultural barriers could limit the success of therapy if Bennett's cultural background includes beliefs about mental health that conflict with the therapeutic process or if there is a lack of culturally sensitive treatment options.