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Systematic Desensitization

This document describes the technique of systematic desensitization developed by Joseph Wolpe to treat anxiety, phobias, and OCD through classical conditioning. It involves creating a hierarchy of anxiety-provoking situations, learning relaxation exercises, and gradually exposing oneself to situations while using relaxation to reduce anxiety.

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76 views3 pages

Systematic Desensitization

This document describes the technique of systematic desensitization developed by Joseph Wolpe to treat anxiety, phobias, and OCD through classical conditioning. It involves creating a hierarchy of anxiety-provoking situations, learning relaxation exercises, and gradually exposing oneself to situations while using relaxation to reduce anxiety.

Uploaded by

Marium Latif
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Systematic desensitization

Author

Joseph Wolpe

Technique

Behavior Therapy

Principal

Classical Conditioning

Rationale

 Anxiety

 Phobias

 OCD

Method

1. Hierarchy of Anxiety Provoking situations

2. Relaxation Exercise

3. Systematic Desensitization

 Imaginary exposure to least anxiety provoking situation till the point where

no more anxiety or less anxiety is felt by it.

 Relaxation

 Moving upward in hierarchy of anxiety provoking situations with

repeatedly done relaxation exercise.


Homework

Practice the desensitization and relaxation.


References

McGlynn, F. D., Smitherman, T. A., & Gothard, K. D. (2004). Comment on the status of
systematic desensitization. Behavior modification, 28(2), 194-205.

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