Zelda visits a therapist for treatment of her anxiety. Her therapist teaches her to relax on a couch while working her way throu
gh a fear-stimulus hierarchy. Eventually, Zelda is able to remain calm in each of the situations presented in the hierarchy. Her therapist used a technique called ______
This form of therapy is normally based on classical conditioning.
Systematic desensitization
Systematic desensitization falls at the other end of the dimensions of exposure methods, using brief, imaginal, and minimally arousing exercises. Systematic desensitization was among the earliest behavioral treatments studies for PTSD. It involves pairing imaginal exposure with relaxation, so that the anxiety elicited by the confrontation with the feared stimuli is inhibited by relaxation.
