Systematic Desensitization

Systematic desensitization is a psychological treatment designed to help individuals overcome fears or anxieties. It involves three main steps: relaxation techniques, creating a hierarchy of fears (from least to most anxiety-provoking), and gradual exposure to those fears while practicing relaxation. For example, if someone is afraid of spiders, they might first learn to relax, then look at pictures of spiders, and slowly progress to being in the same room as an actual spider. This method helps reduce the fear response over time, allowing the person to face their fears more comfortably.