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A Successful Adaptation of Systematic Desensitization in the Treatment of a Phobia of Babies

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 October 2014

Michael Free  and
Margaret Beekhuis
Michael Free*
Affiliation:
Wolston Park Hospital, Qld
Margaret Beekhuis
Affiliation:
Sunnyside Hospital, New Zealand
*
Wolston Park Hospital, Wacol, Queensland
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Abstract

A case study is presented of a young woman with an unusual phobia, a fear of babies. Barabasz's (1977) technique of systematic desensitization using psycho-physiological measures was chosen as the main treatment strategy. Difficulties arose as the client was unable to visualise scenes involving babies. Nor could she look at photographs of babies long enough for the hierarchy to be ordered using a psycho-physiological measure (skin conductance). A set of photographs was eventually used for the hierarchy, but it was ordered in terms of the length of time the client could look at the various photographs. Systematic desensitization was carried out using the set of photographs instead of imaginary scenes, together with some in vivo exposure in the latter stages of treatment. At termination the client could approach babies without discomfort. Improvement was maintained at one year follow-up.

Type
Articles
Information
Behaviour Change , Volume 2 , Issue 1 , March 1985 , pp. 59 - 64
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 1985

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References

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