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3 - CBT for Specific Phobias

from Part One - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety Disorders

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 January 2022

By
Lina A. Gega  and
Barry J. D. Wright
Edited by
Gillian Todd  and
Rhena Branch
Gillian Todd
Affiliation:
University of East Anglia
Rhena Branch
Affiliation:
University of East Anglia
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Summary

Although fear can protect us from harm and prepare us for danger, disproportionately extreme fear can turn into a specific phobia when it leads to extreme avoidance of and distress in feared situations, thereby interfering with our lives and mental well-being. This chapter gives instructions and examples of how an assessment and mini formulation for specific phobias can help to construct a ‘fear hierarchy’ and to understand which ‘safety behaviors’ can maintain phobias. With case illustrations, the chapter describes how to apply exposure therapy, the cornerstone CBT method for specific phobias, in which an individual gradually confronts each trigger in the fear hierarchy while refraining from safety behaviors. The chapter also outlines how to overcome common difficulties with exposure therapy and how to measure therapy outcomes. Finally, cognitive restructuring is discussed as a CBT approach for specific phobias in which exposure-based activities are used to test and challenge exaggerated or unhelpful ideas about feared situations.

Keywords

exposure therapyfear hierarchyanxiety disorderssafety behaviorsmodellinghabituation
Type
Chapter
Information
Evidence-Based Treatment for Anxiety Disorders and Depression
A Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Compendium
 , pp. 29 - 49
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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References

Further Recommended Reading

This is the definitive guide on CBT for specific phobias. The first part of

the book gives an extensive background on the phenomenology and

assessment of specific phobias; it also gives an overview of the evidence

for various treatments for specific phobias. The second part of the book

focuses on one-session treatment for specific phobias with adults and

children. It gives detailed instructions and treatment plans and materials

on how to conduct one-session treatments. The last part of the book

addresses special topics in CBT for specific phobias, including how to

train therapists and assess their competence, how to adapt the treatment

for specialist populations (e.g., people with learning or developmental

difficulties), ethical issues, research evidence, and use of technologies.

Davis, T. E. III., Ollendick, T. H., & Ost, L. G. (2012). Intensive one-session treatment of specific phobias. Springer-Verlag.Google Scholar
Öst, L.‐G., & Reuterskiöld, L. (2013). Specific phobias. In Gregoris, S. & Hofmann, S. G. (Eds.), CBT for anxiety disorders: A practitioner book (pp. 107–133). Wiley Online Publishing.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

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