Systematic desensitisation is a technique used to treat phobias or irrational fears. Arrange the steps followed in this technique to treat the disorder:

(A) The therapist together with the client prepares a hierarchy of fear-provoking situations.
(B) Client is interviewed to elicit fear-provoking situations.
(C) The therapist relaxes the client and asks the client to think of the least fear-provoking situation.
(D) The client is asked to stop thinking of the fearful situation if the slightest tension is felt.
(E) Over the sessions, the client is able to imagine more severe fear-provoking situations while maintaining relaxation.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

(B), (A), (C), (D), (E)

The correct answer is Option (4) → (B), (A), (C), (D), (E)

• (B) Client is interviewed to elicit fear-provoking situations → The therapist gathers information about the client’s fears.

• (A) The therapist together with the client prepares a hierarchy of fear-provoking situations → The situations are ranked from least to most anxiety-inducing.

• (C) The therapist relaxes the client and asks the client to think of the least fear-provoking situation → Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation are used.

• (D) The client is asked to stop thinking of the fearful situation if the slightest tension is felt → This ensures the client remains relaxed throughout exposure.

• (E) Over the sessions, the client is able to imagine more severe fear-provoking situations while maintaining relaxation → Gradual progression through the hierarchy leads to desensitisation.