Social Work Examination Services (SWES) Human Behavior Practice Test

What treatment method involves gradually exposing a client to their fear until it is alleviated?

1. Systematic desensitization

2. Exposure therapy

3. Flooding

4. Cognitive restructuring

The correct answer is: Flooding

The treatment method that involves gradually exposing a client to their fear until it is alleviated is known as exposure therapy. This approach systematically desensitizes a person to their fear by having them face it in a controlled and gradual manner, enabling them to cope with and eventually reduce their anxiety or fear response. In exposure therapy, clients are introduced to the source of their fear in a safe environment. They may start with less intimidating stimuli and work their way up to more anxiety-provoking situations. This incremental exposure helps clients build tolerance and reduces the fear response over time, ultimately leading to significant improvements in their ability to manage the fear. Flooding, a distinct method, involves exposing the client to a fear-inducing stimulus in a more intense and overwhelming way, without the gradual build-up, which can lead to high levels of anxiety and is often used in different contexts than systematic desensitization. Cognitive restructuring, on the other hand, focuses on changing negative thought patterns rather than direct exposure to fears. Both flooding and cognitive restructuring are important therapeutic techniques, but they do not fit the criteria of gradual exposure specific to the provided question.