A counseling procedure pairing anxiety-producing stimuli with relaxation exercises is:

A counseling procedure pairing anxiety-producing stimuli with relaxation exercises is:

• A. Paradoxical intention
• B. Systematic desensitization
• C. Implosive therapy
• D. Confrontation

Answer: (B)

Pairing anxiety-producing stimuli with relaxation exercises is systematic desensitization. This approach works by gradually exposing the person to feared stimuli while they practice a relaxation response, such as deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation. As they move through an anxiety hierarchy—from mildly to highly feared situations—the relaxation becomes associated with the stimulus, weakening the fear response through reciprocal inhibition. It’s especially used for phobias and other anxiety disorders to replace the learned anxious reaction with calm. Paradoxical intention involves increasing fear to reduce it, not pairing with relaxation. Implosive therapy (flooding) exposes someone to the anxiety-provoking stimulus in a highly intense way without relaxation training. Confrontation refers to exposure in general but lacks the structured pairing with relaxation and a graduated hierarchy.

Pairing anxiety-producing stimuli with relaxation exercises is systematic desensitization. This approach works by gradually exposing the person to feared stimuli while they practice a relaxation response, such as deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation. As they move through an anxiety hierarchy—from mildly to highly feared situations—the relaxation becomes associated with the stimulus, weakening the fear response through reciprocal inhibition. It’s especially used for phobias and other anxiety disorders to replace the learned anxious reaction with calm.

Paradoxical intention involves increasing fear to reduce it, not pairing with relaxation. Implosive therapy (flooding) exposes someone to the anxiety-provoking stimulus in a highly intense way without relaxation training. Confrontation refers to exposure in general but lacks the structured pairing with relaxation and a graduated hierarchy.