The author describes the role of the phobia therapist, usually a former
phobic or a mental health worker. The therapist works with a psychiatrist
as part of an overall psychiatric treatment program that provides an
effective, low-cost approach to the treatment of phobias. Case studies
illustrate how the supported-exposure approach, whereby patients are
confronted gradually with the fearful situation in a real- life setting,
enables phobics to learn how to deal with their phobic symptoms while they
are occurring.
Abstract Teaser