The Eclectic Approach to the Treatment of Phobias
K. ROY MACKENZIE M.D.1
1 Associate Professor of Psychiatry, University of Calgary Medical School, and Director of Psychiatry, Holy Cross Hospital, 2210 2nd St., S.W., Calgary, Alberta, Canada
A patient with air travel phobia was treated by a variety of therapeutic techniques. Initially, intensive reciprocal inhibition similar to implosion therapy was used, with concomitant supportive psychotherapy. Then psychodynamically oriented short-term therapy was introduced to achieve more lasting results. The author suggests that rather than establishing a dogmatic position in terms of selected technique, the therapist should take a truly eclectic approach within the unfolding treatment of a single patient.
