The use of former phobics in the treatment of phobias.
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.
D000379:Agoraphobia / Q000628:therapy; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D011566:Psychiatric Aides; D000078329:Workforce