Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

Thirty-four patients with spider phobia, fulfilling the DSM-IIIR criteria for simple phobia, were assessed with behavioral, physiological, and self-report measures. They were randomly assigned to therapist-directed exposure during one session (maximum 3 hours) or self-directed exposure via a specifically written manual (during a 2-week period). Results showed that therapist-directed exposure was significantly better than self-directed exposure, both at post-treatment and at a 1 year follow-up, on the specific spider phobia self-report measures, the behavioral measures, and clinician rating of phobic severity, while there were no differences on the physiological measures. Stringent criteria for clinically significant improvement were met by 71% of the therapistand 6% in the self-directed exposure group both at post-treatment and at follow-up. Some of the reasons for the poorer results of self-exposure in this study are discussed. © 1991 Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy. All rights reserved.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/S0005-7894(05)80374-0

Type

Journal article

Journal

Behavior Therapy

Publication Date

01/01/1991

Volume

22

Pages

407 - 422