Overcoming Fear of Spiders: A Journey with Tyree and Lorie

What type of therapy did Tyree use to help Lorie overcome her arachnophobia?

Systematic desensitization

When Lorie sought help from her therapist, Tyree, to overcome her intense fear of spiders, he devised a program that utilized systematic desensitization. This type of therapy involves gradually exposing the individual to the feared object or situation in a controlled and gradual manner.

Tyree's program began with Lorie looking at pictures of spiders. She continued to view these images until she could remain calm and composed. Subsequently, Tyree had Lorie watch live footage of spiders moving around. This step helped Lorie acclimate to the sight of real spiders while staying relaxed.

The final stage of Tyree's program involved bringing a live spider in a terrarium to therapy sessions. By interacting with the spider in a safe and controlled environment, Lorie was able to confront her fear directly. Throughout the process, Lorie also learned relaxation techniques to help her manage any anxiety that arose.

Systematic desensitization proved to be an effective approach in helping Lorie gradually overcome her arachnophobia. Through this structured program, Lorie was able to confront her fear step by step and ultimately reduce her anxiety towards spiders.