Which term describes the technique of exposing a client to fear-inducing stimuli while they remain relaxed?

The term that best describes the technique of exposing a client to fear-inducing stimuli while they remain relaxed is systematic desensitization. This approach is a specific type of exposure therapy that combines relaxation techniques with gradual exposure to anxiety-inducing stimuli.

In systematic desensitization, a client is first taught relaxation strategies to help them manage anxiety. Then, they are gradually exposed to a hierarchy of fear-inducing stimuli, starting with the least threatening and moving to the most fear-inducing. The goal is for the client to learn to remain relaxed while confronting their fears, which helps reduce their anxiety over time. This method is rooted in classical conditioning principles, where the aim is to create a new association that promotes relaxation in response to previously feared stimuli.

While desensitization and exposure therapy are related concepts, systematic desensitization specifically incorporates the relaxation element and a structured process of exposure, making it distinct from broader definitions of exposure therapy.