Question

20 mark for review
if a therapist were using counterconditioning techniques to alleviate a patients intense fear of heights, they would need to do which of the following?
a. make sure the patient does not experience any stress during therapy.
b. ensure that the patient is informed of the therapeutic procedures that will be utilized.
c. have an irb review their plan for therapy.
d. involve the patients family in discussing the progress made during the therapy sessions.

Explanation:

Counterconditioning (like systematic desensitization for phobias) requires exposing the patient to the feared stimulus gradually, which involves controlled stress, so option A is incorrect. IRB review is for research, not standard clinical therapy, eliminating option C. Family involvement is not a core requirement of counterconditioning, so option D is incorrect. Informing the patient about therapeutic procedures is an essential ethical and clinical step to gain informed consent and ensure cooperation for counterconditioning.

Answer:

B. Ensure that the patient is informed of the therapeutic procedures that will be utilized.