The Successful Treatment of Specific Phobia in a College Counseling Center

Abstract

Specific phobias are highly prevalent among college students and can be quite debilitating. However, students often do not present for treatment for phobias and, when they do, often do not receive effective treatment. This article will present a case study of the effective treatment of specific phobia using cognitive-behavioral therapy with an emphasis on in vivo exposure. It will provide a template for how to conduct this efficient and effective therapy and suggest several benefits of incorporating this treatment into the repertoire offered by a college counseling center.

Keywords:

• case study
• exposure therapy
• specific phobia

Acknowledgments

The first author thanks Paula R. Young, Richard E. Zinbarg, and Susan Mineka, without whom the treatment described in this article would not have been possible.

Notes

1. Identifying information, including the client's name, has been modified to protect the client's confidentiality. The client has read and approved of this representation (and chose the pseudonym).