Enhancing Exposure Therapy for Snake and Spider Phobias

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN · Jun 6, 2014

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This study tests whether exposure therapy for fear of snakes or spiders is enhanced by the addition of a brief fear retrieval trial prior to treatment, and the use of compound extinction during treatment. The goal of the study is to determine whether these behavioral techniques enhance the efficacy of exposure therapy, one of the most empirically supported treatments for anxiety disorders. Individuals between the ages of 18-65 with elevated fear of spiders or fear of snakes are randomly assigned to one of four treatment conditions (1) standard exposure therapy, (2) exposure therapy with fea...

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Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Age 18 to 65.
• • 2. Speaks English fluently.
• • 3. A score of 70 or higher on the Fear of Snakes/Spiders Questionnaire.
• • 4. Demonstrates avoidance during behavioral approach tests (defined as inability to put palm flat on the bottom of a tank containing a snake/spider, and inability to touch a snake/spider with a bare finger).
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Unstable dose of psychotropic medications during the 4 weeks prior to baseline assessment.
• • 2. Currently receiving exposure-based treatment for snake/spider phobia.
• • 3. Currently at risk for suicide.