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  Ψ  Systematic desensitization is a type of behavioral therapy used in the field of psychology to help effectively overcome phobias & other anxiety disorders. To begin the process of systematic desensitization, one must first be taught relaxation skills in order to control fear & anxiety responses to specific phobias. Once the individual has been taught these skills, he or she must use them to react towards & overcome situations in an established hierarchy of fears. The goal of this process is that an individual will learn to cope & overcome the fear in each step of the hierarchy, which will lead to overcoming the last step of the fear in the hierarchy.

Step 1.: Learn to relax on cue
  Step 2.: Make an anxiety hierarchy (from least to most)
    Step 3.: Combine relaxation with each item in the anxiety hierarchy
                    from the easiest to the hardest.
        Step 4.: Overcome the last step in the anxiety hierarchy