What is the initial step in systematic desensitization?

The initial step in systematic desensitization is the creation of an anxiety hierarchy. This process involves the client working with the therapist to identify and rank a list of situations or stimuli that provoke anxiety, starting from the least anxiety-provoking to the most anxiety-inducing. This hierarchy serves as a foundational tool that guides the subsequent phases of the desensitization process.

By organizing anxiety-provoking stimuli in this manner, the therapist and client can approach these situations gradually and systematically. This step is critical because it helps clients understand their fears in a structured way, allowing them to confront them incrementally instead of overwhelming them with immediate exposure to a highly feared situation, which might be counterproductive and increase anxiety. Following the creation of the anxiety hierarchy, the therapist can then use relaxation techniques to help the client manage anxiety when gradually exposed to the stimuli listed.