Participant Modeling Technique in Overcoming Fear of Dogs
Megan's Journey to Help Kayla Overcome Fear of Dogs
Therapist's Surprising Approach
To Megan's surprise, the therapist decided to confront Kayla's fear head-on. In one of the sessions, the therapist brought a gentle and friendly dog into the room. This unexpected move made Megan anxious, wondering how Kayla would react.Participant Modeling Technique
Instead of letting Kayla avoid the situation or interacting with the dog in a controlled manner, the therapist employed the participant modeling technique. At first, Kayla was asked to observe from a distance as the therapist demonstrated how to approach and pet the dog correctly. It was emphasized that Kayla should not grab the dog's tail.Gradual Progression
Over the next few sessions, Kayla was encouraged to move closer and eventually mimic the therapist's actions. With gentle guidance and support, Kayla started to build her confidence and trust in the dog. The therapist created a safe environment for her to confront her fear gradually.Successful Outcome
After just a few sessions of using the participant modeling technique, Kayla was no longer fearful of dogs. She could approach them calmly and pet them without hesitation. Megan was amazed at the progress her daughter had made and grateful for the therapist's innovative approach.Conclusion
The use of participant modeling technique proved to be effective in helping Kayla overcome her fear of dogs. By allowing Kayla to observe, learn, and practice the desired behavior in a supportive environment, the therapist facilitated Kayla's transformation from fear to confidence. Megan and Kayla's journey serves as a powerful example of how the right therapeutic approach can lead to positive outcomes in dealing with phobias and anxieties.What technique did the therapist use with Kayla?
Participant modeling Explanation: Modeling: In psychotherapy, the term modeling is being used as a method in which the patients or clients learns alone in the absence of any verbal direction provided by the therapist through imitation. Participant Modeling: In psychotherapy, the participant modeling is a technique or method used by the counselor or the therapist to demonstrate the client while learning appropriate or desired behavior through modeling and once the client has learnt the desired behavior then the therapist or the counselor assist him or her in imitating the modeled behavior. In the question above, the therapist uses the participant modeling technique with Kayla.