The Eclectic Approach to the Treatment of Phobias

A patient with air travel phobia was treated by a variety of therapeutic techniques. Initially, intensive reciprocal inhibition similar to implosion therapy was used, with concomitant supportive psychotherapy. Then psychodynamically oriented short-term therapy was introduced to achieve more lasting results. The author suggests that rather than establishing a dogmatic position in terms of selected technique, the therapist should take a truly eclectic approach within the unfolding treatment of a single patient.