Is the Exposure Principle Really Crucial in Agoraphobia? The Influence of Client-Centered “Nonprescriptive” Treatment on Exposure

Abstract

Exposure treatment is regarded as a crucial factor for the effective reduction of agoraphobic symptoms. Recent empirical studies indicate conflict centered therapies to be effective as well. The present study deals with different effects of client-centered therapy, behavioral exposure treatment, and a combination of them both on patient readiness for exposure to phobic situations. The readiness for exposure to phobic situations (behavioral resistance), as well as the impairment due to phobic symptoms (interference), were measured with a “99 mm-visual-analogue-scale.” Forty patients diagnosed with panic disorder and agoraphobia were included. Twenty of them were treated with client-centered therapy, and twenty were treated additionally with behavioral exposure treatment. The results were compared with the data on 72 patients, who were treated exclusively with behavioral exposure treatment. Measurements were made at the beginning (T1) and at the end (T2) of therapy, and after six months (T3) and one year fo...