Which behavioral technique is commonly used to treat anxiety by gradually exposing individuals to anxiety-provoking stimuli?

Systematic desensitization is a behavioral technique that effectively treats anxiety by gradually exposing individuals to anxiety-provoking stimuli in a controlled and gradual manner. This approach is based on the idea that anxiety responses can be weakened through a process of exposure paired with relaxation techniques.

During systematic desensitization, individuals typically create a hierarchy of anxiety-inducing situations, starting with those that elicit minimal anxiety and gradually working up to more anxiety-provoking scenarios. This step-by-step exposure allows individuals to confront their fears in a safe environment, often incorporating relaxation strategies to help manage and reduce their anxiety reactions. Over time, this process helps to desensitize individuals to the anxiety-provoking stimuli, allowing them to respond with decreased anxiety and increased confidence.

The other techniques listed, such as mindfulness meditation, cognitive restructuring, and stress inoculation, focus on different aspects of anxiety management and do not primarily involve the gradual exposure method that is central to systematic desensitization.