Exposure Strategies

In this NIMH funded project, we are conducting a series of studies to evaluate the optimal method by which exposure therapy is conducted for circumscribed fears and phobias, and obsessive compulsive disorder. In line with the latest theoretical and empirical developments from basic science of fear learning and fear extinction, we are conducting investigations of the optimal duration of exposure therapy, amount of time between each session of exposure therapy, physical arousal during exposure therapy, variation throughout exposure therapy, multiple stimuli throughout exposure therapy, and retrieval cues as a way of enhancing memory for exposure therapy effects in the long-term.

Eligibility Criteria

Participants for these studies have phobias of heights, spiders or public speaking, or obsessive compulsive disorder with fears of contamination, are English speaking, are not suffering severe medical conditions, and are un-medicated or stabilized on medications for anxiety or depression.

Screening Procedures

Interested participants leave their contact information (i.e., name, phone number, best times to call) at (310) 825-3642 (a voice answering machine). Participants are then phoned by study personnel and asked a few simple screening questions. If eligible, participants are scheduled for an in-person, no-cost, behavioral evaluation at the UCLA Psychology Clinic. Referrals are provided when the diagnostic evaluation indicates lack of eligibility for the study.

Treatment Procedures

Treatment procedures vary from study to study, but mostly involve two to three, one on one, sessions of exposure therapy in which participants are encouraged to repeatedly face feared objects or situations. Each exposure session lasts from 1 to 2 hours. Assessments are conducted prior to beginning exposure, immediately upon completion of exposure, and 3 to 6 weeks later. These assessments include a battery of self-report questionnaires, behavioral observation, and physiological recording as feared objects or situations are approached.

Fees

There are no fees for any of the assessment or exposure therapy visits. Individuals who participate in the height phobia study and who are not recruited from the psychology department subject pool are reimbursed $10 per hour for up to four hours. Individuals who participate in the obsessive compulsive disorder study will be paid $50 for completing each of the assessments.

Study Personnel Contact

For further information about this project, contact Arezou Mortazavi at (310) 825-3642.