SOCIAL PHOBIAS AND THEIR MODIFICATION BY THE USE OF PLAN ANALYSES AS THERAPEUTIC INSTRUMENTS - A CASE-STUDY

The problems of a client with erythrophobia are discussed in the conte xt of 'plan analysis'. Plans and social relations are examined systema tically and discussed critically together with the client within the t heoretic framework of action vs. state orientation, a concept which ex plains phobic disorders 'volitionally'. In this way diagnostic means a re applied successfully for therapeutic purposes. Therapeutic progress is recorded in three dimensions: reduced blushing, increased assertiv e behavior, and reduced avoidant behavior. As expected, there is a hig h positive correlation between these three dimensions. In the course o f therapy it is found, however, that at least phasically therapeutic p rogress on one of these dimensions interferes with progress on the oth er two.