Contribution of therapist warmth to the contact desensitization treatment of acrophobia

Varied therapist warmth in the contact desensitization treatment of acrophobia. 19 height-fearful volunteers (18-63 yrs old) were assigned to 1 of 3 groups: a warm therapist, a cold therapist, and a waiting control group. Behavioral and attitudinal measures of height avoidance were collected prior to treatment, immediately following treatment, and at a 1-mo follow-up (e.g., the Fear Survey Schedule, the Height Avoidance Test, the Expectancy Questionnaire, and the Therapist Warmth Questionnaire). Both treatment groups showed significant improvement when compared to the waiting list group, but no consistent differences were found between the warm and cold therapist groups. Results are discussed in terms of the relative contribution of therapist relationship factors. (3 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved).