Clinical behavior analysis and RFT: Conceptualizing psychopathology and its treatment

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Case Study of Clinical Behavior Analysis for a 20-Year-Old Client With Emetophobia

This case study illustrates a clinical behavior analytic intervention for a female client with emetophobia, the fear of vomiting. Clinical behavior analysis is a recently developing branch of empirically supported psychotherapy, derived from behavior analysis. This case study presents modified case formulations and changed intervention strategies according to the results of repeated measuring. The intervention was six sessions and three gradual follow-up sessions; the effect of the intervention was monitored by a single-case design. The intervention strategies were changed from symptom-focused interventions, which are based on exposure, to value-focused gradual follow-up sessions. The client’s phobia and depression were alleviated through the intervention and gradual follow-up phases. Moreover, her value-based activities increased through the gradual follow-up phase. The Reliable Change Indexes (RCIs) were calculated to evaluate changes between the intervention and follow-up phases. There were large and clinically significant decreases on measures. The results highlight the utility of repeated measuring and importance of a value-focused approach.