In the past, he has worked with people with agoraphobia, fears of being away from home, shopping, driving and using public transportation. He also did a preliminary pilot program on snake phobias before starting the current one. Also known as guided mastery, exposure encourages people to master what they fear by coping directly with it. People with a fear of snakes get to gradually approach, touch and handle harmless snakes, all of which is done under supervision. The vast majority of people who take part in this program benefit, says Williams.
Research shows that even people with a longstanding and severe phobia usually can overcome it.
The program lasts one or two sessions, plus a follow-up evaluation a few weeks later. We are interested in learning more about how we can help people most effectively, and about what cognitive processes are involved in phobia and overcoming it, said Williams. The program is open to anyone with a fear of snakes.