Which technique involves the gradual exposure to fears in a controlled environment to facilitate cognitive restructuring?

The technique involving gradual exposure to fears in a controlled environment is systematic desensitization. This method is designed to help individuals confront their fears progressively, starting with less anxiety-provoking situations and gradually moving toward the more fear-inducing scenarios. The process typically involves relaxation techniques to help the individual manage anxiety as they are exposed to feared stimuli, allowing for cognitive restructuring to occur over time.

The effectiveness of systematic desensitization lies in its structured approach, which helps individuals reduce their fears through repeated exposure in a safe environment. This stands in contrast to other techniques like flooding, which involves confronting fears directly and all at once, often leading to heightened anxiety. Cognitive-behavioral therapy and rational emotive behavior therapy are broader therapeutic approaches that may incorporate exposure techniques but do not specifically focus on the gradual exposure method central to systematic desensitization.