Deborah's therapist helps her replace irrational fears about flying with rational thoughts. What is this technique called?

The technique employed by Deborah's therapist is known as cognitive restructuring. This approach is fundamentally based on the cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) framework and is designed to challenge and change unhelpful cognitive distortions and beliefs. By helping Deborah replace irrational fears with rational thoughts, the therapist is actively working to shift her mindset, reducing the anxiety associated with flying. This process empowers clients to recognize harmful thought patterns and reframe them in a more constructive and realistic manner.

In contrast, exposure therapy involves directly confronting fears through gradual exposure to the feared object or situation, which is more about facing the fear rather than changing thought patterns. Desensitization is often linked to exposure methods as well and involves repeated exposure to reduce response to the stimulus over time. Behavioral modification focuses more broadly on changing specific behaviors rather than addressing the underlying cognitive distortions that contribute to those behaviors. Each of these techniques has unique applications, but cognitive restructuring specifically targets the cognitive aspects of irrational fears, making it the most appropriate choice in this context.