Analysis of a Social Neurosis - Joseph Wolpe

Joseph Wolpe (1990) interviews police officer Tom, who has problems resulting from a traumatic event: he had been confronted by a violent man whom he shot and killed. Later it became evident that the man had an empty gun and was mentally ill. Following a thorough interview, Wolpe uses eye movement and systematic desensitization to diminish the established fear hierarchy.

Educational Objectives:

1. To learn the technique of behavioral data-gathering

2. To understand how data is analyzed to reveal case dynamics and pointers to treatment