Which behavior would indicate successful desensitization in a client with a phobia?

Successful desensitization is aimed at reducing the fear response associated with a phobia through gradual exposure to the feared object or situation. The correct answer, demonstrating calmness when confronted with the fear, indicates that the client has effectively undergone this process. In a therapeutic context, a client who exhibits calmness no longer experiences the intense anxiety that previously accompanied their reaction to the phobic stimulus. This progression signifies that the desensitization techniques have worked, allowing the client to face their fear with a regulated emotional response.

Additionally, other behaviors, such as increased anxiety, can indicate the opposite—an exacerbation of the phobia, while verbalizing fear may show awareness but does not equate to having made progress in managing that fear. Engagement in role-playing scenarios may be a useful therapeutic tool, but alone it does not directly indicate desensitization unless it leads to the ultimate goal of remaining calm in the presence of the feared object. Thus, calmness reflects the effectiveness of treatment and signifies a successful shift in the client's experience of their phobia.