the use of devices like audiotapes, videotapes, and digitized media to mimic the presentation of anxiety-provoking and relaxing stimuli during systematic desensitization. It is especially helpful in situations where a client is reluctant to undergo desensitization for an anxiety problem in the presence of the therapist. See device for automated desensitization.
AUTOMATED DESENSITIZATION: “A person underwent an automated densensitization procedure when he or she watched videotapes of the feared stimulus: spiders.”