Arrange the steps in the correct sequence followed in the systematic desensitization technique:

(A) The therapist relaxes the clients and asks him to think about the least anxiety provoking situation.

(B) The client is interviewed to elicit fear provoking situations.

(C) The therapist prepares a hierarchy of anxiety provoking stimulus with least anxiety provoking at the bottom.

(D) The client is asked to stop thinking of the fearful situation if the slightest tension is felt.

(E) Over the sessions, the client is able to imagine more severe fear provoking situations while maintaining the relaxation.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

The correct answer/option is (B), (C), (A), (D), (E).

Systematic desensitization is a behavioral therapy technique developed by Joseph Wolpe to help individuals overcome phobias and other anxiety disorders. It involves a structured, step-by-step process that pairs relaxation techniques with gradual exposure to anxiety-provoking stimuli. The correct sequence of steps is explained below:

1. Step (B) - The client is interviewed to elicit fear provoking situations:
The process begins with an assessment phase. The therapist interviews the client to identify the specific objects, situations, or thoughts that trigger their anxiety or fear.

2. Step (C) - The therapist prepares a hierarchy of anxiety provoking stimulus with least anxiety provoking at the bottom:
Using the information gathered from the interview, the therapist and client collaboratively construct an anxiety hierarchy. This is a ranked list of fear-arousing situations, starting from the least threatening scenario at the bottom to the most terrifying scenario at the top.

3. Step (A) - The therapist relaxes the client and asks him to think about the least anxiety provoking situation:
Once the client is trained in deep muscle relaxation techniques, the desensitization process begins. While in a state of deep relaxation, the client is asked to imagine the weakest item on the anxiety hierarchy (the least anxiety-provoking situation).

4. Step (D) - The client is asked to stop thinking of the fearful situation if the slightest tension is felt:
If the client experiences any anxiety or tension while imagining the situation, they signal the therapist. The client is immediately instructed to stop visualizing the scene and focus back on re-establishing a state of complete relaxation. The step is repeated until the scene can be imagined without any anxiety.

5. Step (E) - Over the sessions, the client is able to imagine more severe fear provoking situations while maintaining the relaxation:
Gradually, over multiple sessions, the client systematically progresses up the hierarchy. They successfully pair relaxation with increasingly severe fear-provoking situations until they can visualize the most threatening scenario at the top of the hierarchy without feeling anxious.

Therefore, the logical and systematic order of these steps is (B) → (C) → (A) → (D) → (E).