Which method is primarily aimed at helping individuals cope with phobias by gradually introducing them to their fears?

Systematic desensitization is the correct choice as it is a therapeutic technique specifically designed to help individuals manage phobias through a gradual process of exposure to the feared object or situation. This method integrates relaxation techniques with gradual exposure, allowing the individual to confront their fear in a controlled and safe environment. By starting with less anxiety-provoking scenarios and gradually progressing to more intense exposures, individuals can learn to decrease their anxiety response and become desensitized to their phobia over time.

The process typically involves the creation of an exposure hierarchy, where situations related to the phobia are ranked by their degree of fear-inducing potential. The individual works through this hierarchy while employing relaxation strategies, thereby reinforcing coping mechanisms and reducing anxiety.

While aversion therapy focuses on creating an unpleasant response to undesirable behaviors, cognitive behavioral therapy encompasses a broader range of strategies to challenge and change thought patterns and behaviors, and emotional regulation training centers around managing emotional responses rather than directly addressing specific fears. This differentiates systematic desensitization as a targeted approach for phobia management.