What is a key limitation of systematic desensitisation?

Systematic desensitisation is a therapeutic method used to help individuals confront and overcome phobias and anxiety through gradual exposure to the feared object or situation while using relaxation techniques. One key limitation of this approach is that it does not directly address the underlying causes or root issues that contribute to the phobia. This means that while a patient may learn to cope with or reduce their fear response through systematic desensitisation, any deeper psychological issues or experiences that triggered the phobia initially might remain unresolved. As a result, the individual could still experience anxiety related to the underlying causes, even if their immediate fear has lessened. This limitation emphasizes the need for a more comprehensive treatment approach that combines techniques like systematic desensitisation with other therapeutic strategies to address those deeper psychological factors.