Serial Sophro-correction

Overview

Serial sophro-correction (SCS) is one of the most widely used specific techniques in sophrology. Developed by Alfonso Caycedo, it is partially inspired by Joseph Wolpe's systematic desensitization while integrating it within the phenomenological framework of sophrology. The principle is simple but powerful: in a state of deep relaxation (sophroliminal level), the practitioner mentally relives situations that trigger their fear or anxiety, starting from the least anxiety-inducing to the most intense.

Unlike Wolpe's behavioral method that works on conditioning, SCS invites the practitioner to phenomenologically experience the situation — observing bodily sensations, emotions, and thoughts without trying to control them. Progressive repetition allows natural habituation and transformation of the emotional experience associated with the feared situation.

Core Principles

• Fear hierarchy: establishing a scale of anxiety-inducing situations from 0 (no anxiety) to 10 (maximum panic)
• Prior relaxation: each imaginary exposure takes place in a state of deep relaxation, preventing the usual anxiety response
• Gradual progression: moving to the next level only when the previous one no longer generates anxiety
• Phenomenological vivance: the practitioner doesn't just imagine the scene, they experience it with all senses (sight, hearing, smell, touch, taste)
• Positive repetition: each session ends with a successful projection into the feared situation

Main Indications

• Specific phobias (flying, spiders, heights, elevators, blood)
• Social phobia and performance anxiety
• Stage fright and fear of public speaking
• Anticipatory anxiety (exams, interviews, competitions)
• Fear of childbirth
• Anxiety related to medical or dental care
• Mild to moderate agoraphobia

Session Structure

A complete SCS protocol takes place over 6 to 12 weekly sessions:

1. Session 1 — Assessment and hierarchy: the sophrologist establishes with the patient a list of anxiety-inducing situations, ranked from least to most intense. For example, for flight phobia: watching a plane in the sky (2/10), booking a ticket (4/10), arriving at the airport (6/10), boarding the plane (8/10), takeoff (10/10)
2. Following sessions — Progressive desensitization: after basic sophronization (10 min), the practitioner is guided to mentally relive the first level. The sophrologist accompanies them in observing sensations without fleeing. When the level is experienced serenely (after 2-3 exposures), they move to the next
3. Final sessions — Consolidation: the practitioner relives the entire hierarchy at once, ending with a positive projection into the future where they face the situation with serenity

Variations

SCS can be combined with progressive sophro-acceptance to reinforce positive anchoring. Some sophrologists add a bodily dimension by asking the practitioner to reproduce physical sensations associated with fear (heart acceleration, muscle tension) then transform them through breathing. In pediatric sophrology, SCS uses metaphors adapted for children (the superhero gradually confronting the monster).

Contraindications

• Severe post-traumatic stress disorder (risk of traumatic reactivation — prefer EMDR or trauma-informed therapy)
• Panic disorder with severe agoraphobia (requires a more structured therapeutic framework)
• Active psychosis
• Phobia related to untreated trauma