In sensu

In psychotherapy, the suffix "in sensu" refers to a technique in behavioral therapy that is based on imagination. It is a type of confrontation (exposure to a fearful stimulus) that takes place through imagination exercises alone. The goal is for an approach to the fear to take place and for it to end up being perceived as less threatening and, in the best case, to be resolved. For example, if the client is afraid of driving a car, he repeatedly exposes himself to the situation of driving a car in his mind. In hypnosis, one tries to make the fears, which usually lie in the subconscious, become conscious, so that a real evaluation of them is possible. Thus, in hypnosis, the fears are also dealt with imaginary.