Hofstra Study Aims To Conquer Arachnophobia With Exposure To Spiders

HEMPSTEAD, NY — Do you get a chill down your spine when you see a spider in your house? Do you scream when you see one scurry along your wall or floor? Then a study at Hofstra University to help people overcome their arachnophobia may be just what you need.

But there's a catch: it involves getting up close and personal with spiders.

A psychology research team at Hofstra is conducting a study this summer to prove the best way to get over a fear of spiders is to get to know them better and spend time with them. The duo — William Sanderson III, a doctoral student in Hofstra's clinical psychology program, and his faculty mentor, Prof. Mitchell Schare — are offering free therapy sessions this summer to help patients get over their fears of the creepy crawlies.

They are using exposure-based therapy, in which therapists help patients overcome their fears by exposing them to things that trigger their fear response. The goal is to help them learn to manage their fears. In this case, that means getting close to spiders.

“Many people are working from home or will be home on vacation this summer,” Sanderson said. “People with a fear of spiders would normally call on a family member or friend to get rid of the unwanted visitor. But since we are entertaining less and spending more time alone, this is not always possible.”

The study will also examine the efficacy of telehealth services for exposure therapy. The study participants will be in a separate room from Sanderson and Schare, who will communicate with them over Zoom.

The participant's only live company in the room will be Southern crevice spiders, which will be in a clear case. The spiders are common household spiders that most Long Islanders have seen at one time or another.

“Since the outbreak of COVID, many psychologists have continued to treat patients through teletherapy,” said Sanderson. “We know this is effective for a variety of conditions, but how it works for exposure-based therapy — which requires a psychologist to carefully regulate and guide the behaviors and emotions of a client — is not yet known.”

If selected for the study, participants will go for a single treatment session that would last no longer than three hours. They'll even get a chance to handle the spiders, if they want.

“There is the potential to handle a spider,” Sanderson said. “However, participants are never told what they ‘have to do.’ Exposure therapy is gradual and progressive. The goal of this single session is to significantly reduce anxiety.”

The study will run for four to six weeks over the summer. Those interested in participating need to complete this survey to see if they qualify. Spots are limited.