For the FWO funded project “Using Mental Imagery to Rescript Emotional Memories in a Fear Conditioning Paradigm” we are seeking a PhD student who has affinity with clinical psychology and experimental research.

The aim of this project is to investigate the working mechanisms of imagery rescripting in order to enhance exposure treatment for anxiety disorders. Although exposure-based treatments are recommended as a treatment for anxiety disorders, many patients do not recover or relapse after initial remission. In the present project, we explore how imagery rescripting affects extinction learning and return of fear (relapse).

The project is experimental and laboratory-based, making use of a pavlovian fear conditioning paradigm. However, the results will inform clinical practice in order to enhance current treatments for anxiety.