A case of kleptomania treated by covert sensitization

A client with a history of daily compulsive shoplifting of 14 years' duration was treated by covert sensitization. By her preference, the aversive imagery used was that of nausea and vomiting, as described by Cautela (1967), rather than that of being apprehended by the authorities used by later workers. On 19-month follow-up she was free of stealing behaviour apart from a single lapse, and there were corresponding improvements in her self-esteem and socialization.