My report on counselling

1. Behavioral
Therapy
Apple Albania
Hannah Arielle Julian
Kreezelle San Esteban

2. What is Behavioral Therapy?
• Behavioural therapy is an action-based therapy that
looks to foster positive behaviour change. Other
therapies such as psychoanalytic therapy tend to be
more focused on insight and delving into the past. In
behavioural therapy, the past is still important as it
often reveals where and when the unwanted
behaviour was learned, however it looks more so at
present behaviour and ways in which it can be
rectified.
• The premise behind behavioural therapy is that
behaviour can be both learned and un-learned. The
goal is to help the individual learn new, positive
behaviours which will minimise or eliminate the issue.

4. There are various ways this can be
done depending on the problem
itself. The main disciplines of
behavioural therapy are:

5. Applied behaviour analysis
• Where behaviour change is instigated
using operant and/or classical conditioning
and positive reinforcement.

6. Cognitive behaviour therapy
• An integrative therapy that combines
elements of behavioural therapy with
cognitive therapy.

7. Social learning theory
• A theory that revolves around the nature of
imitation and learning.

8. Principles of behavioural therapy
• There are two key principles that form the
foundations of behavioural therapy -
classical conditioning and operant
conditioning.

9. Classical conditioning
• Behavioural therapy that is based on
classical conditioning uses a number of
techniques to bring about behaviour
change.
1. Flooding
2. Systematic desensitisation
3. Aversion therapy

10. Flooding
• Flooding is a process generally used for those with
phobias and anxiety and involves exposing the
individual to objects/situations they are afraid of in an
intense and fast manner.
• An example of this would be exposing a person who is
afraid of dogs to a dog for an extended period of time.
The longer this continues with nothing bad happening,
the less fearful the person becomes.
• The idea is that the person cannot escape the
object/situation during the process and therefore must
confront their fear head on. Obviously this method can
be disconcerting and may only be suitable for certain
situations.

11. Systematic desensitisation
• This technique works on a similar premise to flooding,
however it is more gradual. The therapist would begin by
asking the individual to write a list of fears they have. Once
this list is written, the therapist will teach relaxation techniques
for the individual to use while thinking about the list of fears.
Working their way up from the least fear-inducing item to the
most fear-inducing item - the therapist will help the individual
confront their fears in a relaxed state.
• An example of this would be a person who is afraid of small
spaces. They may start by thinking about a small space or
looking at an image of a small space while utilising relaxation
techniques, and work their way up to being in a small space.
This pairing of the fear-inducing item and newly learned
relaxation behaviour aims to eliminate the phobia or anxiety.

12. Aversion therapy
• This process pairs undesirable behaviour with
some form of aversive stimulus with the aim of
reducing unwanted behaviour.
• An example of how this is commonly used is when
an alcoholic is prescribed a certain drug that
induces nausea, anxiety and headaches when
combined with alcohol.
• This means every time the person drinks, they get
negative side effects. This hopes to put off that
person from drinking to help them overcome their
addiction.

13. Contingency management
• A more formal approach, contingency
management involves a written contract
between the therapist and individual that
outlines goals, rewards and penalties. For
some, having this kind of clear agreement
helps to change behaviour and add a
sense of accountability.

14. Operant conditioning
• Operant conditioning uses techniques such
as positive reinforcement, punishment and
modelling to help alter behaviour. The
following strategies may be used within this
type of therapy:
• Token economies
• Contingency management
• Modelling
• Extinction

15. Token economies
• This strategy relies on positive
reinforcement - offering individuals 'tokens'
that can be exchanged for privileges or
desired items when positive behaviour is
exhibited. This is a common tactic used by
parents and teachers to help improve the
behaviour of children.

16. Modelling
• Modelling involves learning through
observation and imitation of others. Having
a positive role model can give individuals
something to aim for, allowing them to
change their behaviour to match their role
model's. This role model may be the
therapist or someone the individual
already knows.

17. Extinction
• Extinction works by removing any type of
reinforcement to behaviour.
• An example of this would be a disruptive child
who is given a time-out or told to sit on the
'naughty step'. By removing them from the
situation (and associated attention) the
behaviour should stop. This premise can be
carried across to adults too - however the
'naughty step' will probably be given a
different name.

18. What Is Behavioral Therapy Used
For?
Behavioral therapy is used by
psychotherapists, psychiatrists, and
other qualified medical professionals.
It is usually used to help treat anxiety
and mood disorders. These include:
• obsessive-compulsive disorder
(OCD)
• post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD)
• depression
• social phobia
• bipolar disorder
• Schizophrenia
treatment can help patients cope with
certain mental disorders. It can also be
used to treat:
• autism
• personality disorders
• substance abuse
• eating disorders
This therapy is also used on patients with
chronic diseases to help manage pain. For
example, cancer patients use learned
techniques to better cope with radiation
therapy. Doctors often recommend
behavioral modification to pregnant
women who can’t safely take medications.
This form of treatment can also help with
emotional grief.

19. Stages of Treatments

20. Role Playing
• This is used to help the person develop new
skills and anticipate issues that may come up
in social interactions.
Example:
• One of the reasons that Bill stays home alone
so much is that he is shy around people. He
does not know how to start a conversation
with strangers. Bill and his therapist work on
this by practicing with each other on how to
start a conversation.

21. Self-Monitoring
• This is the first stage of treatment. The person is
asked to keep a detailed log of all of their activities
during the day. By examining the list at the next
session, the therapist can see exactly what the person
is doing.
Example:
• Bill, who is being seen for depression, returns with his
self-monitoring list for the past week. His therapist
notices that it consists of Bill going to work in the
morning, returning home at 5:30 p.m. and watching
television uninterrupted until 11 p.m. and then going to
bed.

22. Schedule of Weekly Activities
• This is where the patient and therapist work
together to develop new activities that will provide
the patient with chances for positive experience.
Example:
• Looking at his self-monitoring sheet, Bill and his
therapist determine that watching so much
television alone gives little opportunity for positive
social interaction. Therefore, they decide that Bill
will have dinner out with a friend once a week after
work and join a bowling league.

23. Behavior Modification
• In this technique the patient will receive a
reward for engaging in positive behavior.
Example:
• Bill wants a new fishing rod. He and his
therapist set up a behavior modification
contract where he will reward himself with a
new fishing rod when he reduces his TV
watching to one hour a day and becomes
involved in three new activities.

24. Techniques Used
Therapists create treatment plans specifically tailored to
individual conditions. Some exercises may include:
• discussions about coping mechanisms
• role playing
• breathing and relaxation methods
• positive reinforcement
• activities to promote focus
• journal writing
• social skills training
• modifications in responses to anger, fear, and pain
Therapists sometimes ask patients to think about situations that
scare them. The goal is not to frighten them but to help them
develop different coping skills.

25. Benefits
The general benefit is increased quality of life.
Specific benefits vary depending on what condition is
being treated. These can include:
• reduced incidents of self-harm
• improved social skills
• better functioning in unfamiliar situations
• improved emotional expressions
• less outbursts
• better pain management
• ability to recognize the need for medical help

26. Risks of Behavioral Therapy
• The goal of behavioral therapy is to limit self-
harm. The risks for this treatment are
minimal. Some patients consider the
emotional aspects of the sessions risky.
Exploring feelings and anxieties can cause
bursts of crying and anger. The emotional
aftermath of therapy can be physically
exhausting and painful. A therapist will help to
improve coping mechanisms and to minimize
any side effects from therapy.

27. Preparing for Behavioral Therapy
• Generally, a primary physician or neurologist will refer patients to
another doctor who specializes in behavioral therapy. Some
psychotherapists also perform these treatments. Always check the
credentials of your therapist. A credible behavioral therapist should
have a degree as well as a license or certification.
• Because therapy sessions are frequent, it is important that the
patient and doctor get on well. Patients can request a consultation
before beginning treatment.
• Therapy sessions can become a financial burden. Some insurance
providers do cover behavioral therapy. Others may only grant a
portion of the costs or allot a certain number of sessions per year.
Before beginning therapy, patients should discuss the coverage with
your health insurance company and create a payment plan.

28. Results
• Behavioral therapy is not a cure for any condition. It is
a teaching method to help cope with everyday life.
Depending on individual needs, a person may only
need it on a short-term basis. The exact length of a
treatment plan depends on individual goals and
progress made.
• During treatment it is important to continue taking any
medications as prescribed by a doctor. Some research
shows that learned techniques in therapy may
gradually reduce the need for medicine. However,
each case is different. Speak with a doctor if treatment
doesn’t seem to be working.

32. Salamat 