Question 1

What is behavioral therapy?

Accepted Answer

Behavioral therapy is the use of behavior modification strategies to treat clients with mental health problems. It is based on the conception that people can be trained to change their behavior and adopt positive coping skills to compensate for behavioral flaws. Behavioral therapy can be used to treat a wide range of cognitive disorders such as attention deficit disorders (ADD) and autism spectrum disorders. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the most applied behavioral therapy due to its effectiveness in improving the client's condition and quality of life.

Question 2

What is the difference between CBT and behavioral therapy?

Accepted Answer

The terms cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and behavioral therapy are often used interchangeably together in the field. However, there is a clear distinction between the two therapies regarding therapy techniques and approaches. Typically, behavioral therapy focuses on manipulating the patient's external environment and internal physiological environment to cause the desired behavior change. It employs several methods such as social skills training, habit reversal training, observational learning, behavior modification to achieve the change. By contrast, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) considers thinking as the main factor for change. The treatment seeks to evaluate the validity of the patients' thoughts and beliefs. The therapist also seeks to establish and assess what the patient expects and predicts and their attributions for causes of events.

Question 3

When should I see a behavioral therapist?

Accepted Answer

Determining whether or not you have mental issues such as depression or anxiety can be a tough call. Mental issues such as depression can take various forms, and it is imperative to familiarize yourself with the signs so that you seek timely help. If you are regularly irritated, have lost interest in activities, or are experiencing changes in eating habits and sleep patterns, it is time to see a therapist. Besides, if you continuously entertain thoughts of suicide and death, you definitely need help. Additionally, if safety towards yourself and others is becoming a significant issue of concern or if your emotional or behavioral problems impact your functioning and daily activities, seek professional help immediately.

Question 4

What is an example of behavior therapy?

Accepted Answer

Behavioral therapy is an umbrella term that refers to different treatment methods used to manage and treat mental health complications. Behavioral therapy seeks to identify self-destructive or unhealthy behaviors in patients to change them for the better.

It is anchored on the premise that all human behaviors are learned, and unhealthy behaviors can be unlearned or changed. Behavioral therapy typically focuses on the current problem and how to change it. Examples of behavioral therapy include:

Cognitive-behavioral play therapy
System desensitization
Aversion therapy

Cognitive-behavioral play therapy - this type of treatment is commonly used with children. The therapist takes time to watch how the child plays to gain insights into what the child cannot express or is uncomfortable expressing. Children are allowed to choose preferred toys which they will use to play freely.

The children are also encouraged to draw pictures and use the toys to create scenes in the sandbox. From these images that they draw, the therapist gets insights on hidden the child's subconscious mind.

System desensitization utilizes classical conditioning as an effective treatment for several mental disorders. This kind of therapy is usually used to treat phobia related problems. Patients are guided on how to substitute fear responses with relaxation responses. They will then be exposed slowly to their fear stimuli once they have mastered the treatment.

Aversion therapy is commonly used for problems associated with substance abuse and alcoholism.Therapists typically teach the patients how to associate an unhealthy stimulus that they often desire with an overly unpleasant stimulus.

For this kind of therapy to be effective, the unpleasant stimulus has to cause much discomfort. For example, the therapist may teach you how to associate heroin with a very unpleasant memory.

What is behavioral therapy?

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