Behavior Therapy is a treatment approach based on the application of findings from behavioral science
research to help improve the quality of life for individuals, couples, families and
systems in ways they would like to change. A major assumption is that although the
past is significant, the
current environment is most important in affecting present
behavior. The focus in treatment is to improve self-control by expanding skills and
abilities.
Behavioral therapy can be a useful treatment
tool in an array of mental illnesses and symptoms of mental illness that involve
maladaptive behavior, such as:
- substance abuse
- aggressive behavior
- anger management
- eating disorders
- phobias
- anxiety disorders
Behavioral therapy is also used to treat organic
disorders such as incontinence and insomnia by changing the behaviors that might
be contributing to these disorders. Behavioral therapy, or behavior modification,
is based on the assumption that emotional problems, like any behavior, are learned
responses to the environment and can be unlearned. Unlike psychodynamic therapies,
it does not focus on uncovering or understanding the un-conscious motivations that may
be behind the maladaptive behavior. In other words, behavioral therapists
don't try to find out why their patients behave the way they do, they
just teach them to change the
behavior.
As an adult, child or adolescent, your life may be hindered by unwanted
or excessive emotions such as anxiety, depression, fear or anger. You may also feel
burdened by worrisome or disturbing thoughts and unhelpful behaviors such as sleep
difficulties, procrastination, anger outbursts and addictive or repetitive behaviors.
You may just have difficulty coping with the stress of daily life. Learning or attention
disorders may impede your success or the success of your child. Behavior Therapy can help
you address these and other roadblocks to achieving success and happiness.
Initial
treatment sessions are typically spent explaining the basic tenets of behavioral therapy
to the patient and establishing a positive working relationship between therapist and
patient.
Behavioral therapy is a collaborative, action-oriented therapy, and as such,
it empowers patients by giving them an active role in the treatment process. It also
discourages overdependence on the therapist, a situation that may occur in other
therapeutic relationships. Treatment is typically administered in an out-patient setting
and is relatively short compared to other forms of psychotherapy. Behavioral therapy
techniques are sometimes combined with other psychological interventions such as medication.
Treatment depends on the individual patient and the severity of symptoms surrounding the
behavioral problem.
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