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Running Head: Behavioral Therapy Theory
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Counseling Theory and Practice:
Behavioral Therapy Theory
Jenna Washuleski
Behavioral Therapy Theory
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Behavioral Therapy Theory
Behavioral therapy focuses on helping an individual understand how changing their
behavior can lead to changes in how they are feeling. Behavioral therapy can treat clients, help
them cope, or help them manage pain. This theory is used for OCD, PTSD, depression, social
phobia, bipolar disorders, schizophrenia, autism, personality disorders, and eating disorders. In
this paper, I will reflect how behavioral therapy applies to substance abuse counseling; as well as
the key concepts, goals, and techniques (Corey, 2009).
Edward Thorndike was the first person to identify the theory in the 1950s. In the earlier
years, Joseph Wolpe and Hans Eysenck contributed. B.F. Skinner is the most known for his major
influence and impact on this theory. He introduced many of the key concepts and techniques
that are stilled use today (Cherry, 2012). This is a goal-oriented approach that focuses on current
problems. Its primary focus is to increase personal choice and create new conditions of learning.
The idea is that people can develop healthier behaviors while eliminating negative behaviors
(Corey, 2009).
Behavioral therapist believe that people do things based on the past consequences of
their actions. Which means that people have learned to act the way that they do; therefore, they
can unlearn the negative behaviors that they have established. If someone does something that
leads to a positive outcome, then the person is more likely to do it again. For instance, users begin
to associate alcohol or drugs as a reward, which leads to increased desire to use it over and over.
Reward and punishment can be beneficial tools when trying to encourage individuals to develop
healthier behaviors (Cherney, 2013).
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Behavioral therapist believe that there are four areas of development: classical
conditioning, operant conditioning, social learning therapy, and cognitive behavior therapy.
Classical conditioning refers to what happens prior to learning that creates a response through
pairing. When a type of learning where behaviors are influenced mainly by the consequences
that follow them, it is called operant conditioning. Social impairment therapy is interactional and
interdisciplinary. In the last 3 decades, there has been an emphasis on cognitive process (Corey,
2009).
The key concepts of behavioral therapy is that the person is the producer and the product
of his or her environment. Therapy is focused on developing procedures that actually give control
to clients, which then increases their range of freedom. This means that the therapist increases
selection of possibilities that were not available earlier. Behavioral therapy is also aimed at
increasing the client’s skills so that they have more options for responding to particular situations
(Corey, 2009).
There are six characteristics to behavioral therapy. First, the therapy is based on principles
and procedures of the scientific method. Next, it deals with the client’s current problems and the
factors influencing them. Third, in order to deal with their problems, clients are expected to play
an active role engaging specific action. The fourth characteristic is that change can take place
without insight into underlying dynamics (Corey, 2009).
Next, the focus is on assessing overt and covert behavior directly, identifying the
problems, and evaluating change. The final characteristic is that interventions are individualized
for each client in order to work on specific problems experienced by the client. So far, I like the
perspective of this theory (Corey, 2009). There are parts about it that I really enjoy, agree with,
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and can see myself doing as a professional. Then, there are also parts that I don’t feel comfortable
with, and may not apply them to the treatment of clients.
While working with those with addictions, behavioral therapists’ goals are to modify
behavior in relation to substance abuse, improve skills for healthy living, and modify attitudes
towards alcohol and drug abuse. Other goals consist of encouraging people to stay in treatment
longer, to help the individual get more from rehab and other treatments, and to enhance the
effects of medications. Medication is gradually reduced as the client becomes healthier (AR,
2015).
There are several different kinds of behavior therapies that I can use as a professional
substance abuse counselor working with addicts: overt sensitization, covert sensitization,
cognitive-behavioral therapy, token economy, and motivational interviewing. Over sensitization
is when bad behavior is paired with an undesirable affect. For example, the drug Antabuse is
given to alcoholics to encourage them to stop drinking by making them very sick when they have
alcohol. I would never use this method, but I see how negative consequence for a negative action
would make sense (AR, 2015).
Covert sensitization is an aversion therapy where the individual mentally pictures the
negative consequence instead of experiencing it. I can imagine having the client hypothetically
go over the negative consequences, but wouldn’t do more than that. Cognitive-behavioral
therapy is when a counselor helps the client understand their thoughts and emotions. “The
individual learns that while they might not always be able to control what happens in the outside
world, they will be able to control their thoughts and feelings about it” (AR, 2015). I really liked
this quote, and strongly agree with that perspective.
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When an individual receives rewards for good behaviors, it is called a token economy. The
client is typically given some form of token which they can later use to gain items or privileges
(AR, 2015). On one had I see how this works, but on the other hand, I feel as if I am trying to train
an animal instead of help change a person. It makes me think about how we treat children, and I
know that some individuals might need to be treated this way; however, I don’t think it’s really
my style.
Motivational interviewing is something that I really enjoy doing. I will no doubt use this
method in my counseling techniques. I like it because it involves challenging and encouraging
people to take action to change their behavior. The therapist helps the client gain deeper
understanding of who they are, their addiction, and how they can get better. In my motivational
interviewing class, I have seen how these skills can really help influence someone on the path to
change (AR, 2015).
There are many behavioral therapy techniques that I could apply to my clients as a
professional: role playing, behavior modification, self-monitoring, scheduling of activities, and
behavioral contracts. Role playing is a great way for a client to improve their understanding on
a particular situation and learn how they can alter their behavior to these situations. Behavior
modification is when the client receives a reward for desirable behavior (AR, 2015).
Self-monitoring consist of a client writes in a journal throughout their day. The person
then shares with the therapies details about their actions. As a professional, I could apply this by
asking a client to record how much they are drinking or abusing substances. The scheduling of
activities technique in when the client agrees with the therapist about being involved in particular
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activities before the next session. The activity is in a positive nature, which will encourage the
client to change their behavior (AR, 2015).
Lastly, behavior contracts involves the client signing a contract that they will not engage
in undesirable behavior again. If they end up breaking the contract, there will be consequences.
There can also be a reward if the client abides by the contract. Once again, I do not know how I
feel about this technique for the reasoning that I feel like I’m treating a person like an animal. I
understand the point of the technique and how it works; however, I feel I would take a different
direction (AR, 2015). A few other techniques include: extinction, discussing coping mechanisms,
breathing and relaxation methods, activities to promote focus, and social skills training that
modifies the client’s responses to anger, fear, and pain (Corey, 2009).
There are numerous benefits that addicts can get from behavioral therapy. Clients will
reduce self-harm, improve their social skills and emotional expressions, and will experience less
outburst. The client will have better functioning in unfamiliar situations, have the ability to
recognize the need for medical or professional help, and will have better pain management. It is
essential to know that behavioral therapy does not cure any condition. Instead, it teaches clients
how to cope with everyday life (Cherney, 2013). I am going to take some of these concepts and
techniques and apply them when necessary while working with others in order to give them the
best treatment possible.
Behavioral Therapy Theory
Beneficial Sources:
1. http://psychology.tools/download-therapy-worksheets.html
Here is a great website that has many worksheets that therapist can use with clients.
2. http://psychology.tools/addiction.html
Worksheets for those with addiction, along with assessments and interventions.
3. https://rosehillcenter.org/behavioral-therapy-techniques/
Behavioral therapy techniques for recovery.
4. http://nursingplanet.com/pn/behaviour_therapy.html
Behavioral therapy techniques based on classical conditioning.
5. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1389786/
Behavioral perspectives of drug addiction.
References:
1. Corey, G. (2009). Behavioral Therapy. In Theory and Practice of Counseling and
Psychotherapy (8th ed., pp. 235-266). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole Pub.
2. Cherry, K. (2012). What is Behavioral Therapy? About Psychology. Retrieved April 28,
2015, from http://psychology.about.com/od/typesofpsychotherapy/a/behavioraltherapy.htm
3. Cherney, K. (2013, June 4). Behavioral Therapy. Retrieved April 28, 2015, from
http://www.healthline.com/health/behavioral-therapy#Uses2
4. AR. (2015). Behavior Therapy - Alcohol Rehab. Retrieved April 28, 2015, from
http://alcoholrehab.com/drug-addiction-treatment/behavior-therapy/
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