Behavioral Therapy

Behavioral Therapy philosophy:

Behavior therapy is the product of learning. We are both the product and the producer of the environment. Traditional behavior therapy is based in classical and operant principles. Contemporary behavior theory has branched in many directions. (Gerald Corey)

Key People

B.F. Skinner – has been considered the “father” of behavioral therapy. He believed that was had thoughts and feelings but that they were linked to our environment. Our environment determined what we thought and felt.

Albert Bandura- he was the creator of social cognitive theory. It has some existential qualities to his theory.

Arnold Lazarus- he is stated to be the pioneer of clinical behavior therapy. He was acquainted with Bandura

Behavioral therapy is focused on changing behavior in our environment

Techniques you might see in Behavioral Therapy

·         Applied Behavioral Analysis: Operant condition techniques

·         Progressive Muscle Relaxation

·         Systematic Desensitization

·         In Vivo Exposure and Flooding

·         Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing

·         Social Skills Training

·         Self-management Programs and Self-directed Behavior

·         Multi Modal Therapy

·         Mindfulness and Acceptance

Four Main Areas of Behavioral Therapy

•  Classical Conditioning
• Operant Conditioning
• Postitve reinforcement
• Negative Reinforcement
• Exstinction
• Positive punishment
• Negative punishment
• Social-Cognitive Theory
• Increasing attention on what is causing behavior

 Client and therapist have clearly defined roles in behavioral therapy. Since the behavioral therapy relies heavy on the scientific method the therapist has a clear way to assess the client. The client and the therapist roles are highly active in the therapy.  Lazarus believes that the client and therapist need a working relationship and that the therapist needs to be able to flexible and versatile. The therapist is teaching the client to modify behavior.Behavior therapy is not very emotional or concerned with feelings.

Here is a couple videos I thought were funny :)

Helpful links

http://unt.unice.fr/uoh/learn_teach_FL/affiche_theorie.php?id_theoricien=8

http://www.nndb.com/people/297/000022231/