Behavioral therapy is a form of therapy that is based on the principles of behaviorism . The school of thought known as behaviorism focuses on the idea that we learn from our environment .
In behavioral therapy, the objective is to reinforce desirable behaviors and eliminate unwanted or maladaptive behaviors. The methods used in this type of treatment are on the basis of the theories of classical conditioning and operant conditioning .
One important thing to keep in mind about different behavioral therapies is that unlike other theoretical-practical approaches, behavioral therapy is action-based . Thus, behavioral therapists focus on the use of the same learning strategies that led to the formation of unwanted behaviors, guiding the therapy towards the acquisition of new behaviors.
The behavior itself is the problem , and the aim is to teach patients new behaviors to minimize or eliminate the problem in this way. It is considered that the old learning led to the development of a problem, so the idea is that new learning can fix it.
The Basics of Behavioral Therapy
The two basic principles that make up behavioral therapy are classical conditioning and operant conditioning. Classical conditioning involves forming associations between stimuli.
Operant conditioning on your part focuses on how reinforcement and punishment can be used to increase or decrease the frequency of a behavior.
Classical conditioning is a way of altering behavior, and there are a number of techniques aimed at producing this change. Originally known as behavior modification, the main techniques used from this approach are flood, systematic desensitization, exposure or aversive therapy.
Another group of techniques are those based on the principles of operant conditioning , which means that they use reinforcement, punishment, training, modeling and other related techniques to modify behavior.
These methods have the advantage of being very focused on the problem behavior , which allows rapid and effective results to be produced.
Some of the techniques and strategies used from this approach are the economy of cards, the management of contingencies or the extinction of behaviors.
Is behavioral therapy effective?
When it comes to specific behavioral problems, behavioral therapy can often be more effective than other approaches.
Phobias, panic disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder are examples of problems that respond well to behavioral treatments.
However, it is important to keep in mind that behavior-centered approaches are not always the best solution.
For example, behavioral therapy is not generally the best approach in the treatment of more serious psychological disorders, such as depression, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.
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