Types of Behavioral Therapy and Their Uses

Behavioral therapy is a term that describes a broad range of techniques used to treat mental health disorders. This form of therapy is helpful to identify and change unhealthy or negative behaviors. It focuses on the goal of reinforcing desirable behaviors and eliminating unwanted behaviors.

Photo by cottonbro from Pexels

Most common disorders treated in behavior therapy:

· Panic disorders

· Paranoia

· Anxiety

· Anger management issues

Behavioral Therapy also alleviates symptoms for:

· Addiction

· Autism

· Eating disorders

· Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

· Phobias

· Self-mutilation

· Bipolar disorder

· Obsessive-compulsive disorder

· Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Types of behavioral therapy

There are several different types of behavioral therapies. The therapy used depends on a variety of factors. Below is a list of therapies commonly used:

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): uses a cognitive element to focus on problematic thoughts that lie behind behaviors.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA): uses operant conditioning to modify and shape problematic behaviors.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy: is a form of CBT that utilizes both cognitive and behavioral techniques. It helps children learn to manage their emotions, cope with stress and teach them to improve interpersonal relationships.

Exposure Therapy: A therapy that uses behavioral techniques to help children overcome their fears of objects or situations. It is often used to treat phobias and other kinds of anxiety.

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT): focuses on identifying destructive or negative feelings and thoughts. Children learn how to replace undesirable thoughts with realistic and rational thoughts.

Social Learning Theory: is a therapy that centers around observing how children learn. Observations are conducted on how a child acts while being punished or rewarded. This therapy leads to learning and behavior changes.

Effectiveness of Behavioral Therapy

Behavioral therapy has been successful for many children with different conditions. One study on cognitive behavioral therapy reports that it is one of the most effective treatments for:

· Bulimia

· General stress

· Anxiety disorders

· Somatoform disorders

· Anger control problems

Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy and Play-Therapy are beneficial treatments for children. The treatments involves enabling children to respond to situations more positively. The central part of these therapies includes giving consequences to negative behavior and rewarding the positive. It may take children time to trust their counselor. Once they spend more time together in sessions, children will open up and express themselves. Parents must reinforce the therapy techniques in the child’s everyday life for maximum benefit.

Conclusion

Behavioral therapy can help many children with disorders including ADHD and autism. The right behavioral therapist can provide the appropriate treatment options for your child’s condition.