Family Systems Therapy

Starting on a light note, here is a funny little skit on youtube from the Simpson's going to a family therapist (I think my family can look like this from time to time)...

 

 

 

(Youtube, 2012)


But on a more serious note this is what family therapy really looks like...

(Youtube, 2009)

 

 

 

Founders: Alfred Adler (1870-1937), Murray Bowen (1913-1990), Virginia Satir (1916-1988), Carl Whitaker (1912-1995), Salvador Minuchin (b.1921), Jay Haley (1923-2007), and Cole Madanes (b.1941)

 

 Corey 2013 provides a great table below, I really like how this table was made, helps put it all in perspective...

 

                                                            Human    Experiential  Structural  Strategic

         Adlerian      Mulit-family         Validation    Symbolic       Family       Family   

Key figures: Alfred

Adler, Rudolf       Murray Bowen       Virginia     Carl            Salvador       Jay Haley

Dreikurs,                                                Satir       Whitaker    Minuchin           &

Oscar Christensen,                                                                                            Cloe

& Manford Sonstefard                                                                                   Madanes

  

Time    Present with     Present &      Here           Present      Present &      Present &

Focus: some                       past           and now                         Past               future

reference to the 

past

 

Therapy                  Differentiate       Promote        Promote     Restructure  Eliminate

Goals: enable          the self; change  growth, self-  spontaneity   Family         problem

parents as leaders;   the individual   esteem, and                       organization;

unlock mistaken       within the         connection;                       change

goals and                   context of the     help family                      dysfunctional

interactional            system;              communicate                    transactional

patterns in family;    decrease          congruently                       patterns

promotion of             anxiety             and interactively

effective parenting

                                                                                                                                              

 

Techniques: According to Corey 2013, there is a multi-layered process of family therapy which requires multiple sessions for each movement the following 4 movements are described below...

1. Forming a relationship- on first session the therapist should try to connect with the family as a unit, in which mutual respect, caring, empathy, and a genuine interest in others is primary.
2. Conducting an Assessment- first by starting with a genogram, like starting with a map of the family. The parents are listed with their name, age, and date of birth in either a rectangle or a circle. Following with the rest of the family below parents, then a deeper assessment of questions are taken. 
3. Hypothesizing and Sharing meaning- in family therapy, hypothesizing flows from the ideas and understandings generated in the assessment process. Two questions are usually formulated:

• How much faith do the therapist and the family have in the ideas they generate?
• How much of an influence is the therapist willing to be in the lives of people and families?

    4. Facilitating Change- when therapy can by viewed as a joint or collaborative
        process. Knowing the goals and purposes for our behaviors, feelings, and 
        interactions tends to give us choices about their use.

Here is an example of a genogram:

(genogramanalytics.com, 2011)

and here is an example of what a four year olds genogram might look like:

(joysysler.com)

(cartoonstock.com)

 

 

 



 References

 

Corey, G. (2013). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy. (9 ed., pp. 433-460). Belmont, CA: BROOKS/COLE CENGAGE Learning.

 

Evan imber-black family therapy video clip [Web]. (2009). Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JjcIiCJaDo

 

 

(n.d.). Family therapy. [Print Drawing]. Retrieved from http://jodysysler.com/family-therapy

(n.d.). Family therapy. [Print Drawing]. Retrieved from http://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/f/family_therapy.asp

(2011). Genogram. (2011). [Print Graphic]. Retrieved from http://www.genogramanalytics.com/


Simpson shorts: S3e16 family therapy [Web]. (orginal air:1989 published on youtube, 2012). Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7axGxuv8mY

 

 



Postmodern Theory

(thedailyomnivore.net)
Founders: Insoo Kim Berg (1935-2007), Steve de Shazer (1940-2005), Michael White (1949-2008), David Epston (b.1944)

Social Constructionism- postmodern worldview; it values the client's reality without disputing whether it is accurate or rational (Corey, 2013).
Four key assumptions: Corey 2013 explains the differences between postmodernism and traditional psychological perspectives...

1. Social constructionists challenge conventional knowledge that has historically guided our understanding of the world, and they caution us to be suspicious of assumptions of how the world appears to be.
2. Social constructionists believe the language and concepts we use to generally understand the world are historically and culturally specific.
3. Social constructionists assert that knowledge is constructed through social processes.
4. Social constructionists negotiated understandings are considered to be practices that affect social life rather than being abstractions from it.

Solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT)- is a future-focused, goal-oriented therapeutic approach to brief therapy developed initially by Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg at the Brief Family Therapy Center in Milwaukee in the early 1980s (Corey, 2013).

Key Concepts: Dr. Shazer 1988, 1991 (as cited by Corey, 2013) suggests that is not necessary to know the cause of a problem to solve it and that there is no necessary relationship between the causes of problems and their solutions.

Therapeutic Goals: Corey 2013 states goals are unique to each client and are constructed by the client to create a richer future. Solution-focused therapist concentrate on small, realistic, achievable changes that can lead to additional positive outcomes (Corey, 2013). 

Techniques and Procedures described by Corey, 2013:

1. Pretherapy- simply scheduling an appointment often sets positive change in motion, and often you will ask during the initial therapy session, " What have you done since you called for the appointment that has made a difference in your problem?".
2. Exception Questions- to direct clients to times when the problem did not exist, or when it would be reasonable to have expected the problem to occur, but somehow it did not (de Shazer, 1985; Murphy, 2008).
3. The miracle question- asking clients "If a miracle happened and the problem you have was solved over-night, how would you know it was solved, and what would be different?". With the main theme being "What would be different?"
4. Scaling questions- change in humans is not easily observed such as, feelings, moods, or communication so scaling on say a 1-10 scale to assist clients in noticing they are not completely defeated by their problem.
5. Formula first session task- is a form of homework a therapist might give clients to complete between their first and second sessions.
6. Therapist feedback to clients- generally SFBT practitioners take a 5 to 10 minute break toward the end of the session to compose a summary message for the client.
7. Terminating- this is what the therapist and client are going for, first by setting goals to overcome said problem and then getting to the point where therapy is no longer necessary. 
8. Group counseling- believing people are competent, and that given a climate where they can experience their competency, they are able to solve their  own problem, enabling them to live a richer life. 

Narrative Therapy
Michael White and David Epston 1990, are best known for using narrative therapy.

Key Concepts as described by Corey, 2013:

• Focus of narrative therapy- involves adopting a shift in focus from most traditional theories. Therapist are encouraged to establish a collaborative approach with a special interest in listening respectfully to clients' stories; to search for times in clients' lives when they were resourceful to use questions as a way to engage clients and facilitate their explorations to avoid diagnosing and labeling clients or accepting a totalizing description based on a problem; to assist clients in mapping the influence a problem has had on their lives; and to assist clients in separating themselves from the dominant stories they have internalized so that space can be opened for the creation of alternative life stories (Freedom & Combs, 1996 as cited by Corey, 2013).
• The role of stories- our stories actually shape reality in that they construct and constitute what we see, feel, and do.
• Listening with an open mind- social constructionist theories emphasize listening to clients without judgement or blame, affirming and valuing them. 

Therapy goals: the general goal is to invite people to describe their experience in new and fresh language, this opens up new vistas of what is possible (Corey, 2013).

Therapeutic Techniques and Procedures described by Corey, 2013:

• Questions, questions, and more questions
• Externalization and Deconstruction- separating the person from the problem
• Search for unique outcomes- after externalizing questions follow questions that will produce a unique outcome.
• Alternative stories and reauthoring- goes hand in hand with deconstruction, narrative therapists listen for opening to new stories hoping for thoughts to different outcomes of the problem at hand.
• Documenting the evidence- one technique for consolidating the gains  a client makes is by writing letters.
• Group counseling- Winslade and Monk 2007 (as cited by Corey, 2013) claim that the narrative emphasis on creating an appreciative audience for new  developments in an individuals life lends itself to group counseling.

This following youtube video shows a great example of SBFT by Dr. Berg...

(Youtube, 2009)

The next youtube video explains how narrative therapy works with children, which is what I'm most interested in my upcoming career...

(Youtube, 2009)

Resources

 

Corey, G. (2013). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy. (9 ed., pp. 395-430). Belmont, CA: BROOKS/COLE CENGAGE Learning.

 

(n.d.). Postmodernism. [Print Graphic]. Retrieved from http://thedailyomnivore.net/2012/05/22/postmodernism/


Solution-focused thearpy [Web]. (2009). Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQBZlgmebwY



Stephen madigan narrative child therapy video clip [Web]. (2009). Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMst5HoOS6c



Feminist Therapy

(kristen-adayinthelifeofme.blogspot.com, 2013)

 

Founders: Jean Baker Miller (1928-2006), Carolyn Zerbe Enns, Oliva M. Espin, Laura S. Brown

 

 

Principles of Feminist Therapy-

•  The personal is political
• Commitment to social change
• Women's and girl's voices and ways of knowing are valued and their experiences and honored.
• The counseling relationship is egalitarian
• A focus on strengths and a reformulated definition of psychological distress
• All types of oppression are recognized       

 

 

Therapeutic Goals: According to Worell and Remer 2003 (as cited by Corey, 2013), feminist therapists help clients:

• Become aware of their own gender-role socialization
• Identify their internalized messages and replace them with more self-enhancing beliefs
• Understand how sexist and oppressive societal beliefs and practices influence them in negative ways
• Acquire skills to bring about change in the environment
• Restructure institutions to rid them of discriminatory practices
• Develop a wide range of behaviors that are freely chosen
• Evaluate the impact of social factors on their lives
• Develop a sense of personal and social power
• Recognize the power of relationships and connectedness
• Trust their own experience and their intuition

Feminist therapy's ultimate goal is to exterminate sexism, discrimination and oppression not only individually but as a whole society (Corey, 2013).  Corey 2013, also says "empowerment to create a world of equality that is reflected at individual, interpersonal, institutional, national, and global levels". Feminist share a common ground with Adlerian therapists in their emphasis on social equality and social interest, and with existential therapist who emphasize therapy as a shared journey, one that is life changing for both client and therapist, and with there basic trust in the client's ability to move forward in a positive and constructive manner (Bitter, Robertson, Healey, & Cole, 2009 as cited by Corey, 2013). 

Techniques and Strategies: The next important consciousness-raising techniques explained by Corey 2013 help woman to differentiate between what they have been taught is socially acceptable or desirable and what is actually healthy for them:

• Empowerment strategies- informed consent issues, discussing ways to get the most out of therapy clarifying expectations, identifying goals, and working toward a contract that will guide the therapeutic process.
• Self-Disclosure- to equalize the client-therapist relationship, to provide modeling, to normalize women's collective experiences, to empower clients, and to establish informed consent.
• Gender-Role Analysis- explores the impact of gender-role expectations on the client's psychological well-being and draws upon this information to make decisions about future gender-role behaviors.
• Gender-Role Intervention- aims at the context the client is placing on social issues and how they effect them. 
• Power Analysis-refers to the range of methods aimed at helping clients understand how unequal access to power and resources can influence personal realities.
• Bibliotherapy- non-fiction books, psychology and counseling textbooks, autobiographies, self-help books, educational videos, films, and even novels can all be used as bibliotherapy resources.
• Assertiveness Training- teaching and promoting assertive behavior women become aware of their interpersonal rights, transcend stereotypical gender roles, change negative beliefs, and implement changes in their daily lives.
• Reframing and relabeling- includes a shift from "blaming the victim" to a consideration of social factors in the environment that contribute to a client's problem.
• Social action- is an essential quality of feminist therapy, getting involved in activities such as volunteering at a rape crisis center, lobbying lawmakers, or providing community education about gender issues. 
• Group work- Consciousness-raising groups initially provided an avenue for woman to share their experiences of oppression and powerlessness. 

The following youtube video is a great example of the feminist approach...

(Youtube, 2012)

 

Resources

 

Corey, G. (2013). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy. (9 ed., pp. 363-388). Belmont, CA: BROOKS/COLE CENGAGE Learning.

 

 



(2013). We can do it. (2013). [Graphic image]. Retrieved from http://kristen-adayinthelifeofme.blogspot.com/

Feminist therapy [Web]. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H--szd0afmQ






Positive Psychology

(criticalscience, 2011)

 

Founders: Martin Seligman, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
The following video of Dr. Seligman gives a brief description of Positive Psychology...

 

(youtube, 2009)

 

Dr. Seligman is currently the director and founder of  the Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania, his following website called Authentic Happiness is very insightful, check it out...ttp://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/Default.aspx


(authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu, 2006)

 

Definition: Wikipedia 2013 defines Positive Psychology in Dr. Seligman's words, "We believe that a psychology of positive human functioning will arise, which achieves a scientific understanding and effective interventions to build thriving individuals, families, and communities." Positive psychologists seek "to find and nurture genius and talent" and "to make normal life more fulfilling", rather than merely treating mental illness (Wikipedia, 2013)

 

Goals: Also according to Wikipedia 2013, Positive psychologists are concerned with four topics: positive experiences, enduring psychological traits, positive relationships 

and positive institutions.

 

 Methods: Some methods include short happiness questionnaires, to long detailed questionnaires. "Happiness" encompasses many different emotional and mental phenomena. One method of assessment is Ed Diener's Satisfaction with Life Scale. This 5-question survey corresponds well with impressions from friends and family, and low incidences of depression (academicroom.com, 2013). Seligman and colleagues at the University of Pennsylvania developed positive psychotherapy as a way to treat depression by building positive emotions, character strengths, and sense of meaning, not just by reducing negative symptoms such as sadness. According to academicroom.com 2103, this therapy uses a combination of 12 exercises (a few are named below) that can be practiced individually or in groups:

• Using your signature strengths. Identify your top five strengths and try to use them in some new way daily.
• Three good things. Every evening, write down three good things that happened that day and think about why they happened.
• Gratitude visit. Write a letter to someone explaining why you feel grateful for something they’ve done or said. Read the letter to the recipient, either in person or over the phone.

Key Terms: Flow, mindfulness, optimism, the good life, helplessness


The next video of Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi explains the FLOW state of being.

 

 

(YouTube, 2010)

Resources

 

Wikipedia. (2013, March). Positive psychology. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Positive_psychology

Positive psychology. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.academicroom.com/topics/what-is-positive-psychology

Seligman, M. (Photographer). (2013). Positive psychology. [Print Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/Default
 
Psychotherapy.Net. (2009). Dr. seligman [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-hL52sdqmY&feature=player_embedded

flowinstitute. (2010). Mihaly csikszentmihalyi - flow [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjliwSJGDiU&feature=player_embedded

Critical Science. (2011). Peanuts. [Print Drawing]. Retrieved from http://criticalscience.com/positive-psychology-merits-shortcomings.html






Reality Therapy/Choice Theory

Let's start off with this youtube video on Reality Therapy explained by William Glasser it is brief but precise...  

 

 

(youtube/Glasser, 2010)

(infocus.com, 2012)

 

 

Founders: William Glasser (b.1925), Robert E. Wubbolding, EdD (b.1936)

Key Concepts: According to Glasser (as cited by Corey, 2013), we are all born with five genetically encoded needs that drive us all our lives: survival, love and belonging, power or inner control, freedom, and fun. Reality therapy is really choice theory, counselors help clients identify unmet needs and help clients to satisfy those needs. Choice theory teaches that we do not satisfy our needs directly but that we keep close track of anything we do that makes us feel good (Corey, 2013).

Characteristics of Reality Therapy: Corey 2013, shows us the important characteristics of what reality therapist focus on:

• Emphasize Choice and Responsibility
• Reject Transference (therapist must be themselves 100%)
• Keep the therapy in the present
• Avoid focusing on symptoms
• Challenge traditional views of mental illness (labeling people just gives them an excuse for their maladaptive behaviors)

Therapeutic Goals: The main goal of this therapy is to get people connected. Those that are having a hard time connecting to the people they love reality therapy can really help, along with fulfilling the other basic needs mentioned above. Challenging the clients to examine what they are doing in their lives is greatly important as well. Here are some questions according to Corey 2013 that therapist tend to ask clients:

• How would you most like to change your life?
• What do you want in your life that you are not getting?
• What would you have in your life if you were to change?
• What do you have to do now to make the changes happen?

Wubbolding and his "WDEP" System (as cited by Corey, 2013);
Wants- exploring wants, needs, and perceptions
Direction and Doing-"What are you doing"
Self-evaluation- asking clients if their current behavior is getting them what they want?
Planning and action- "What is your plan?", now go do it!

Key Terms: Choice theory, quality world, total behavior

I really enjoyed watching this next youtube video, Dr.Ken Larsen explains how he applies reality/choice theory in his ministries. Really makes me think of the direction I would like take my career. 

(youtube/Larsen, 2010)

Resources

 

Corey, G. (2013). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy. (9 ed., pp. 137-171). Belmont, CA: BROOKS/COLE CENGAGE Learning.

(2012). Choice theory/5 basic needs. (2012). [graphic image]. Retrieved from http://in-focus.com.sg/choice-theory/

 

 Dr. william glasser [Web]. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FckebmElMa8

Larsen, K. (2010). Dr. ken larsen [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3xa0OYR-c0





Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

(Graham)

 

 

 

 

Founders: Albert Ellis (1913-2007), Aaron Beck (b.1921), Judith S. Beck (b.1954), Donald Meichenbaum (b.1940)

Goals: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) combines both CBT and behavior therapy (BT) in a short term approach using both principles and methods (Corey, 2013).  CBT is the most empirical researched therapy to date. According to Beck & Weighaar 2011 (as cited by Corey, 2013), CBT and BT are different but do share some basic characteristics the most common attributes are; a collaborative relationship between client and therapist, the premise that psychological and distress is largely a function of disturbances in cognitive processes, a focus on changing cognition's to produce desired changes in affect and behavior, a present-centered, time focus, an active and directive stance by the therapist, and an educational treatment focusing on specific and structured target problems.

 

("Albert Ellis", 2010)

          
          Beginning with Albert Ellis's rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT)-  REBT was the first of the CBT approaches. The basic assumption of REBT is that people contribute to their own psychological problems, as well as to specific symptoms, by the rigid and extreme beliefs that hold about events and situations (Corey, 2013). The basic hypothesis is that our emotions come from our beliefs, which influence the way we react to certain life situations. Ellis's ABC model is shown below to help understand the clients feelings, thoughts, events, and behavior.  

(albertellis.info/text.htm, 2008)

 

Cognitive methods with emotive and behavioral techniques:

• Disputing irrational beliefs
• Doing cognitive homework
• Bibliotherapy
• Changing one's language
• Psycho educational methods
• Rational emotive imagery (REI)
• using humor
• Role playing
• Shame-attacking exercises

 

 ("Aaron Beck", 2013)

 Next important figure in CBT is Aaron Beck...

          Beck began his work with his research on depression; CBT is an active, directive, time-limited, present-centered, problem-oriented, collaborative, structured and empirical therapy (Corey, 2013). 

 

Basic Concepts: Concentrating on clients automatic thoughts (personal notions that are triggered by stimuli that lead to emotional responses), and cognitive distortions (faulty assumptions and misconceptions) in the "here and now" no matter the diagnosis. According to Corey 2013, the goal of this brief therapy includes providing symptom relief, assisting clients in resolving their most pressing problems, and teaching clients relapse prevention strategies.

 

Here is a list of some of the cognitive distortions that some people have that lead to faulty assumptions and misconceptions according to Beck and Weishaar 2011 (as cited by Corey, 2013):

• Arbitrary inferences (thinking of the worst scenario and outcome for most situations)
• Selective abstraction (consists of forming conclusions based on an isolated detail of an event)
• Overgeneralizing (holding extreme beliefs on the basis of a single incident and applying them inappropriately to dissimilar events or settings)
• Magnification and minimization (consists of perceiving a case or situation in a greater or lesser light than it truly deserves)
• Personalization (relating external events to themselves even when there is no basis for making the connection)
• Labeling and mislabeling (portraying one's identity on the basis of imperfections and mistakes made in the past and allowing them to define one's true identity)
• Dichotomous thinking (involves categorizing experiences in either or extremes)

Though REBT and CBT do have a lot in common the main difference between the two is that the client-therapist relationship is much different.  Where Ellis views the therapist largely as a teacher and does not think a warm personal relationship with clients is essential, Beck liked to combine empathy and sensitivity along with technical competence (Corey, 2013). 

("Donald Mechenbaum", 2002)

Another pioneer in CBT is Donald Mechenbaum's cognitive behavioral modification, which focuses on changing the client's self-verbalization's, combining elements from BT and CBT.

Mechenbaum's 1977, proposes that "behavior change occurs through a sequence of mediating processes involving the interaction of inner speech, cognitive structures and behaviors and their resultant outcomes" (as cited by Corey, 2013).

According to Mechenbaum 1977 (as cited by Corey, 2013), there is a three phase process of change:

Phase 1- Self Observation (teaching clients to become aware and observable to their own behavior)

Phase 2- Starting a new internal dialogue (changing the maladaptive cognition's that cause maladaptive behaviors)

Phase 3- Learning new skills (new coping skills will help clients modify the downward spiral  of thinking, feeling, and behaving and help them regain a more positive outlook)  

 

Stress Inoculation Training: Mechenbaum, 1997 (as cited by Corey, 2013) designed this training to help clients deal with stressful situations with his constructivist narrative perspective.  This perspective focuses on the stories people tell about themselves and others regarding significant events in their lives.  Mechenbaum believed in facing fears head on, first by dealing with the stress plus the thought process of whatever is causing the anxiety. The following procedures designed by Mechenbaum (as cited by Corey, 2013) below were designed to teach these coping skills;

• Expose clients to anxiety-provoking situations by means of role playing and imagery
• Require clients to evaluate their anxiety level
• Teach clients to become aware of the anxiety-provoking cognition's they experience in stressful situations
• Help clients examine these thoughts by reevaluating their self-statements
• Have clients note the level of anxiety following the reevaluation

 


Below I have included a youtube video with Judith Beck (Aaron Beck's daughter) explaining CBT in detail, take a look it's very insightful.

 (youtube, 2008)
 

 

 Resources

 

 Corey, G. (2013). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy. (9 ed., pp. 137-171). Belmont, CA: BROOKS/COLE CENGAGE Learning.

Graham, A. (n.d.). What cbt looks like. [Print Graphic]. Retrieved from http://www.annegraham.ca/cognitive-behavioral-therapy.html  

(2010). Albert ellis. (2010). [Print Graphic]. Retrieved from http://mulattodiaries.wordpress.com/page/57/

 (2013). Aaron beck. (2013). [Print Photo]. Retrieved from http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2009/09/02/a-profile-of-aaron-beck/

 

2002). Donald meichenbaum. (2002). [Print Photo]. Retrieved from https://www.psychotherapy.net/interview/donald-meichenbaum

 

Judith beck [Web]. (2008). Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45U1F7cDH5k



Behavior Therapy

 

 

 ("Behavioral therapy & brain ," 2013)

 Founders: B.F. Skinner (1904-1990), Albert Bandura (b.1925), Arnol A. Lazarus (b.1932)

(shawneewiggins.blogspot.com) 

 

 

 Key Concepts: The seven key characteristics of behavior therapy are described by Corey (2009) below:

1. Behavior therapy is based on the principles and procedures of the scientific method. Experimentally derived principles of learning are systematically applied to help people change their maladaptive behaviors.
2. Behavior is not limited to overt actions a person engages in that we can observe; behavior also includes internal processes such as cognition, images, beliefs, and emotions. The key characteristic of a behavior is that it is something that can be operationally defined.
3. Behavior therapy deals with the client's current problems and the factors influencing them, as opposed to an analysis of possible historical determinants. Behavior therapy recognizes the importance of the individual, the individual's environment, and the interaction between the person and the environment in facilitating change.
4. Clients involved in behavior therapy are expected to assume an active role by engaging in specific actions to deal with their problems. Rather than simply talking about their condition, clients are required to do something to bring about change.
5. This approach assumes that change can take place without insight into underlying dynamics and without understanding the origins of a psychological problem. Behavior therapists operate on the premise that changes in behavior can occur prior to or simultaneously with understanding of oneself, and that behavioral changes may well lead to an increased level of self-understanding. 
6. Assessment is on ongoing process of observation and self-monitoring that focusus on the current determinants of behavior, including identifying the problem and evaluating the change; assessment informs the treatment process.  Therapists also assess their clients' cultures as part of their social environments, including social support networks relating to target behaviors.
7. Behavioral treatment interventions are individually tailored to specific problems experienced by the client. Several therapy techniques may be used to treat an individual clinet's problems. An important question that serves as a guide for this choice is, "What treatment, by whom, is the most effective for this individual with that specifec problem and under which set of circumstances?".

  

Therapeutic Goals: According to Corey (2009), the general goals of behvior therapy are to increase personal choice and to create new conditions for learning. Assessment and treatment seem to go hand in hand, although a very formal assessment takes place at first to determene current behaviors that need to be changed. Assessment is measured continually throughout to see what goals are being met.  Behavior therapists conduct a thorough functional assessment to identify the maintaining conditons by systematically gathering information about situational antecedents (A), the dimensions of the problem behavior (B), and the conquences (C), of the problem. This is known as the ABC model, and the goal of a functional assessment of a clint's behavior is to understand the ABC sequence. This model of behavior suggests that behavior (B) is influenced by some particular events that precede it, call antecedents (A), and by certain events that follow it , called consequences (C) (Corey, 2009).

Corey (2009) includes some of the following techniques used:

• Progressive muscle relaxation- method of teaching people to cope with the stresses produced by daily life, aimed at muscle and mental relaxation. For more info see http://www.arthritistoday.org/treatments/alternative-therapies/mind-and-body/progressive-muscle-relaxation.php.
• Systematic Desensitization- based on the principles of classic conditioning, clients imagine successively more anxiety-arousing situations at the same time that they engage in a behavior that competes with anxiety. Gradually they should become less sensitive (desensitized) to the anxiety-arousing situation. For more information see http://www.simplypsychology.org/Systematic-Desensitisation.html.
• In Vivo Exposure- involves client exposure to the actual anxiety-evoking events rather than simply imagining these situations. For further informations see http://www.minddisorders.com/Del-Fi/Exposure-treatment.html.
• In Vivo flooding- consists of intense and prolonged exposure to the actual anxiety-producing stimuli. Remaining exposed to feared stimuli for a prolonged period without engaging in any anxiety-reducing behaviors allows the anxiety to decrease on its own. For further informations see http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15993561.
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing- is a form of exposure therapy that entails assessment and preparation, imaginal flooding, and congnitive restructuring in the treatment of individuals with traumatic memories. The treatment involves the use of rapid, rhythmic eye movements and other bilateral stimulation to treat clients who have experienced traumatic stress. For further information see http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/emdr-what-is-it.
• Social Skills training- is a broad category that deals with an individual's ability to interact effectively with others in various social situations; it is used to help clients develop and achieve skills in interpersonal competence. For further information see http://socialanxietydisorder.about.com/od/therapyforsad/a/Social-Skills-Training-And-Social-Anxiety-Disorder.htm.
• Assertion training- one goal is to increase people's behavioral repertoire so that they can make the choice of whether to behave assertively in certain situations. For further information see http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=9778.
• Self-Management- includes self-monitoring, self-reward, self-contracting, and stimulus control. For more informations see http://www.education.com/reference/article/teaching-social-skills-self-management/.
• Multimodal therapy:Clinical Behavior Therapy- is a comprehensive, systematic, holistic approach to behavior therapy developed by Arnold Lazarus. For further information see http://www.zurinstitute.com/multimodaltherapy.html.

Key Terms: Classical conditioning, Operant conditioning, social learning approach, Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), functional assessment (or behavioral analysis), ABC model, Antecedent events, Consequences, behavioral assessment interview, Positive reinforcement, Negative reinforcement, extinction, punishment, positive punishment, negative punishment, Progressive muscle relaxation, Systematic Desensitization, Exposure therapy, In vivo flooding, Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, Social skills training, assertion training, self-management, mulitmodal therapy, Acceptance, mindfullness.




The following video is from one of my favorite shows, it's a great example of Behavior Therapy.

 
(youtube,2009)


 

 

 

Resources

 

 

Corey, G. (2013). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy. (9 ed., pp. 137-171). Belmont, CA: BROOKS/COLE CENGAGE Learning.

 

 

(2013). Behavioral therapy & brain . (2013). [Print Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.disabilitynews.org/2009/08/02/behavioral-therapy-for-those-with-disabilities/



 

 

(n.d.). B.f. skinner. [Print Photo]. Retrieved from http://shawneewiggins.blogspot.com/

 

 

The big bang theory - sheldon trains penny [Web]. (2009). Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qy_mIEnnlF4