What Is Behavioral Therapy?
What Is Behavioral Therapy?
Behavioral therapy is a specialized form of care that seeks to uncover the root cause of bad behavior.¹ Once the cause has been found, sessions revolve around coping mechanisms. The goal of behavioral therapy is to change the way a person thinks and behaves and, above all else, to make them aware of their negative triggers.1
Cognitive-behavioral therapy statistics show anyone with behavioral issues directly related to mental illness can benefit from the therapy.1 Mental illness can change every part of the body. For example, severe anxiety is tied to heart issues. As such, treating mental illness improves both outlook and quality of life. Here are some of the diseases behavioral therapy treats.
Discussing Behavioral Therapy
Depression
Depression is characterized by persistent feelings of apathy, sadness, and tiredness. People with medical depression experience lower levels of joy and have a hard time motivating themselves to accomplish everyday tasks like getting out of bed, bathing, eating, etc. Depression can lead to poor relationships, limited career options, and shortened life expectancy. Behavioral therapy helps treat depression by making a person aware of their negative thought spirals to have a chance to address them.1
Anxiety
Anxiety causes paranoia, nervousness, and a sense of impending doom. Those who suffer from anxiety will have a hard time asserting themselves, leaving the house, and having issues with self-image. Behavioral therapy counteracts anxiety symptoms by making people aware of their anxiety and teaching them methods to deal with it on the fly. For example, a standard method is to count down and focus on breathing to keep the person in the present instead of worrying obsessively about the future.1
Panic Disorders
Panic disorders are known to cause persistent fear and paranoia. A person with panic disorder will experience panic attacks in which breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure will spike to unhealthy levels.
Anger Issues
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder causes frequent mood changes, shortened attention span, and disrupts functioning in day-to-day life. Bipolar disorder is often a cause of genetics, trauma, or chronic drug use. Behavioral therapy helps make people aware of their mood shifts while teaching them healthier ways of handling them.1

Origins of Behavioral Therapy
Traces of behavioral therapy can be found as far back as WW1, where doctors sought new ways to treat PTSD, known as shell shock at the time.2 But behavioral therapy as a school of thought didn’t emerge until the 1950s. Psychologist B.F. Skinner first studied the effects of positive reinforcement on pigeons in a lengthy experiment that, over time, changed how the pigeons behaved — this process is called “shaping.” Before long, Skinner used his methods to help shape people with mental health conditions in Massachusetts. His technique was proven effective, and he began to teach it to his peers.3
Before the behavioral therapy revolution, behavioral therapy psychology lacked proven data showing a lasting change in an individual.3 B.F. Skinner introduced a precise method to inspire and chart change with behavioral therapy. Although Skinner is considered the most recognizable face of B.T., other psychologists did similar experiments. Joseph Wolpe studied the effects of electroshock therapy, and psychologist Robert P. Liberman began working on psychoeducation for the family unit.3

Types of Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
A Further Look at CBT
Cognitive-Behavioral Play Therapy
Behavioral health therapist Dr. Virginia Axline first pioneered play therapy. She was one of the leading forces to balance excessive play and actual therapy. The rules of play therapy are as follows.5
- Foster a healthy relationship with the child.
- Clearly define boundaries and reaffirm them each session.
- Ensure the physical and emotional safety of the child.
- Establish a strong line between fantasy and reality.
- cultivate an environment where they can express negative feelings and thoughts.
- Give the child some level of responsibility and control over the session.
- Provide an overall positive experience.
- Protect the sanctity of the play area.
- Maintain a professional distance.
When choosing the toy to play with, a psychologist or behavioral health therapist will establish specific rules such as not playing with one toy until another is put away. Special notice will also be given to which toys a child chooses to interact with. Of the toy choices, each item is split into three categories: real-life, aggression, and expression. An example of each would be a toy car, plastic gun, or coloring book, respectively.5
The toy the child chooses is indicative of their mental state. For example, selecting an aggression toy is related to unresolved anger. Choosing a real-life toy is linked to timidness, and selecting an expression toy correlates with creativity.
- System desensitization: The therapist’s role in cognitive therapy for system desensitization is to gradually expose a person to their triggers. For example, if a certain sound triggers a person, they will listen to that sound repeatedly throughout therapy until the effect is diminished. Psychiatrist Joseph Wolpe invented the method. 6
- Aversion therapy: Aversion therapy is a form of behavioral counseling theory that’s has been around since the 1930s in various forms.7 It works by associating a negative feeling or idea with a bad habit. For example, a smoker in aversion therapy may be played an unpleasant sound while smoking. Over time, the discomfort caused by the sound will outweigh the nicotine craving.

Techniques of Behavioral Therapy
Classical Conditioning
Aversion Therapy
- Shock therapy: Weak electric shocks used to cause discomfort.
- Sound therapy: A discomfort-inducing sound is played at sight or mention of the unwanted habit. Sound therapy will almost always be a short sound or phrase.
- Bitter/unpleasant-tasting food: An unpleasant food is given during bad behavior.
- Temperature changes: Gradual temperature changes can be used to root out bad habits. A form of this occurs when people quit smoking during winter months.
- Unpleasant visual therapy: Uncomfortable images are shown when discussing the bad habit.
Flooding
Healthy coping mechanisms are another essential part of managing triggers. Coping mechanisms happen unconsciously and manifest as binge eating, shopping sprees, etc., which can make a person feel poorly about themselves. Healthy coping mechanisms cause no harm to the individual or those around them, are easily accessible, and typically benefit the person somehow. Examples of healthy coping mechanisms include journaling, breathing exercises, hobbies, art, etc.
Operant Conditioning
Contingency Management
Contingency management works similarly to operant conditioning in that it rewards and punishes specific behavior. However, to obtain the reward, individuals must meet a long-term goal of behavioral therapy, i.e., maintaining sobriety for a certain amount of time or completing a week of workouts, etc. An effective contingency management plan has controls in place to make success easier, like not watching T.V. or playing video games when there’s still work to be done. Contingency management excels at instilling positive core habits in both children and adults.9
Extinction
Behavior Modeling
Token Economies
Token economies are most prevalent in rehab facilities. They work by providing a person with a token or resource used to obtain goods in return for maintaining positive habits. Special care must be given to not reward a person with something they can exchange for their bad habit. For example, actual money is rarely, if ever, used as a person can exchange that for cigarettes, alcohol, etc.11

Signs Your Child May Need Behavioral Therapy
Learn About Behavioral Therapy for Children
Headbanging
Repeated Biting, Hitting, or Kicking
Physical outbursts are symptoms most associated with a child that’s undergone trauma. But it can manifest for a variety of reasons. Only a trained behavioral health therapist will be able to uncover the cause. Behavioral therapy interventions are possible if their behavior proves to be too much.
Constant Fighting
Keep in mind that in behavioral counseling theory, constant fighting differs from being bullied. Given no means of escape, anyone is subject to fighting when attacked. If your child is in fights because of being bullied, getting them into therapy is paramount.
Childhood bullying can lead to aggression, insecurity, depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders. As a parent or guardian, it’s your responsibility to listen and uncover the root cause of the altercation.
Frequent Nightmares
Frequent nightmares are the result of unresolved trauma. Nightmares can result in poor sleep, making it harder for a child to concentrate. This can also cause behavioral issues due to the irritability associated with poor sleep. In behavioral therapy techniques for children, the focus is on uncovering and addressing the trauma that causes the nightmare. Behavioral therapy creates a safe space for a child to express their concerns without fear of punishment.
Behavioral therapy techniques have a long and proven history as effective for various illnesses. Like any form of recovery, a person must be willing to commit to the process. The goal of behavioral therapy is change, and that change is possible with commitment and the right team. If you have questions about behavioral therapy options, then reach out to Alta Center for more information.
Resources
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470241/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC546369/
- https://braintour.harvard.edu/archives/portfolio-items/skinner-and-behaviorism
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470241/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2989834/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3215612/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1812608/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4393088/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6760431/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5101557/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2648534/
Questions About Treatment?
Our knowledgeable team is ready to discuss your situation and options. Your call is confidential with no obligation required.
What is an Intervention?
In a situation involving substance use disorder, planning an intervention may be the best, and safest, option to help someone who is living with an addiction. So, what does intervention mean? An intervention is a strategically planned process of confronting the person who is living with addiction about the consequences of their actions while simultaneously encouraging them to accept help and treatment for their addiction.1
The key feature of an intercession is that while it can be an immensely helpful option in convincing a person that they should seek treatment, it should not be done solely by friends and family members. Without the aid of a specialist, or someone who is equally trained in the process of interventions, an intervention may do more harm than good.
An intervention specialist is someone that has been professionally trained in helping people break free from their addictions. They can help a person without judgment, emotions, or blame to understand how their actions are negatively impacting themselves and those that they care about.
When performed properly, without judgment or pressure, and with the aid of a qualified intercession specialist, 80-90% of substance use interventions are successful in convincing the patient to seek help.
Early Intervention
Treatment is more effective the earlier that it begins for an alcohol or drug abuse disorder. As with any other health condition, early intervention and treatment can prevent more significant problems further on in life.
Unfortunately, in many cases, an alcohol addiction intervention or a drug abuse intercession does not take place until most other options have been exhausted. It can be difficult for those struggling with a substance use disorder to realize or admit that they need help.
It often takes a life-altering event, such as a divorce, loss of employment, or a housing crisis for a person to be willing to seek treatment. Because early
alcohol and drug intercession can be so beneficial, first responders must be able to recognize the symptoms of substance abuse.3
What is a Nursing Intervention?
Nursing interventions are often the first time a patient will experience care for their disorder. It takes place when someone enters a care facility such as a clinic or hospital for a condition that may or may not be caused or exacerbated by their substance use disorder.
After initial evaluation and stabilization, a nurse will take action to help their patient by suggesting healthy physical or emotional coping mechanisms for a patient that wants to quit using the substance that they are addicted to. The nurse will also be able to offer education and information to the patient about other treatment facilities or care providers that can help them on their road to recovery.
Alcohol Intervention

A Further Look at Interventions
Nearly 50% of adults in America regularly drink alcohol, and it is believed that as many as 25% of those Americans have an alcohol addiction, most commonly in the form of binge drinking. In many situations, once a person with an alcohol use disorder realizes the way that alcohol is negatively impacting their life, they can reduce the amount that they drink, or even quit entirely, without outside assistance.
However, some people that have an alcohol use disorder are unable to see how their addiction is negatively affecting them. In this situation, an alcohol use intercession can be extremely beneficial. Some of the benefits of interventions include:
- Showing the person with the addiction the consequences of their actions to this point as well as the potential consequences that may happen if they do not seek treatment.
- Showing them the available treatment options, and helping them understand that people are willing to help them with their addiction.
- Showing them how their alcohol addiction has impacted their friends and family members.
- Showing them that things are not hopeless, that they can recover, and that they can take charge of their life once more.
Drug Intervention

A Further Look at Interventions
Over nineteen million adults struggle with a drug abuse disorder and of those, nearly 74% also struggle with a co-existing alcohol abuse disorder. Drug abuse and addiction can be a much harder disorder to recover from than alcohol addiction, particularly due to the high rate of co-use that most people with a substance use disorder experience.
In many cases, suddenly stopping the use of an illicit substance can be just as harmful, if not more so than using the substance itself. The side effects and withdrawal symptoms that a person may experience when they decide to stop using a substance can be severe and at times life-threatening.
Luckily, substance use is a highly treatable disorder and several medications can help a person wean off of illicit substances in a safe, sustained, and monitored manner. A drug abuse intervention can help someone realize that they have options and that they can recover safely and healthily.
Resources
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/in-depth/intervention/art-20047451
- https://www.associationofinterventionspecialists.org/intervention-what-is-the-success-rate/
- https://addiction.surgeongeneral.gov/executive-summary/report/early-intervention-treatment-and-management-substance-use-disorders
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559081/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5844156/
- https://www.associationofinterventionspecialists.org/what-is-arise-intervention/
Questions About Treatment?
Our knowledgeable team is ready to discuss your situation and options. Your call is confidential with no obligation required.