Behavioral therapy refers to a wide array of techniques aimed at altering maladaptive behaviors. Its primary objective is to promote desirable behaviors while eliminating those that are unwanted.
In contrast to therapies grounded in insight, such as psychoanalytic and humanistic approaches, behavioral therapy is fundamentally action-oriented. This characteristic allows behavioral therapy to maintain a high level of focus. The behavior itself is identified as the issue, and the aim is to instruct individuals in adopting new behaviors to reduce or eradicate the problem.
Types of Behavioral Therapy
There exists a variety of behavioral therapy types. The selection of a specific therapy may depend on several factors, including the condition being addressed and the intensity of the individual’s symptoms. Applied behavior analysis employs operant conditioning to shape and alter problematic behaviors.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) incorporates behavioral techniques but distinguishes itself by integrating a cognitive component that emphasizes the problematic thoughts underlying behaviors. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychological treatment that has proven effective for various issues, such as depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, marital difficulties, eating disorders, and serious mental illnesses.
A multitude of research studies indicate that CBT results in considerable enhancements in functioning and overall quality of life.
In numerous studies, CBT has been shown to be as effective as, or even more effective than, alternative forms of psychological therapy or psychiatric medications.
- Cognitive behavioral play therapy employs play to evaluate, prevent, or address psychosocial issues. The therapist may utilize play to assist a child in learning to think and behave in new ways.
- Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) represents a variant of CBT that combines both behavioral and cognitive strategies to aid individuals in managing their emotions, coping with distress, and enhancing interpersonal relationships.
- Exposure therapy applies behavioral techniques to assist individuals in overcoming their fears related to specific situations or objects. This method involves exposing individuals to the source of their fears while practicing relaxation techniques, making it effective for treating specific phobias and various anxiety disorders.
- Social learning theory focuses on the process by which individuals learn through observation. Observing others receiving rewards for their behaviors.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a proactive method of psychotherapy that originates from conventional behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. Clients are taught to cease avoiding, denying, and battling their internal emotions, and instead, to acknowledge that these profound feelings are valid reactions to specific circumstances that should not hinder their progress in life. With this insight, clients start to embrace their challenges and dedicate themselves to implementing essential changes in their behavior, irrespective of their current life situations and emotional states.
References:
Nakao, M., Shirotsuki, K., & Sugaya, N. (2021). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for management of mental health and stress-related disorders: Recent advances in techniques and technologies. BioPsychoSocial Medicine, 15(1), 16. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13030-021-00219-w
Yarwood, B., Angelakis, I., & Taylor, R. (2025). Importance of CBT components in the treatment of depression: A comparative Delphi study of therapists and experts by experience. The Cognitive Behavior Therapist, 18, e20. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1754470X25000091
The American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). American Psychiatric Publishing.
