M.A. Counseling Psychology: Behavior Therapy Track
Behavior therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapies create change in clients by focusing on the behaviors which bring distress. The therapist and client work together to modify the person’s environment, behaviors, or cognitive frames to move the client into healthier ways of living. The treatments are targeted, goal directed, and effective. They emphasize the active involvement of the client in creating change based on learning and cognitive principles developed through years of research.
Behavioral and cognitive-behavioral therapies begin with developing a case conceptualization of the client. This involves the collection of data about the client’s learning and modeling, life events, genetics and temperament, physiological state, influences of drugs and other substances, and sociocultural factors. This conceptualization is used as a foundation for targeting problematic behaviors, thoughts, emotions, or environmental triggers and reinforcers for change. Working together the therapist and client determine realistic goals and a plan for accomplishing the goals. The therapist relies on the scientific research and knowledge of the individual client in choosing components of the therapy which will provide the means of change. Progress is monitored and the plan is adjusted to account for unexpected developments or better than expected progress. Graduates of the program report that the most gratifying aspect of their work is seeing clients actually change and improve the quality of their lives in a relatively short time. Many of these clients have struggled with their psychological problems for many years and had little expectation of success when they began therapy.
Behavioral and cognitive-behavioral therapists may work directly with children and, just as often, work with the parents, caregivers, and other family members to foster desired changes. These methods are used with the full range of mental disorders and distress found in children and adolescents, including pervasive developmental disorders, anxiety and depression, relationship problems, externalizing behaviors such as delinquency, and the consequences of abuse and trauma.
Adults and older adolescents may be treated individually or in groups. Behavioral and cognitive-behavioral techniques have been established for a wide range of psychological disorders and problems associated with everyday life. Effective treatments may take a few sessions or last for several months, depending on the nature of the presenting problems and characteristics of the client or clients. Clients take an active role in their treatment and typically have “homework” assignments designed to reinforce new behaviors, skills, or cognitive frames introduced in the therapeutic session.