It’s a form of psychotherapy that mainly aims on behavior that deviates from normal or maladaptive ones , and substituting with appropriate behavior which are more adaptive ones. This is done through the principle of learning theory, mainly classical conditioning and operant conditioning.
Primary methods used in Behavior therapy
Reinforcements ( both positive and negative), positive punishment always reward the child when the child has exhibited the desired behavior. In negative reinforcement, to encourage and stimulate desired behavior an unpleasant stimulus is removed.
Modeling helps to imitate the desired behavior that has been shown or mimicked.
Systematic desensitization is the exposure to the feared stimulus which is a gradual process by incorporating relaxation techniques.
Process of behaviour therapy
The behavior therapy consist of various steps:
Initial Assessment: it helps to wrap up the relevant information on the person’s behavior, emotion and feelings through standardized questionnaires and interviews. The experts also note the behavior pattern and inappropriate social behaviours through observations.
Goal setting: A smart goal is prepared.( Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time bound)
Treatment plan: psychologists always choose appropriate treatment plan based on the interference of assessments and observations.
Execution of techniques:
Activating the techniques found to be most important. The psychologist choose the right techniques to carry out the session with goal plans.
Reviewing and examining the progress: feedback and estimating the progress is important to check whether the techniques really help the person to change and make a difference in the pattern of maladaptive behaviors.
Recovery maintenance and habit reinforcement: through reinforcement , the appropriate behaviour and new healthy behavioral pattern can be enhanced. Avoiding or distracting the triggers and practising most alternative behaviour skills sustains the progress and slip up prevention too.
Behaviour Therapy: Why It Is Needed? How Does It Impact The Child?
Behaviour therapy helps the child to make necessary changes in their challenging behaviours.The undesirable behaviour is replaced by desired one through problem focused approach. Behavior therapy always wraps the skills and ways to manage the child’s behavioral, emotional, relationship and interactions.
We can define behavior as any action or individual activity through observations. An individual’s behaviour is a mixture of both environment and genetic factors.we focus on Behavioral therapy for the desirable behavior by eliminating undesired ones through different tactiles like reinforcement, modeling, role playing etc.
When a behavior is harmful in exhibiting or any pattern of actions that is harmful, through behavior therapy it can be taken into account. Behavior therapy is something to be considered when the behavior of an individual affects their daily living or relationships.
To the children, a positive impact can be visualized in their developmental, emotional and behavioral patterns that challenges them. It can take over or dominate most undesirable behaviour through techniques like token economy, positive reinforcements. They are able to reduce their aggression and impulsive behavior. This strengthens their emotional and social skills. It’s much expanded to the child with tantrum issues, Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, thus they master skills like turn taking , increased eye contact, sharing behaviors. Additionally through emotional regulation it helps to decrease their outburst in which they are made capable to express appropriate emotions in appropriate manner.