Behavioral Therapy
June 9th 2007 21:15
Behavioral Therapy
Behavioral therapies use learning principles (examples given below) to eliminate or reduce unwanted reactions to external situations, one’s one thoughts and feelings, and bodily sensations or functions. Rather than dealing with unconscious conflicts, this therapeutic approach deals with events of which people are aware or can readily become aware. The therapist teaches the client to replace undesirable responses (groundless fears, for example) in their day-to-day living. Learning-based techniques include the following:
Exposure Therapy
Instead of trying to avoid or escape upsetting experiences — which can bring short-term relief, but in the longer run usually prolong or worsen one’s vulnerability — clients voluntarily expose themselves to the experiences while in a relaxed state. Exposures may be to the actual situation (in vivo exposure) or to an imagined version of it (in vitro exposure). As a result they form associations between the formerly upsetting experiences and feeling relatively untroubled, which leads to clearer thinking and better decisions. With practice, the new associations progressively take over from the old ones that were causing difficulty.
Contingency Management
Here, desirable actions are selectively reinforced (rewarded), and undesirable actions are ignored whenever possible. (At times, undesirable actions may be penalized instead of ignored, but this tactic is regarded as a last resort, since it produces distress and tends to yield unpredictable results.)
Behavioral activation
This is a method commonly used in treating depression. It involves developing a list of activities the client is likely to enjoy, or needs to engage in as part of a normal and satisfying life. Then, beginning with the easiest (or sometimes, the most indispensable) activities on the list, the client agrees to carry them out in an organized manner. This reinstates contact with the naturally-occurring rewards of the chosen activities, which in turn helps overcome the depressed mood.
Modeling
The client observes another person perform a desired behavior (for instance, doing something he has been afraid to do). Then, having seen how someone else’s performance did not meet with negative repercussions, with the therapist’s encouragement and guidance the client learns to successfully copy the performance.
Behavioral therapies use learning principles (examples given below) to eliminate or reduce unwanted reactions to external situations, one’s one thoughts and feelings, and bodily sensations or functions. Rather than dealing with unconscious conflicts, this therapeutic approach deals with events of which people are aware or can readily become aware. The therapist teaches the client to replace undesirable responses (groundless fears, for example) in their day-to-day living. Learning-based techniques include the following:
Exposure Therapy
Instead of trying to avoid or escape upsetting experiences — which can bring short-term relief, but in the longer run usually prolong or worsen one’s vulnerability — clients voluntarily expose themselves to the experiences while in a relaxed state. Exposures may be to the actual situation (in vivo exposure) or to an imagined version of it (in vitro exposure). As a result they form associations between the formerly upsetting experiences and feeling relatively untroubled, which leads to clearer thinking and better decisions. With practice, the new associations progressively take over from the old ones that were causing difficulty.
Contingency Management
Here, desirable actions are selectively reinforced (rewarded), and undesirable actions are ignored whenever possible. (At times, undesirable actions may be penalized instead of ignored, but this tactic is regarded as a last resort, since it produces distress and tends to yield unpredictable results.)
Behavioral activation
This is a method commonly used in treating depression. It involves developing a list of activities the client is likely to enjoy, or needs to engage in as part of a normal and satisfying life. Then, beginning with the easiest (or sometimes, the most indispensable) activities on the list, the client agrees to carry them out in an organized manner. This reinstates contact with the naturally-occurring rewards of the chosen activities, which in turn helps overcome the depressed mood.
Modeling
The client observes another person perform a desired behavior (for instance, doing something he has been afraid to do). Then, having seen how someone else’s performance did not meet with negative repercussions, with the therapist’s encouragement and guidance the client learns to successfully copy the performance.
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Comment by Ash
Flashes of memories
All of this is very interesting... brings back memories of trying to remember it all for my Psychology exams
ash
Comment by Miswanderlust
Killer Beats
Ramble On
Hipnotherapy
It brings back memories of hallucinations due to staying up way too long studying for final exams.....
Mis
(I am so glad you found me over here!)
Comment by Ash
Flashes of memories
ah we found these caffeine tablets that you could buy over the counter and used to take a seriously stupid amount of them to stay awake for all night study sessions - the things you do hey!
I`m glad I found your sight too - I love this Psychology stuff. People always fascinate me.
ash
Comment by Miswanderlust
Killer Beats
Ramble On
Hipnotherapy
Caffeine of any kind makes me seriously jittery or really sleepy (and usually at the wrong time!)
Mis
Comment by Ash
Flashes of memories
After a few of these (we used to take 4 or 5 at a time and each one was worth a few cups of coffee worth of caffeine) I used to shake so much that I could hardly write never mind concentrate...
I lasted for 2 or 3 sessions of this and then broke away from the mould because I thought I was going to have a heart attack!
it`s a wonder how I ever managed to pass exams.....
ash
Comment by charliesgirl_992000
Histeries, Mysteries and what not
Lifes little slices
Mystical Creativity
Tammy
Comment by Miswanderlust
Killer Beats
Ramble On
Hipnotherapy
Thanks for hanging out!
Mis