Behavior Therapy in the Home: Amelioration of Problem Parent-

Child Relations with the Parent in a Therapeutic Role

What is Behavior Therapy?

Behavior therapy is an umbrella term for types of therapy that treat mental health

disorders. It is based on the idea that all behaviors are learned and that behaviors

can be changed. This form of therapy looks to identify and help change potentially

self-destructive or unhealthy behaviors. Behavior therapy can benefit people with a

wide range of disorders such as depression, anxiety, panic disorders, intermittent

explosive disorder, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar

disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, phobias, obsessive compulsive

disorder, substance use disorders, among others.

Behavior therapy is a term that describes a broad range of techniques used to

change maladaptive behaviors. The goal is to reinforce desirable behaviors and

eliminate unwanted ones. Unlike the types of therapy that are rooted in insight

(such as psychoanalytic therapy and humanistic therapies), behavior therapy is

action-based. Because of this, behavior therapy tends to be highly focused. The

behavior itself is the problem and the goal is to teach people new behaviors to

minimize or eliminate the issue. Behavior therapy suggests that since old learning

led to the development of a problem, then new learning can fix it.

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Types of Behavior Therapy

There are a number of different types of behavior therapy. The type of therapy

used can depend on a variety of factors, including the condition being treated and

the severity of the person’s symptoms.

i. Applied behavior analysis uses operant conditioning to shape and modify

problematic behaviors.

ii. Cognitive behavior therapy relies on behavior techniques, but the difference

is that cognitive behavior therapy adds a cognitive element, focusing on the

problematic thoughts behind behaviors.

iii. Cognitive behavior play therapy utilizes play to assess, prevent, or treat

psychosocial challenges. The therapist may use play to help a child learn

how to think and behave differently.

iv. Dialectical behavior therapy is a form of cognitive behavior therapy that

utilizes both behavior and cognitive techniques to help people learn to

manage their emotions, cope with distress, and improve interpersonal

relationships.

v. Exposure therapy utilizes behavior techniques to help people overcome their

fears of situations or objects. This approach incorporates techniques that

expose people to the source of their fears while practicing relaxation

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 strategies. It is useful for treating specific phobias and other forms of

anxiety.

vi. Rational emotive behavior therapy focuses on identifying negative or

destructive thoughts and feelings. People then actively challenge those

thoughts and replace them with more rational, realistic ones.

vii. Social learning theory centers on how people learn through observation.

Observing others being rewarded or punished for their actions can lead to

learning and behavior change.

What are Behavior Therapy Techniques?

In order to understand how behavioral therapy works, it is important to know more

about the basic principles that contribute to behavioral therapy. The techniques

used in this type of treatment are based on the theories of classical conditioning

and operant conditioning.

Classical Conditioning

Classical conditioning involves forming associations between stimuli. Previously

neutral stimuli are paired with a stimulus that naturally and automatically evokes a

response. After repeated pairings, an association is formed and the previously

neutral stimulus will come to evoke the response on its own. Classical conditioning

is one way to alter behavior. Several different techniques and strategies are used in

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this approach to therapy such as aversion therapy, flooding and systematic

desensitization.

Operant Conditioning

Operant conditioning focuses on how reinforcement and punishment can be

utilized to either increase or decrease the frequency of a behavior. Behaviors

followed by desirable consequences are more likely to occur again in the future,

while those followed by negative consequences become less likely to occur.

Behavior therapy techniques use reinforcement, punishment, shaping, modeling,

and related techniques to alter behavior. These methods have the benefit of being

highly focused, which means they can produce fast and effective results.

Having discussed behavior therapy and its technique, it is visibly clear that

behavior therapy implemented within the home setting can be a powerful tool for

enhancing parent-child relationships by addressing problematic dynamics. Through

incorporating the parent into the therapeutic process, a shift from conflict to

collaboration can occur. This approach equips parents with new skills to improve

communication, establish boundaries, and reinforce positive behaviors within the

family unit. By conducting therapy at home, real-life situations can be addressed

effectively, fostering a supportive environment for growth and change. The

ultimate goal is to not only strengthen the parent-child relationship but also to

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provide parents with the strategies and confidence needed to cultivate a healthy

and positive connection with their child over the long term.

That being said, a behavior therapist has to work closely with the parent to identify

the specific issues and challenges they are facing in their relationship with their

child. This may include problems such as communication difficulties, defiance,

aggression, or other behavioral issues. The therapist then provides guidance,

support, and specific strategies for the parent to implement at home. The goal is to

help the parent develop effective parenting techniques and skills to address and

modify their child’s behavior in a positive way. The therapist may teach the parent

how to reinforce desired behaviors, set appropriate boundaries and consequences,

and promote healthy communication and cooperation within the parent-child

relationship. The therapy sessions typically involve role-playing, where the parent

practices applying the strategies and techniques learned during the therapy

sessions. The therapist provides feedback, offers suggestions for improvement.