34.3Overview of Behavioral Therapies and Techniques

Cognitive Therapies vs. Behavioral Therapies

Cognitive therapies focus on thoughts, while behavioral therapies focus on the actions of patients.

Theories utilized in Behavioral Therapies

Utilize classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and modeling.

Counterconditioning

Jones counterconditioned children by giving them food while exposing them to the rabbit, leading them to associate the rabbit with positive experiences.

Systematic Desensitization

Wolpe's is an exposure therapy designed to reduce anxiety in phobias by pairing relaxation techniques with anxiety-provoking situations.

Desensitization Hierarchy

Involves gradually increasing the anxiety level of situations while teaching relaxation techniques to manage anxiety.

Virtual Reality Therapy

Available for situations that may be difficult to replicate during treatment.

Aversion Therapy

pairs an unpleasant stimulus with a maladaptive behavior to create an aversive reaction.

Token Economy

Token economy uses tangible rewards like stickers or chips to reinforce positive behavior, employing operant conditioning techniques.

Effectiveness of Token Economy

Token economy is particularly successful in treating young patients and in hospital or inpatient settings.

Virtual Reality Therapy for PTSD

Virtual Reality Therapy (VRT) helps PTSD patients recreate traumatic events and associated feelings as a form of exposure therapy.