Behavior, Cognitive, & Group Therapy

behavior therapy

therapy that applies learning principles to the elimination of unwanted behaviors

counterconditioning

behavior therapy procedures that use classical conditioning to evoke new responses to stimuli that are triggering unwanted behaviors

exposure therapy

behavioral techniques that treat anxieties by exposing people (in imaginary/actual situations) to the things they fear and avoid

systematic desensitization

type of exposure therapy that associates a pleasant relaxed state with gradually increasing anxiety-triggering stimuli (commonly used to treat phobias)

aversive conditioning

type of counterconditioning that associates an unpleasant state with an unwanted behavior

token economy

operant conditioning procedure in which people earn a token for exhibiting a desired behavior and can later exchange token for privileges or treats

cognitive therapy

therapy that teaches people new, more adaptive ways of thinking; based on the assumption that thoughts intervene between events and our emotional reactants

rational-emotive behavior therapy (REBT)

confrontational cognitive therapy that vigorously challenges people's illogical, self-defeating attitudes and assumptions

cognitive behavior therapy (CBT)

popular integrative therapy that combines cognitive therapy (changing self-defeating thinking) with behavior therapy (changing behavior)

group therapy

therapy conducted with groups rather than individuals, providing benefits from group interaction

family therapy

therapy that treats people in the context of their family system; views and individual's unwanted behaviors as influenced by, or directed at, other family members

self-help groups

religious interest, support; "support each other emotionally"