Unique Behaviour Therapy

What Is Behaviour Therapy? Why Is It Important?

The connections between our thoughts and our actions are powerful. We often don’t realize or fail to appreciate the importance of maintaining a positive focus no matter what situation we find ourselves in. We are all susceptible to falling into ineffective or harmful thought patterns, particularly when things go wrong. However, some people are more prone to letting negative thoughts turn into problematic behaviours.

When problems are exacerbated by unhealthy thought patterns or psychological trauma, being aware of how one’s thoughts can contribute to the symptoms is the key to overcoming the associated distress. The field of applied behaviour analysis (ABA) emphasizes and encourages healthy modes of communication, social skills, and other activities. It also addresses such adaptive learning skills as hygiene, motor dexterity, self-sufficiency, punctuality, and positive behaviours in employment settings.

An article in Cognitive Therapy and Research defines Behaviour Therapy as a therapeutic process that attempts to change the “maladaptive cognitions” in human thinking that can make emotional distress and unhealthy behaviours that much worse.

Examples of such conditions are a person’s beliefs, models of the world, self-image, and feelings about the future. By applying various therapeutic strategies, behaviour therapists at MindYog attempt to alter these maladaptive cognitions to reduce and eliminate emotional distress and unhealthy behaviours.

Uses of Behaviour Therapy in Mental Health Treatment

All types of people can be helped by behaviour and ABA therapy. For example, the approach is effective in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), attention deficit disorders (ADDs), and other behavioural issues.

The Expert Psychologists at MindYog suggest that children are better able to control their behaviour when they receive behaviour therapy from their parents, who in turn are supported by health care professionals. The children function better in school and have improved relationships with family members. Among the skills therapists teach to parents are how to engage in active listening, give positive attention, and create structure and consistency.

Behaviour therapy is equally effective in treating mental illness in people age 65 and older. In contrast to the stereotype of seniors as sad and lonely, most people in the age group are happy and satisfied — even reportedly more accepting of death than younger people — according to the Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT). That is perhaps the reason why it is important to take note of mental illness in older people rather than simply attributing problems to their “old age.”

Effective Behaviour Therapy Techniques

There is no single type of behaviour therapy. In fact, what defines behaviour therapy are many different types of specialized therapies, including the following:

Therapist at MindYog - Kolkata’s Best Psychological Wellness Centre, also use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for the following Disorders:

Cognitive behavioural therapy - The therapist helps the person identify unhealthy thought patterns and understand how those thoughts contribute to self-destructive behaviours and beliefs. Once the patterns are known, the therapist works with the person to think more constructively.
Modelling - The therapist acts out a non-fearful response to a negative situation, and the person’s anxiety may be reduced by imitating the non-fearful response.
Classroom management - Teachers participate in promoting the positive behaviour of students, blocking negative behaviours, and allowing the student to focus on academic work.
Parent training - The parents are taught ways to reinforce positive behaviours, deter negative acts, and enhance the parent-child relationship. Parents are instructed on observing the child, using praise and positive attention to reward good behaviour, setting rules, and addressing negative actions.
Peer intervention - One or more of the student’s peers may help him address behaviour problems. The peers are taught by a teacher to encourage positive behaviour in academic performance and social settings. In addition to proving successful in boosting the health and well-being of the student, the peer assistants benefit from their participation because it reinforces their positive behaviours and enhances their sense of responsibility.