Behaviorist Theory

Founder

- Ivan Pavlov (Classical Conditioning)

- John B. Watson (Father of Behaviorism)
- B.F. Skinner (Operant Reinforcement
Theory)
- Albert Bandura (Applied principles of
classical and operant conditioning to social
learning/Modeling)

Ways to identify client

This type of therapy is typically used for those

with mental health conditions that involve
unwanted behavior such as addictions, anxiety,
phobias and OCD.

Therapy Process

An action-based therapy where it aims to foster

positive behavior change. Behaviorists believe
that behavior can be both learned and unlearned. Therefore, the main goal of this therapy
is to help the client learn new, positive behavior
until the issue faced can be minimized or
eliminated.

Techniques Used

Timeline

1.
-

Classical conditioning
Flooding
Systematic Desensitization
Aversion therapy

2.
-

Operant conditioning
Token economies
Contingency management
Modeling
Extinction

It starts from the early stage where counselor

helps to identify the main issue faced by the

client, the causes and effects of it and lastly, the

counselor assists the client in adopting new and
positive behavior which will eventually eradicate
the issue faced.
Setting
Unique Traits

In a safe, non-threatening environment.

1. Helps us to develop flexible, self-enhancing
beliefs and attitudes towards ourselves,
others and the world.
2. It is goal-directed.
3. It addresses our past with a view to
understanding how our personal history
may be affecting our present day beliefs
and behaviors.
4. It focuses on how our problems are being
perpetuated rather than searching for a
singular reason or root cause.