BEHAVIORAL THERAPY: It’s a theory, but it’s a therapy.

Burrhus Frederic Skinner, commonly known as B.F. Skinner, was an American psychologist, behaviorist, author, inventor, and social philosopher who touched upon behavioral therapy.

So what does Skinner say? Behaviors are learned. Behavioral therapy believes that behavior can be unlearned.

Change is really hard. So this therapy is a learning process.

What it’s focusing on is teaching the clients that they can gain mastery over their lives while also increasing self esteem through their own actions.

So who came before Skinner? Pavlov started first.

The food.. The bell.. The salivating.. He did it with dogs.

So if you were to do a behavioral assessment, it would be an evaluation of the behaviors that need to be increased or shaped.

So what does that tell you? It’s a reward based system, isn’t it? It’s not a negative.

We’re sort of viewed as the consultant as a behavior therapist. You’re also known as a teacher and as a trainer. That helps the patient / client to learn about themselves and incorporating your coping skills.

Behavior therapy is great with the special needs population.

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