Behaviour

Therapy

Behavioural therapy is one of the highly studied therapy approaches. The aim is to increase the desirable behaviour and reduce the maladaptive one. The therapeutic approach assumes that both normal and maladaptive behaviors are learned and that appropriate therapy will help a person learn new adaptive behaviors and ‘unlearn’ maladaptive practices.

The technique here is based on rewards and punishments. Patterns that trigger a behaviour are looked at and techniques to make them constructive and applicable across scenrios are looked into.  It involves associative learning and understanding one’s actions and its consequences. 

Behavioral therapy also has its offshoot techniques like progressive muscle relaxation technique for relaxation and systematic desensitization for dealing with phobias along with others. 

Though used extensively with children, behavioural therapy has shown successful results with various mental health ailments.