Berni Curwen and Peter Ruddell

Behaviour therapy is aimed at changing observable and measurable human behaviour. These changes are chosen by the therapist and the client together. As this approach is aimed at behaviour change, some problems are better suited to behaviour therapy than others. The therapist is directive, giving the client clear guidelines about what to do in order to bring about such changes. This direction is guided by the therapist’s detailed assessment. The assessment considers three main areas: the factors immediately preceding the problem, the problem behaviour itself and the consequences of the behaviour for the client (as well as those people around him or her)

Behaviour therapy covers a range of approaches. At one end, the focus is entirely upon behaviour; thoughts (cognitions) are not denied but are considered to be peripheral to therapeutic work. At the other end, thoughts are considered to be a central and mediating factor of behaviour, and are therefore taken fully into account in bringing about behaviour change. The range of approaches therefore merges into cognitive behaviour therapy.

Further information about this therapeutic approach written by the authors, can be found in "Introduction to Counselling and Psychotherapy: The Essential Guide", edited by Professor Stephen Palmer and published by Sage, London.  Price £18.99.

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