BEHAVIOUR THERAPY Sarah Spence, Ph.D., Dip.(TIRP), RPCNSL1000 OBJECTIVES Understand the foundations of behaviourism and the role of operant conditioning Learn about Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) Apply knowledge of reinforcement/punishment to specific examples Learn about Systematic Desensitization and Exposure Therapy Complete a fear hierarchy BEHAVIOURISM The science of the observable "Black Box" metaphor Laws of learning should apply to all ages and species BEHAVIOUR THERAPY A set of clinical procedures relying on experimental findings ofpsychological research Based on principles of learning that are systematically applied Focus is on the client's current problems and on assessing behaviourthrough observation or self-monitoring Largely action-oriented and educational - therapist teaches clientsskills of self-management FOUR AREAS OF DEVELOPMENT 1) Classical Conditioning (IvanPavlov)2) Operant conditioning (B.F.Skinner)3) Social-Learning Theory (AlbertBandura)4) Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy OPERANT CONDITIONING Behaviours 'operate' on the environment Sequence of learning: Behaviour randomly occurs; Consequences Reinforcement: increases the occurrence of a behaviour Punishment: suppresses behaviour and decreases future occurrences Eg. A pigeon learning to press a lever for food CONTEMPORARY APPROACHESABA Systematic desensitization Exposure therapyEye-MovementDesensitizationand Reprocessing(EMDR)Mindfulness-based stress reduction Dialectical behaviourtherapy (DBT)Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)Cognitive BehaviourTherapy (CBT)Relaxation Training APPLIED BEHAVIOUR ANALYSIS (ABA) Based on operant conditioning A-B-C Model Often used in the treatment of autism

ABA Extinction: Withholding reinforcement from something previously reinforced (e.g., tantrums previously rewarded with attention) Extinction burst - temporary increase in the behaviour SYSTEMATIC DESENSITIZATION Based on the principle of classical conditioning, SystemicDesensitization (SD) is a basic behavioural procedure developed byJoseph Wolpe SD is an effective treatment in the reduction of anxiety and specificphobias Entails relaxation training, development of a graduated anxietyhierarchy, and the presentation of hierarchy items (imaginalexposure) while the client is deeply relaxed

SYSTEMATIC DESENSITIZATION

SYSTEMATICDESENSITIZATIONStep 2: Anxiety hierarchyStep 3: Desensitization EXPOSURE THERAPIES In Vivo Desensitization: Brief and graduated exposure to an actualfear situation or event + relaxation training to cope Flooding: Prolonged and intensive in vivo or imaginal exposure tostimuli that evoke high levels of anxiety, without the opportunity toavoid them YOUR TURN! Create your own fear hierarchy withsomething that is causing you mild anxiety Create a hierarchy with the most intensesituation/anxiety at the top and least intensesituation/anxiety at the bottom SUMMARY Operant conditioning is a foundational aspect of traditional behaviourtherapy Therapies such as ABA use the four quadrants to shape behaviour: Positivereinforcement, positive punishment, negative reinforcement, negativepunishment Systematic Desensitization and Exposure Therapy use relaxationtechniques coupled with real or imaged exposure to fearful stimuli todecrease anxiety Many modern approaches grounded in BT - next week we'll explore CBT!

JOURNAL PROMPT

Reflect on the types of behavioural therapy discussed in class (or in thetext).What approach appeals to you most? Why?Or Reflect on the progressive muscle relaxation and/or the fear hierarchydone in class. How did you find this?