Behavioral Approaches To Therapy Essay Sample

Postmodern behavior therapy is a treatment model aimed at achieving towards behavior change. Specifically, postmodern behavior therapy has different approaches and one of them is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). ACT is a clinical therapy strategy that involves psychotherapy analysis (Spence, Carson, and Thibaut, 1976). The main principle of ACT is to use the right empirical psychological interventions and appropriate strategies, to increase psychological flexibility in administering behavioral change therapy to patients. In most cases, behavior change therapists apply sequential therapeutic approaches when administering ACT. However, numerous nurses have revealed that ACT procedures are imperative in achieving the desired results. In other words, a patient may be taken through behavioral therapy without first eliminating or changing their feelings (Dewane, 2008). Essentially, this approach is perfect and is likely to lead to quick behavior change among patients. Additionally, this approach advocates for patients to accept their conditions to facilitate therapy. It is noteworthy to indicate that administering ACT may be challenging and may prove to be unproductive, especially when the patient refuses to accept their condition (Dewane, 2008). Therefore, the most vital step in administering ACT is to initiate the patient’s change of attitude regarding their medical condition.
Further, Spence, Carson, and Thibaut (1976), indicate that several mind-body techniques, such as, biofeedback and hypnosis, are effective medical psychology interventions used in behavioral therapy. These techniques are effective for medical psychology since they are associated to the emotional and mental being of the patient. Therefore, they are vital in influencing behavioral health. Biofeedback and hypnotherapy (hypnosis) are significant since they directly involve the mental and emotional aspects of patients (Spence, Carson, and Thibaut, 1976). For instance, hypnosis involves the process of leading the patient to advanced relaxation states and seeking their attention. On the other hand, biofeedback helps in controlling unconsciousness. Therefore, these techniques are ideal for improving and bolstering patients’ behavioral health strategies (Dewane, 2008). Subsequently, they are relatively effective for behavioral therapy.

References

Dewane, C. (2008). “The ABCs of ACT — Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.” Encyclopedia of Social Work Today. Vol. 8 No. 5 P. 34. Retrieved March 31, 2015 from http://www.socialworktoday.com/archive/090208p36.shtml
Spence, J. T., Carson, R. C., & Thibaut, J. W. (1976). Behavioral approaches to therapy. Morristown, N.J: General Learning Press.