Behavioral Therapy

Arnold A. Lazarus
Born on 1932 in Johannesburg, South
Africa.
Youngest in the family.
He majored in English to pursue
Journalism career but end up
switching course because his
professors are too boring.
He obtained masters degree in
experimental psychology in 1957 and
in clinical psychology in 1960.

Arnold A. Lazarus
In 1963, he was invited by Albert Bandura to
teach at Stanford University.
He got homesick so go back to Johannesburg
but returned to California in 1966 to head the
Behavior Therapy Institute.
Lazarus Behavior Therapy and Beyond (1971)
is one of the first books on cognitive behavioral
therapy and it is subsequently evolved into his
systematic and comprehensive approach called
multimodal therapy.

Goals
The client usually formulate the
goals, which are specifically defined
at the outset of the therapeutic
process.

View of Human Nature

Behavior therapy is grounded on a
scientific view of human behavior
that implies a systematic and
structured approach to counseling.
In this view, the person is the
producer and the product of his/her
environment.

Role of Counselor
Focus on the specifics
Systematically attempt to get
information about situational
antecedents, the dimensions of the
problem behavior, and the
consequences of the problem.
Role modeling for the client.

Methods and Techniques

Relaxation Training
Systematic Desensitization
Modeling Methods
Assertion-training Programs
Self-management Programs
Multimodal Therapy

Relaxation Training
It is a method of teaching people to
cope with the stresses produced by
daily living.
It is aimed at achieving the muscle
and mental relaxation.
It involves several components that
require from 4 to 8 hours of
instruction.
Clients are given a set of instructions
that asks them to relax.

Relaxation Training
They assume a passive and relaxed
position in a quiet environment while
alternately contracting and relaxing
muscles.
Deep and regular breathing is also
associated with producing relaxation.
The client learn to mentally let go,
perhaps focusing in pleasant
thoughts or images.

Systematic Desensitization
It is based on the principle of Classic
Conditioning.
It involves a behavioral analysis of
stimuli that evoke anxiety and the
constructing of a hierarchy of anxiety
producing situations; then relaxation
procedures are taught and paired
with imagined scenes

Systematic Desensitization
Before the desensitization, the counselor
conducts an initial interview to identify
specific information about the problem
and to gather relevant background
information about the client.
The interview may last several sessions
to give the counselor a better view and
understanding on the clients situation or
problem.

Systematic Desensitization
After the interview, if the decision
made is to use desensitization
method, the counselor should give the
client a rationale for the procedure
and briefly describes what is involved.
Three steps of systematic
desensitization: relaxation training,
development of the anxiety hierarchy
and systematic desensitization proper.

Systematic Desensitization
During the first few sessions the client is
taught how to relax. The counselor uses a very
soft, quiet and pleasant voice to teach
progressive muscular relaxation.
The client is induced to create imagery of
relaxing situations.
The client is then taught how to relax the
muscle while visualizing the various parts of
the body, with emphasis on the facial muscles.
The client is instructed to practice relaxation
outside the session for about 30 minutes each
day.

Systematic Desensitization
After completing the interview and the
relaxation process, the counselor
works with the client to develop an
anxiety for each identified areas.
Stimuli that elicit anxiety in a
particular area are analyzed.
The counselor constructs a ranked list
of situations that elicit increasing
degrees of anxiety or avoidance.

Systematic Desensitization
The hierarchy situation is arranged in order
from the worst situation to the situation
that evokes the least anxiety.
The desensitization process begins with
clients reaching complete relaxation with
eyes closed. A neutral scene is presented
and the client is asked to imagine it. If the
client remained relaxed, he/she is asked to
imagine the least anxiety arousing scene
on the hierarchy of situations that has
been developed.

Systematic Desensitization
The counselor moves progressively up
the hierarchy until the client signals
that he or she is experiencing anxiety,
at which time the scene is terminated.
Relaxation is then induced again, then
the client continues up the hierarchy.
Treatment ends when the client is able
to remain relaxed while imagining the
worst scene in the hierarchy.

Systematic Desensitization
Homework and follow-ups are
essential components of successful
desensitization.
Systematic desensitization is an
appropriate technique for treating
phobias. It has been also used
effectively in dealing with
nightmares, anorexia nervosa,
obsessions, compulsions, stuttering
and depression.

Modeling Methods
Bandura has emphasized the role of
modeling in the development and the
modification of human behavior. He
has suggested that most fears are
developed through social
transmission rather than through
experience with aversive stimuli.

3 Types of Modeling
Live model
Symbolic model
Multiple Model

3 Types of Modeling
Live Model

Symbolic Model

Teaches clients the

appropriate behavior,
influence attitudes
and values, and
teaches social skills.

Models behavior is
shown on films, tapes,
or other recording
devices.

Multiple Model
Essential in group counseling.
The observer change attitudes and
learn new skills through observation
of successful peers in the group.
An advantage of multiple models is
that observers learn some alternative
ways of behaving, for they see a
variety of appropriate and successful
styles of behavior.

Assertion Training
It is a form of social-skills training.
The basic assumption underlying the
assertion training is that people have
the right to express their feelings,
thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes.
One goal of assertion is to increase
peoples behavioral repertoire so that
they make the choice of whether to
behave assertively in certain situations.

Assertion Training
Teaches people to express
themselves in a way that reflects
sensitivity to the feelings and rights
of others.
Most assertion training programs
focus on the clients negative selfstatements, self-defeating beliefs,
and faulty thinking.

Self-Management Programs
Self-management strategies include selfmonitoring, self-reward, self-contracting, and
stimulus control.
Self-management has been applied to various
problems such as anxiety, depression and pain.
In self-management, people make decisions
concerning specific behaviors they want to
control.
Change can be brought about by teaching
people to use coping skills in problematic
situations.

5 Characteristic of an effective SelfManagement Programs

A combination of self-management strategies
is usually more useful than a single strategy
Consistent use of strategies are essential.
It is necessary to set realistic goals and then
evaluate the degree to which they are being
met.
The use of self-reinforcement is an important
component of self-management programs.
Environmental support is necessary to
maintain changes that result from a selfmanagement program.

Multimodal Therapy
Multimodal therapy is a
comprehensive, systematic, holistic
approach to behavior modification
developed by Lazarus.
The underlying assumption of this
approach is that because individuals
are troubled by a variety of specific
problems, it is appropriate that
multitude of treatment strategies be
used in bringing about change.

Multimodal Therapy
The essence of the multimodal approach is the
premise that human beings complex personality
can be divided into seven major areas of
functioning:
B behavior
A affective responses
S Sensations
I Images
C Cognition

I Interpersonal relationships
D drugs, biological functions, nutrition and exercise

 A counselor that uses multimodal therapy

takes the view that a complete assessment
and treatment program must account for
each modality of this BASIC ID.
BASIC ID is the cognitive map that ensures
the aspect od personality receives explicit
and systematic attention.
Multimodal begins with a comprehensive
assessment of the 7 modalities of human
functioning.
Clients are asked with questions related to
7 modalities.

Multimod
al
Therapy

Behavi
or

This modality refers

primarily to the overt
behaviors that are
observable and
measurable.
What would you like to
change?
How active are you?
What would you like to
start doing?
What are some of your
strengths?

Multimoda This modality refers

to emotions, moods
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Affect

or strong feelings.
How emotional are
you?
What makes you
laugh?
What makes you
cry?
What emotions are
problematic for you?

Multimod
al
Therapy

Sensati
on

This area refers to the 5

basic senses.
Do you suffer from
unpleasant sensations
such as pains, aches or
dizziness?
How much do you focus
on sensation?
What do you particularly
like or dislike in the way
of seeing, smelling,
hearing, touching or
tasting?

Multimoda This modality pertains

to ways in which we
l Therapy

Imagery

picture ourselves, and

it includes memories
and dreams.
What are your some
bothersome recurring
dreams and vivid
memories?
How do you view
your body?
How do you see
yourself?

Multimoda This modality refers

to insights,
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Cognitio
n

philosophies, ideas,
and judgments that
constitute ones
fundamental values
attitudes, and beliefs.
How much of a
thinker are you?
How do your
thoughts affect your
emotions?

Multimoda This modality refers

to interactions with
l Therapy

other people.
How much of a social
being are you?
What do they expect
Interperson
from you?
al
What do you expect
Relationship from significant
people in your life?
s

Multimoda This modality refers

more than drugs; it
l Therapy

Drugs
/Biolo
gy

takes into
consideration ones
nutritional habits and
exercise patterns.
What are your habits
pertaining to diet,
exercise and physical
fitness?
Do you take any
prescribed drugs?