The essence of this approach, which goes back to theories P. Pavlov and B. Skinner, consists in modifying behavioral stereotypes through the use of the principles of learning theory. Behavioral and emotional problems are understood to be reinforced as a result of the encouragement and reinforcement of maladaptive responses to environmental stimuli. The task of psychotherapy is to eliminate or modify them. A behavioral therapist answers 4 questions:
- What behavior is the target for change and what in the observed behavior is subject to strengthening, weakening, support?
- What events supported and support this behavior?
- What changes in the environment and systematic interventions can change this behavior?
- How can once established behavior be maintained and/or extended to new situations in a limited amount of time?
The therapist does not seek to penetrate into the origins of the conflict (symptom, problem) — he changes the observed behavioral stereotypes. Psychotherapy begins with a detailed analysis of behavior. The goal of the analysis is to obtain as detailed a scenario as possible for the occurrence of a symptom, described in observable and measurable terms of what, when, where, under what circumstances, in response to what, how often, how much, etc. Then, triggering and supporting factors. Then a detailed step-by-step action plan is drawn up and implemented in joint and independent work. Compared to the psychodynamic approach, this approach is clearly directive.
From S. Ginger (Gestalt — Contact Therapy)
In traditional psychoanalysis, the symptom is often relegated to the background and regarded as a guide on the path of self-discovery. Consistent awareness of the repressed material is carried out through a global approach to the deep personality, through the analysis of transfer and interpretations. It is believed that «recovery» will come by itself, as if in addition to the above; Freud himself recommended to beware of excessive «zeal for a cure.» In this case, a subjective and rather pessimistic view of a person appears (the oppressive determinism of early childhood, natural «polymorphic perverse» inclinations, etc.).
In the behavioral approach, on the contrary, the symptom itself is treated; this is explained by concern for the effectiveness of therapy and “respect for the most explicit request of the client”, who came to the consultation with her and, as a rule, does not ask for anything more. After all, a client who comes to buy only a tie is not offered an expensive three-piece suit! Precise deconditioning and desensitization techniques (Wolp) often lead to a rapid disappearance of a symptom, for example in the case of phobias or sexual disorders, which, however, is not accompanied by a global restructuring of the entire personality. Let’s add along the way that symptomatic shifts (the appearance of new, replacement symptoms), according to statistics, occur much less frequently than psychoanalysts think. And even vice versa, positive “chain reactions” are often noted (For example, with the cure of sexual impotence, car accidents (integration of the body schema) and outbursts of anger (the illusion of omnipotence) stop. Proponents of this approach believe that their view of a person is objective and realistic.↑