TECHNIQUES.

Behavioral counselors have at their disposal some of the best-researched and most effective
counseling techniques available.

General Behavioral Techniques. General techniques are applicable in all behavioral theories,
although a given technique may be more applicable to a particular approach at a given time or in
a specific circumstance. Some of the most general behavioral techniques are briefly explained
here.

● Use of Reinforces : Reinforcers are those events that, when they follow a behavior,
increase the probability of the behavior repeating. A reinforcer may be either 1. positive
or negative.

Schedules of Reinforcement : When a behavior is first being learned, it should be reinforced

every time it occurs—in other words, by continuous reinforcement. After a behavior is
established, however, it should be reinforced less frequently—in other words, by intermittent
reinforcement. Schedules of reinforcement operate according to either the number of responses
(ratio) or the length of time (interval) between reinforcers . Both ratio and interval schedules may
be either fixed or variable.

1. Shaping. Behavior learned gradually in steps through successive approximation is known

as shaping. When clients are learning new skills, counselors may help break down
behavior into manageable units.

Generalization. Generalization involves the display of behaviors in environments outside where

they were originally learned (e.g., at home, at work). It indicates that transference into another
setting has occurred.

Maintenance. Maintenance is defined as being consistent in performing the actions desired

without depending on anyone else for support. In maintenance, an emphasis is placed on
increasing a client’s self-control and self-management. One way this may be done is through
self-monitoring, when clients learn to modify their own behaviors. It involves two processes
related to self-monitoring: self-observation and self-recording (Goldiamond, 1976). Self-
observation requires that a person notice particular behaviors he or she does; self-recording
focuses on recording these behaviors.

2.Extinction. Extinction is the elimination of a behavior because of a withdrawal of its

reinforcement. Few individuals will continue doing something that is not rewarding.

3.Punishment. Punishment involves presenting an aversive stimulus to a situation to suppress or

eliminate a behavior.
Specific Behavioral Techniques. Specific behavioral techniques are refined behavioral methods
that combine general techniques in precise ways. They are found in different behavioral
approaches.

Behavioral Rehearsal. Behavioral rehearsal consists of practicing a desired behavior until it is

performed the way a client wishes (Lazarus, 1985).

Environmental Planning. Environmental planning involves a client’s setting up part of the

environment to promote or limit certain behaviors.

Systematic Desensitization. Systematic desensitization is designed to help clients overcome

anxiety in particular situations. A client is asked to describe the situation that causes anxiety and
then to rank this situation and related events on a hierarchical scale (Table 8.1), from aspects that
cause no concern (0) to those that are most troublesome (100). To help the client avoid anxiety
and face the situation, the counselor teaches him or her to relax physically or mentally. The
hierarchy is then reviewed, starting with low-anxiety items. When the client’s anxiety begins to
mount, the client is helped to relax again, and the procedures then start anew until the client is
`able to be calm even when thinking about or imagining the event that used to create the most
anxiety.

4 .Assertiveness Training. The major tenet of assertiveness training is that a person

should be free to express thoughts and feelings appropriately without feeling undue
anxiety (Alberti & Emmons, 2008). The technique consists of counter conditioning
anxiety and reinforcing assertiveness. A client is taught that everyone has the right (not
the obligation) of self-expression. The client then learns the differences among
aggressive, passive, and assertive actions.

Contingency Contracts. Contingency contracts spell out the behaviors to be performed,

changed, or discontinued; the rewards associated with the achievement of these goals; and the
conditions under which rewards are to be received.

Time-Out. Time-out is a mild aversive technique in which a client is separated from the
opportunity to receive positive reinforcement. It is most effective when employed for short
periods of time, such as 5 minutes.

Overcorrection. Overcorrection is a technique in which a client first restores the environment

to its natural state and then makes it “better than normal.”

Covert Sensitization. Covert sensitization is a technique in which undesired behavior is

eliminated by associating it with unpleasantness.