HMEF 5063

3.2 BEHAVIOURAL
COUNSELLING

PREPARED BY: GURSHARAN KAUR

 First, counsellors holding on to
behavioural tenets are active when
conducting sessions, compared to
insight therapies.
Second, behavioural counsellors focus
on changing clients behaviour rather
than exploring thoughts and feelings.
Third, counsellors using the
behavioural approach work within a
short time frame of sessions, with
clear-cut goals to achieve in a defined
time limit.
 Whereas insight-oriented counsellors believe in
thoughts and feelings, behavioural counsellors focus
on observable and measurable behaviours.

They believe that behaviour is learned, thus it can be

changed. The focus of counselling and therapies is
often on changing the behaviours, thoughts and
feelings in such a way that the change can be
observed and measured.
 BASIC ASSUMPTION

the main
assumption in
behavioural therapy
is that clients have
learned to acquire
a maladaptive or
inefficient
behaviour through
association, or
consequences.
Pavlovs Experiment on classical conditioning
CLASSICAL CONDITIONING

Classical conditioning is a reflexive or

automatic type of learning in which a
stimulus acquires the capacity to evoke a
response that was originally evoked by
another stimulus.

Ivan Pavlov
CLASSICAL CONDITIONING
Behavioural therapy that is based on classical
conditioning uses a number of techniques to
bring about behaviour change. Originally this
type of therapy was known as behaviour
modification, but these days it is usually
referred to as applied behaviour analysis.
The various methods of changing behaviour
include:
Flooding
Systematic desensitisation
Aversion therapy
FLOODING THERAPY
FLOODING THERAPY
Flooding is a process generally used for those with
phobias and anxiety and involves exposing the
individual to objects/situations they are afraid of
in an intense and fast manner. An example of this
would be exposing a person who is afraid of dogs
to a dog for an extended period of time. The
longer this continues with nothing bad happening,
the less fearful the person becomes.
The idea is that the person cannot escape the
object/situation during the process and therefore
must confront their fear head on. Obviously this
method can be disconcerting and may only be
suitable for certain situations.
SYSTEMATIC DESENSITISATION
An example of this would be a person who is
afraid of small spaces. They may start by
thinking about a small space or looking at an
image of a small space while utilising
relaxation techniques, and work their way up
to being in a small space. This pairing of the
fear-inducing item and newly learned
relaxation behaviour aims to eliminate the
phobia or anxiety.
AVERSION THERAPY
AVERSION THERAPY
This process pairs undesirable behaviour with
some form of aversive stimulus with the aim
of reducing unwanted behaviour. An example
of how this is commonly used is when an
alcoholic is prescribed a certain drug that
induces nausea, anxiety and headaches when
combined with alcohol. This means every
time the person drinks, they get negative
side effects. This hopes to put off that
person from drinking to help them overcome
their addiction.
OPERANT CONDITIONING
A type of learning in which behavior is
increased or decreased by systemically
changing its consequences.
TOKEN ECONOMIES
TOKEN ECONOMIES

This strategy relies on positive reinforcement

- offering individuals 'tokens' that can be
exchanged for privileges or desired items
when positive behaviour is exhibited. This is
a common tactic used by parents and
teachers to help improve the behaviour of
children.
CONTINGENCY MANAGEMENT
A more formal approach, contingency
management involves a written contract
between the therapist and individual that
outlines goals, rewards and penalties. For
some, having this kind of clear agreement
helps to change behaviour and add a sense of
accountability.
 MODELLING
Modelling involves
learning through
observation and imitation
of others. Having a
positive role model can
give individuals something
to aim for, allowing them
to change their behaviour
to match their role
model's. This role model
may be the therapist or
someone the individual
already knows.
EXTINCTION
Extinction works by removing
any type of reinforcement to
behaviour. An example of this
would be a disruptive child
who is given a time-out or
told to sit on the 'naughty
step'. By removing them from
the situation (and associated
attention) the behaviour
should stop. This premise
can be carried across to
adults too - however the
'naughty step' will probably
be given a different name.
GOALS OF COUNSELLING
A fewimportantgoalsofcounsellingareas
under:

Facilitatingbehaviourchange
Enhancing copingskills
Promotingdecisionmaking
Improvingrelationships
Facilitatingtheclient'spotential
ROLES OF COUNSELLORS
 ROLES OF COUNSELLORS
Consultant
Teacher
Personal Counselor
Crisis Counselor
Peer Facilitator
Group Counselor
School Test Coordinator
Career Counselor
Chairperson for the Intervention & Referral Services Team Grades
3-5 and Bilingual K-5
Anti-Bullying Specialist
Advisor
Program Manager
Researcher
Public Relations Consultant
Heroes Mentorship Program Coordinator
Program Evaluator
Child Study Team Liaison
Lunchroom Supervisor & Parents Parking Lot Supervisor
School Safety Team Chairperson & PBIS Committee Member
504/ADA Plan Coordinator/Writer
Revised by T. Curcuru from D. Gibsons original slide.