Clinical Psychology

serviceable character (Goldfried & Davison, 1994;
Meichenbaum, 1977; Thorpe & Olson, 1997).

Traditional Techniques of Behavior Therapy

Before we discuss specific behavior therapy tech-
niques, let us note both the importance of the ther-
apeutic relationship and the tendency of modern
behavior therapists to use multiple techniques
with the same patient.

The Relationship

In their explanation of the success of their thera-
peutic methods, many behavior therapists seem to
ignore the relationship as a contributing factor. Yet
in Wolpe’s (1958) accounts of systematic desensiti-
zation, we find that the therapist is exhorted to

adopt an attitude of acceptance toward patients, to

explain their difficulties to them, and to make clear

the behavioral rationale for treatment. In fact, there

are data that indicate clients perceive relationship

factors to be very important to successful behavior

therapy and CBT outcome, similar to clients’per-

ceptions concerning other forms of psychotherapy

(Sloane, Staples, Cristol, Yorkston, & Whipple,

1975a). There are several reasons behavior therapy

clients might view the therapeutic relationship as

positive and at least partially responsible for changes

made. Behavior therapists may be experienced as

more open and accepting of the client’s problems

(rather than viewing problems as indicative of

unconscious processes); treatment is collaborative

and more“educational”in style; and interventions

are clearly linked to the problematic behaviors that

have been targeted for change by the client and

therapist (Spiegler & Guevremont, 2010).

None of this is meant to suggest that behavior

therapy can be reduced to“nothing more”than

subtle relationship factors. What is suggested, how-

ever, is that one can never afford to ignore aspects

of the relationship as contributors to successful ther-

apeutic intervention. After all, it is through the

therapy relationship that the patient’s expectations

of help can be nurtured so that behavioral therapy

will be accepted as a viable alternative (Goldfried &

Davison, 1994; Spiegler & Guevremont, 2010).

Stated differently, behavior therapy is not going to

be successful if the patient expects it to fail or is

otherwise antagonistic toward it. Behavior thera-

pists have sometimes been said to be cold and

mechanistic in their approach to patients. This is

probably more myth or stereotype than fact.

Indeed, Sloane et al. (1975a) found that behavior

therapists were generally warmer and more

empathic than other psychotherapists!

Broad Spectrum of Treatment

Behavior therapists use a variety of specific

techniques—not only for different patients but

for the same patient at different points in the overall

treatment process. Lazarus (1971a) refers to this as

B.F. Skinner pioneered the field of operant conditioning

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