Psychology

The theories as well as therapeutic approaches that are examined in the context of this paper evolved in the final half of the twentieth century. These theories evolved at the same time with behavioral, cognitive as well as cognitive behavioral advances like Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), with each theory spawning the competing and the complementing theories concerned with the manner people change. The theories as well as therapies usually change very fast with a typical duration of less than 20-year span (Sharf, 2008). Behavioral, cognitive as well as cognitive behavioral therapies are continuously evolving and are characterized by an increase in effort associated with the demonstration of their achievement in psychotherapy. Behavior therapy can be defined as a kind of psychotherapy which is more focused towards changing the undesirable behaviors in an individual. This involves the identification of undesirable behaviors in an individual and replacing them with healthier behaviors. Cognitive therapy is a type of psychotherapy that is involved with the thoughts as well as emotions that are associated with certain undesirable behaviors. REBT on the other hand combines both the cognitive as well as behavioral theories and therapeutic measures (Ellis, 1999).

Comparison between behavioral therapy and REBT
In both therapies, the therapist is supposed to examine the client first and make sure that his condition is well understood. They mostly rely on the clients behavior to have a clear understanding of the condition and formulate the best possible treatment exercise. The assessment of the client should be accurate. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) can be used in both therapies to establish the extent of the condition and also to determine if considerable improvement is being achieved by therapeutic treatment (Sharf, 2008). Both therapies aim at changing an individual behavior but through slightly different approaches. They are both behavioral therapies, the only difference being that REBT incorporates both the behavioral as well as the cognitive aspects of treatment (Sharf, 2008).

Contrast between behavioral therapy and REBT
Wile in behavioral therapy the therapist is supposed to come up with modes of treatment that are supposed to be helpful in changing the behaviors of a person, REBT explores treatments which change the clients belief system and as a consequence, the client is bound to change his behavior based on the new belief system which he has acquired (Ellis, 1999). Behavioral therapy can incorporate treatments like assertive training, environment modification, relaxation training as well as desensitization. Positive reinforcement, modeling as well training on social skills can be incorporated (Sharf, 2008). REBT incorporates cognitive homework activities which the client is supposed to perform in the course of the counseling (Wozencraft, 1998). Since REBT combines both the behavioral and the cognitive therapies, the treatment should be constructed in such a manner that both these therapies are performed. The emotive techniques which are commonly adopted include rational-emotive imagery, self-dialogue, forceful self-statements, role playing as well as exercises which are meant for attacking shame (Wozencraft, 1998). The behavioral approaches that are most commonly used in this kind of therapy include, self-management, relaxation, modeling as well as systematic desensitization. REBT therapists have also been observed to give assignments on in-vivo behavioral activities, Self reward and punishment, as well as skill training (Ellis, 2000).

The empirical evidence of the effectiveness of behavioral therapy and REBT has been demonstrated in relaxation training, desensitization, assertive training, environment modification, as well as positive reinforcement as counseling applications. These counseling activities have been very helpful to most clients if they are complemented by good therapist examination and evaluation of the extent of the undesired behavior which the client may be having.

In the context of behavior therapy, the therapist is supposed to know how to effect positive as well as negative reinforcement in order to stimulate good habits as he extinguishes negative behaviors. The therapist should know how to influence a client gradually towards the desired objectives of the therapy. A competent therapist should be in a position to accurately assess and ascertain the condition of his client before he can engage in any form of corrective measure. In the context of REBT, a therapist should be in a position to establish the belief system of a client since it is the one believed to lead to emotional reactions and not necessarily the activating event (Ellis, 1999). A therapist should be able to understand a client so well so that he can be able to determine the best way to change his belief system in the course of the therapy. The client should be discouraged from irrational beliefs. The client is required to recognize their irrational beliefs and replace them with rational ones. In the course of the development of a therapist, keen action should be directed towards ensuring that he is able to understand the condition of his client. This is the first step to ensuring that he is able to know the best treatment under which to refer him. In cases where multiple treatment measures need to be incorporated, the therapist should base himself on the extent of the clients condition to put him on the right treatment or counseling activity.