Clinical behavior analysis

Clinical behavior analysis (CBA; also called clinical behaviour analysis or third-generation behavior therapy) is the clinical application of behavior analysis (ABA).[1] CBA represents a movement in behavior therapy away from methodological behaviorism and back toward radical behaviorism and the use of functional analytic models of verbal behavior—particularly, relational frame theory (RFT).

Current Models

Clinical behavior analysis (CBA) therapies include acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), behavioral medicine (such as behavioral gerontology and pediatric feeding therapy), community reinforcement approach and family training (CRAFT), exposure therapies/desensitization (such as systematic desensitization), functional analytic psychotherapy (FAP, such as behavioral activation (BA) and integrative behavioral couples therapy), and voucher-based contingency management.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Main article: Acceptance and commitment therapy

Acceptance and commitment therapy is probably the most well-researched of all the third-generation behavior therapy models.[citation needed] Its development co-occurred with that of relational frame theory, with several researchers such as Steven C Hayes being involved with both. ACT has been argued to be based on relational frame theory.[2] Although this is a matter of some debate within the community,[3] Originally, this approach was referred to as comprehensive distancing.[4] Every practitioner mixes acceptance with a commitment to one's values. These ingredients become enmeshed into the treatment in different ways which leads to ACT being either more on the mindfulness side, or more on the behavior-changing side.[5] ACT has, as of May 2022, been evaluated in over 900 randomized clinical trials for a variety of client problems.[6] Overall, when compared to other active treatments designed or known to be helpful, the effect size for ACT is a Cohen's d of around 0.6,[7][8] which is considered a medium effect size.

Behavioral Activation

Main article: Behavioral activation

Behavioral activation emerged from a component analysis of cognitive behavior therapy. Cognitive behavior therapy focuses on trying to reverse those negative thoughts that contribute to emotional difficulties such as depression and anxiety. This research found no additive effect for the cognitive component.[9] Behavioral activation is based on a matching law model of reinforcement.[10] A recent review of the research supports the notion that the use of behavioral activation is clinically important for the treatment of depression.[11]

Community Reinforcement Approach and Family Training

Main article: Community reinforcement approach and family training

Community reinforcement approach and family training (CRAFT) is a model developed by Robert Meyer and based on the community reinforcement approach (CRA) first developed by Nathan Azrin and Hunt. The model focuses on the use of functional behavioral assessment to reduce drinking behavior. CRAFT combines CRA with family therapy.

Functional Analytic Psychotherapy

Main article: Functional analytic psychotherapy

Functional analytic psychotherapy is based on a functional analysis of the therapeutic relationship.[12] It places a greater emphasis on the therapeutic context and returns to the use of in-session reinforcement.[13] The basic FAP analysis utilizes what is called the clinically relevant behavior (CRB1), which is the client's presenting problem as presented in-session. Client in-session actions that improve their CRB1s are referred to as CRB2s. Client statements, or verbal behavior, about CRBs are referred to as CRB3s. In general, 40 years of research supports the idea that in-session reinforcement of behavior can lead to behavioral change.[14]

Integrative Behavioral Couples Therapy

Main article: Integrative behavioral couples therapy

Integrative behavioral couples therapy developed from dissatisfaction with traditional behavioral couples therapy. Integrative behavioral couples therapy looks to Skinner (1966) for the difference between contingency shaped and rule-governed behavior.[15] It couples this analysis with a thorough functional assessment of the couples relationship. Recent efforts have used radical behavioral concepts to interpret a number of clinical phenomena including forgiveness.[16]

Clinical Formulation

Main article: Clinical formulation

As with all behavior therapy, clinical behavior analysis relies on a functional analysis of problem behavior. Depending on the clinical model this analysis draws on B.F Skinner's model of Verbal Behavior or relational frame theory.

Professional Organizations

The Association for Behavior Analysis International has a special interest group in clinical behavior analysis ABA:I.[17] ABA:I serves as the core intellectual home for behavior analysts.[18][19]

The Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT) also has an interest group in behavior analysis, which focuses on clinical behavior analysis.

The Association for Contextual Behavioral Science is devoted to third-generation therapies and basic research on derived relational responding and relational frame theory.[20]

The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (in partnership with subject matter experts) has produced a "Clinical Behavior Analysis" fact sheet.[21]

See also

References

  1. ^ Kohlenberg, R. J.; Bolling, M. Y.; Kanter, J. W.; Parker, C. R. (2002). "Clinical behavior analysis: Where it went wrong, how it was made good again, and why its future is so bright" (PDF). The Behavior Analyst Today. 3 (3): 248–53. doi:10.1037/h0099988. ISSN 1539-4352. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 8, 2011. Retrieved May 23, 2010.
  2. ^ Blackledge, J.T. (2003). "An Introduction to Relational Frame Theory: Basics and Applications" (PDF). The Behavior Analyst Today. 3 (4): 421–42. doi:10.1037/h0099997. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 13, 2016. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
  3. ^ Zettle, Robert D; Hayes, Steven C; Barnes-Holmes, Dermot; Biglan, Anthony, eds. (2015). The Wiley Handbook of Contextual Behavioral Science - Wiley Online Library. doi:10.1002/9781118489857. ISBN 9781118489857. S2CID 147707892.
  4. ^ Zettle, R.D. (2005). "The Evolution of a Contextual Approach to Therapy: From Comprehensive Distancing to ACT". International Journal of Behavioral Consultation and Therapy. 1 (2): 77–89. doi:10.1037/h0100736. S2CID 4835864.
  5. ^ Hayes, Steven. "Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)". ContextualPsychology.org.
  6. ^ "State of the ACT Evidence | Association for Contextual Behavioral Science". contextualscience.org. Retrieved December 5, 2016.
  7. ^ Lappalainen, R.; Lehtonen, T.; Skarp, E.; Taubert, E.; Ojanen, M. & Hayes, S.C. (2007). "The impact of CBT and ACT models using psychology trainee therapists: A preliminary controlled effectiveness trial". Behavior Modification. 31 (4): 488–511. doi:10.1177/0145445506298436. PMID 17548542. S2CID 21133628.
  8. ^ Zettle, R.D. & Rains, J.C. (1989). "Group cognitive and contextual therapies in treatment of depression". Journal of Clinical Psychology. 45 (3): 438–45. doi:10.1002/1097-4679(198905)45:3<436::aid-jclp2270450314>3.0.co;2-l. PMID 2745733.
  9. ^ Jacobson, N.S.; Martell, C.R. & Dimidjian, S. (2001). "Behavioral activation treatment for depression: Returning to contextual roots" (PDF). Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice. 8 (3): 255–70. doi:10.1093/clipsy.8.3.255.
  10. ^ Cullen, J.M.; Spates, C.R.; Pagoto, S. & Doran, N. (2006). "Behavioral Activation Treatment for Major Depressive Disorder: A Pilot Investigation". The Behavior Analyst Today. 7 (1): 151–64. doi:10.1037/h0100150. S2CID 41079284.
  11. ^ Spates, C.R.; Pagoto, S. & Kalata, A. (2006). "A Qualitative And Quantitative Review of Behavioral Activation Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder". The Behavior Analyst Today. 7 (4): 508–12. doi:10.1037/h0100089. S2CID 3337916.
  12. ^ Kohlenberg, R.J.; Tsai, M. (1991). Functional Analytic Psychotherapy. New York: Plenum.
  13. ^ Wulfert (2002). "Can Contextual Therapies Save Clinical Behavior Analysis?". The Behavior Analyst Today. 3 (3): 254. doi:10.1037/h0099984.
  14. ^ Cautilli, J.T.; Riley-Tillman, C.; Axelrod, S. & Hineline, P. (2005). "The Role of Verbal Conditioning in Third Generation Behavior Therapy". The Behavior Analyst Today. 6 (2): 138–57. doi:10.1037/h0100152.
  15. ^ Skinner, B.F. (1969). Contingencies of Reinforcement: A Theoretical Analysis. New York: Meredith Corporation.
  16. ^ Cordova, J.; Cautilli, J.D.; Simon, C. & Axelrod-Sabtig, R. (2006). "Behavior Analysis of Forgiveness in Couples Therapy" (PDF). International Journal of Behavioral Consultation and Therapy. 2 (2): 192–213. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.507.7911. doi:10.1037/h0100776.
  17. ^ ABA:I
  18. ^ Twyman, J.S. (2007). "A new era of science and practice in behavior analysis". Association for Behavior Analysis International: Newsletter. 30 (3): 1–4.
  19. ^ Hassert, D.L.; Kelly, A.N.; Pritchard, J.K. & Cautilli, J.D. (2008). "The Licensing of Behavior Analysts: Protecting the profession and the public". Journal of Early and Intensive Behavior Intervention. 5 (2): 8–19. doi:10.1037/h0100415. S2CID 145406830.
  20. ^ Association for Contextual Behavioral Science
  21. ^ "Clinical Behavior Analysis". Behavior Analyst Certification Board. Retrieved September 14, 2022.