Behavioural therapy is a family of structured psychotherapies founded on learning theory, which holds that maladaptive behaviours are acquired and maintained through conditioning and can therefore be modified by altering their antecedents and consequences. It draws on the principles of classical and operant conditio…
Behavioural therapy is a family of structured psychotherapies founded on learning theory, which holds that maladaptive behaviours are acquired and maintained through conditioning and can therefore be modified by altering their antecedents and consequences. It draws on the principles of classical and operant conditioning, using techniques such as reinforcement, exposure, systematic desensitisation, behavioural activation, and skills training to change observable behaviour and, in its cognitive-behavioural extensions, the thoughts that accompany it. The approach is applied across a wide range of conditions, including anxiety and phobias, depression, sleep disorders, and developmental and attentional difficulties. Within this scope, cognitive-behavioural methods are used to treat insomnia through brief structured workshops, to support children and young people with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder by building protective factors across academic, interpersonal, and cognitive domains, and to deliver psychoeducation that strengthens coping in families affected by mental health difficulties. Combined behavioural and standard care is also examined in patients facing depression alongside physical illness and pain. Significance lies in its empirical grounding, measurable goals, and adaptability to diverse populations and settings. Principal sub-areas include exposure-based therapy, operant and contingency-management methods, behavioural activation, cognitive-behavioural therapy, and applied behaviour-change interventions, each evaluated through defined behavioural outcomes and treatment-effectiveness research.
7 peer-reviewed articles, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.
The 7 articles above have been cited 58 times in the scholarly literature. Citation data via OpenAlex and Crossref, updated Jun 2026.
A sample of recent works citing this journal's research on Behavioural Therapy, linking to each citing work.