Common Behavioral Therapies Fact Sheet

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  Common Behavioral Therapies Fact Sheet

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Assertive Community Treatment (ACT)

Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) is a multidisciplinary, individualized, and comprehensive approach that provides 24/7 support.9 The goal of ACT is to decrease symptoms, prevent relapse, and improve functioning and independence.

Commonly used to treat9
  • Depression
  • Schizophrenia
  • Substance use disorders
  • Other forms of serious mental illness (SMI)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a form of talk therapy that focuses on the relationships between an individual’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.1 The goal of CBT is to identify unhealthy thought patterns and to develop constructive thought patterns.

Commonly used to treat2
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Depression
  • Eating disorders
  • Substance use disorders
  • Other forms of serious mental illness (SMI)

Contingency Management (CM)

Contingency Management (CM) uses rewards (known as reinforcers) to support behavior change.3 The treatment is based on the principal of positive reinforcement.

Commonly used to treat3
  • Substance use disorders

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is a form or talk therapy that focuses on promoting a balance between acceptance and change.1 DBT shares some similarities with CBT, but the goal of DBT is validation and acceptance.

Commonly used to treat1
  • Borderline personality disorder
  • People with multiple mental health conditions

Family Therapy

Family therapy emphasizes improving interactions within a family unit by reducing stress and conflict.4 The goal of family therapy is to improve communication and problem-solving.

Commonly used to treat4
  • Substance use disorders
  • Schizophrenia
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Eating disorders

Group therapy

Group therapy is when one or more therapists work with a group of people to target a specific concern.5 The group format can help create a support network and highlight different perspectives.

Commonly used to treat5
  • Substance use disorders
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Other mental health concerns

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) uses a combination of behavioral therapies and medications to work towards recovery from specific substance use disorders.6 MAT seeks to provide an individualized program to support a person’s needs and help prevent overdose.

Commonly used to treat6
  • Alcohol use disorder
  • Opioid use disorder

Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET)

Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) focuses on improving internal motivation to change and may be helpful when a person is either ambivalent or has low motivation to change.7 MET is a type of Motivational Interviewing (MI) and is sometimes combined with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

Commonly used to treat7
  • Substance use disorders

Motivational Interviewing (MI)

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is person-centered and emphasizes having the person identify their own motivations or reasons to change, rather than the therapist.7 MI tends to range from 1 to 4 sessions in length.

Commonly used to treat7
  • Substance use disorders

Therapeutic Communities (TCS)

Therapeutic Communities (TCS) are a type of long-term residential treatment that are recovery oriented.8 TCs emphasize community to help support individual level change.

Often used to treat8
  • Substance use disorders

References

  1. Psychotherapy
  2. What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
  3. Contingency management: what it is and why psychiatrists should want to use it
  4. Family Interventions: Basic Principles and Techniques
  5. Psychotherapy: Understanding group therapy
  6. Medications for Substance Use Disorders
  7. Motivational Interviewing, Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET), and MET plus CBT for Mixed Substance Abuse/Dependence
  8. Therapeutic Communities Research Report
  9. Assertive Community Treatment (ACT)

Acknowledgments

This fact sheet was developed by the Oregon State University Coast to Forest team, a collaboration of the College of Health, OSU Center for Health Innovation and OSU Extension Service Family & Community Health program. We would like to thank the H 310 Health Field Experience students for their contributions.

For more information and to explore local resources, check out the Coast to Forest County-Specific Resource Guides.