According to Terry, how might a behaviorally based therapist challenge Terry?

According to Terry, how might a behaviorally based therapist challenge Terry?

• A. to mentally adjust her perception that not being a doctor is unacceptable
• B. to analyze dreams
• C. to explore family dynamics
• D. to apply psychodynamic interpretation

Answer: (A)

Behavior therapy focuses on changing what people do and the consequences that maintain those behaviors. To challenge the belief that not being a doctor is unacceptable, a behaviorally oriented therapist would work on altering Terry’s actions and the environment around that belief rather than digging into dreams or deep unconscious meanings. They might design behavioral experiments or role-play situations where Terry can act with other professional identities, and then reinforce flexible, more adaptive responses when she recognizes that self-worth isn’t tied to being a doctor. By shaping new patterns of thinking through reinforcement and exposure to alternative roles, the therapist helps reduce the power of the rule “I’m unacceptable unless I’m a doctor.” This approach contrasts with methods that focus on dream analysis, family dynamics, or psychodynamic interpretation, which are not central to behavior therapy.

Behavior therapy focuses on changing what people do and the consequences that maintain those behaviors. To challenge the belief that not being a doctor is unacceptable, a behaviorally oriented therapist would work on altering Terry’s actions and the environment around that belief rather than digging into dreams or deep unconscious meanings. They might design behavioral experiments or role-play situations where Terry can act with other professional identities, and then reinforce flexible, more adaptive responses when she recognizes that self-worth isn’t tied to being a doctor. By shaping new patterns of thinking through reinforcement and exposure to alternative roles, the therapist helps reduce the power of the rule “I’m unacceptable unless I’m a doctor.” This approach contrasts with methods that focus on dream analysis, family dynamics, or psychodynamic interpretation, which are not central to behavior therapy.