Don’t Struggle with Destructive Behavior in Clients
Do the behaviors appear to come out of the blue, with no warning and you’re getting frustrated with the lack of therapeutic progress?
Today I want to share the role of Behavior Analysis tool. Behavioral Analysis (also called chain analysis or change analysis) is a tool used to understand what precedes and follows a behavior, usually called a “problem behavior” or “target behavior.” the more we understand about our behaviors, the more options we have for changing ineffective ones. It should be noted, though, that behavior analysis can be used to understand more about effective behaviors too: what helps to prompt them, and how the results of performing those behaviors differ from the consequences of target behaviors. Understanding more about our effective behaviors can lead us to strengthen them.
Do not be intimidated by behavior analysis. Although it can get quite detailed, the simplest behavior analysis is “A-B-C.” What are the Antecedents leading to the Behavior of interest, and what Consequences follow it? When a sequential, step-by-step picture of the antecedents and consequences of any behavior is established, you can look at each step to problem-solve with skills or actions that will create positive change. These problem-solving steps are called “solution analysis.”
Behavior analysis starts by identifying the specific target behavior. Examples might include drinking or getting high, self-injury, not participating in therapy, missing an appointment, not taking medications, or breaking a program rule. After the behavior is identified, the prompting event, or what triggered or set off the behavior, is described. Then, leading up to the prompting event, it is necessary to investigate what made you more vulnerable to acting on the target behavior in the first place. For example, did you experience poor sleep, miss medications, get into a fight, or leave open opportunities to engage in unskillful behavior?
Once the target behavior, vulnerabilities, and the prompting event are well defined, you can begin to establish the links that bridge the prompting event to the target behavior. Potential links include emotions, thoughts, physical sensations, and other behaviors leading up to the target behavior. This step slows down the action so that you can see everything that comes between a prompting event and a behavior, building awareness of what is often missed unless explored in detail.
The last part of the behavior analysis is identifying the consequences of the target behavior. Consequences involve the impacts of the behavior on you, on other people, and on the environment. Some consequences reinforce the target behavior while most other consequences are detrimental. It is also important to see whether certain consequences become vulnerabilities for future target behaviors. For example, if a consequence was feeling shame, that feeling could make one vulnerable to escaping that painful emotion through a target behavior such as self-injury.
With the sequence from vulnerabilities through consequences established, you can then develop the solution analysis for each step, starting with skills to reduce vulnerabilities and ending with skills for dealing effectively with the consequences, including making appropriate amends with others by repairing mistakes and correcting whatever harm was done.
As you or your client complete a behavior and solution analysis, remember to be nonjudgmental and accountable. The goal of this tool is to help your client apply these skills so they can be more effective next time.
The following free video and worksheet download will show you how you can engage your clients, how you can help them understand what's behind these behaviors, and more importantly, how you can use this awareness to help them to change.
Download DBT Behavior Analysis Worksheet:
YOU can be the therapist finally able to help them break through severe and chronic problems including personality disorders, self-destructive behaviors and more!
By completing Dr. Pederson's Certified Dialectical Behavior Therapy Professional (CDBT) Training available in a convenient online format, designed to fit seamlessly into your busy schedule.
When you complete this intensive training, you'll be prepared to effectively apply proven DBT techniques and tools in your practice in a flexible way, specific to your client population, to improve treatment outcomes and your practice.
Plus, you can end this course and become a Certified Dialectical Behavior Therapy Professional (CDBT) at no additional cost to you!
Lane Pederson, PsyD, LP, C-DBT, has provided Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) training and consultation to over 30,000 professionals in the United States, Australia, South Africa, England, Canada, Mexico, and the Middle East through his training and consultation company, Lane Pederson and Associates, LLC (www.DrLanePederson.com). A real world practitioner, Dr. Pederson co-owns Mental Health Systems, PC (MHS), one of the largest DBT-specialized practices in the United States with four clinic locations in Minnesota (www.mhs-dbt.com). At MHS, Dr. Pederson has developed DBT programs for adolescents, adults, people with dual disorders, and people with developmental disabilities. He has served as clinical and training directors, has directed practice-based clinical outcome studies, and has overseen the care of thousands of clients in need of intensive outpatient services.
Dr. Pederson’s DBT publications include The Expanded Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Training Manual, 2nd Edition: DBT for Self-Help and Individual & Group Treatment Settings (PESI, 2017); Dialectical Behavior Therapy: A Contemporary Guide for Practitioners (Wiley, 2015); Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Training for Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment Settings (PESI, 2013) and The DBT Deck for Clients and Therapists: 101 Mindful Practices to Manage Distress, Regulate Emotions & Build Better Relationships (PESI, 2019).
Notable organizations he has trained for include Walter Reed National Military Hospital, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, the Ontario Psychological Association, the Omid Foundation, and Psychotherapy Networker. He has provided DBT training for community mental health agencies, chemical dependency treatment centers, hospital and residential care settings, and to therapists in forensic settings. Dr. Pederson also co-owns Acacia Therapy and Health Training (www.AcaciaTraining.co.za) in South Africa. Dr. Pederson currently serves on the advisory board for the doctorial counseling program at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and is a peer reviewer for Forensic Scholars Today.
Lane Pederson is not affiliated or associated with Marsha M. Linehan, PhD, ABPP, or her organization.
Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Lane Pederson maintains private practice and is the founder and CEO of Dialectical Behavior Therapy National Certification and Accreditation Association. He receives compensation as a national speaker and receives royalties as a published author. Lane Pederson receives a speaking honorarium, recording, and book royalties from PESI, Inc. He has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Lane Pederson has no relevant non-financial relationships.
