We develop an understanding of the world through various reinforcements.
They include a heartfelt smile, warmth, delicious food, praise, good school grades, and money
And help us get motivated and adjust to society.
Some people called this process as “education.”
Primary Symptoms
Autism Spectrum Disorder / Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder / Tic Disorder / Other Behavioral Disorders
Scientific Evidence & Benefits
Behavior therapy started with the scholarly study of behaviorism by eminent psychologists like Dr. Watson and Dr. Skinner in the early 1900s. The theoretical framework of behavior therapy was developed upon Pavlov and Thorndike’s classic and operant conditioning studies and Bandura’s social learning theory.
It assists clients to learn alternative skills, improve their communication skills, change their maladaptive habits, and facilitate learning to cope with emotional conflicts. Its purpose is not to change overt behaviors forcefully; rather, it is a treatment that utilizes reinforcements and behavior shaping methods as well as other behavioral approaches to change the client’s cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning.
In the late 1950s, behavior therapy started to gain recognition due to its scientific and systematic approach, and in 1995, the American Psychological Association ascertained that it is more effective than other treatment methods in treating various psychological problems based on their control study of evidence-based psychotherapy treatments (Task Force on Promotion & Dissemination of Psychological Procedures, 1995).
Control studies are known to be objective research procedures, and psychotherapy treatments that are proved to be scientific through such control studies are then recognized as evidence-based treatments. Behavior therapy throughout the late 20th century has been studied continually and has changed the paradigm of psychotherapy.
Behavior therapy is about clinically utilizing good reinforcements to change negative behaviors.
It is not about using punishment or forceful pressure;
It is an effective therapeutic paradigm that pursues positive changes based on empathy and support.
Child & Adolescent Behavioral Treatment
To modify a child and adolescent’s behavior, it is important to understand the principle of causality, analyze the causal relationship between the physical/social environment and the problem behavior, and the functional relationship the problem behavior has with the environment.
Through such behavioral analysis, clinicians develop and implement strategies to modify the problem behaviors. Clinicians identify and evaluate problem behaviors with behavioral analysis, reinforcement, extinction, distinct learning, and contingency principle and then apply behavioral modeling, role-playing, systematic desensitization, and reinforcing schedules to reinforce adaptive behaviors.
At our clinic, we develop and implement behavior therapy strategies and procedures to treat adolescents’ psychological and behavioral problems with behavior therapy. Our psycho-educational treatment program (Active Learning Program) improves not only psychological and behavioral issues but also language and learning related issues for children with language delay, Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, tic disorder, or other anxiety-related disorders.
Behavior therapy for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Behavior treatment for treating child and adolescent ADHD symptoms first thoroughly analyzes behavioral habits, parenting style, and the environment that exacerbates the symptoms. Clinicians develop strategies with the initial analyses by applying behavior principles and changing the child or adolescent’s behaviors effectively.
In the middle of treatment, children and adolescents will learn and practice various cognitive behavioral skills to manage their ADHD symptoms, while the parents will learn and be reinforced in using effective parenting styles. In addition, clinicians implement behavioral modification procedures to solve problems situations much more effectively.
The children and adolescents’ home behaviors should be reinforced by providing clear expectation structure and letting them get positive feedback that leads to improved self-control abilities. To improve adjustment in school, children and adolescents will learn strategies to improve their time management and getting ready to go to school in the morning. They also practice strategies that are implemented to improve their habit of completing homework on time, not forgetting or losing things, and complete long-term projects or exams.
In addition, clinicians will assist children and adolescents in acquiring skills to improve their attention and be more aware of their impulses which will eventually lead to improved attentiveness and reduced carelessness. Children and adolescents will also learn to acquire social skills and emotion regulation skills necessary in social relationships so that the skills will help them create positive self-esteem.
“My child’s condition has not improved. We have tried everything we can and visited many institutions for help but there were not much change and progress."
Since 2003, distressed parents and international school professionals have referred their children who suffer from Autism Spectrum Disorder. The parents would share similar concerns during their first visit to our clinic.
Behavior Therapy & Behavioral Analysis for Autism Spectrum Disorder
It has been proven with various research studies that behavior therapy with behavioral analysis principles are effective in treating Autism Spectrum Disorder. Since 2003 our clinical team have been providing behavioral treatment services by developing individualized behavior strategies with thorough study and research of behaviors and cognitive/emotional patterns of ASD children.
Behavioral Therapy that utilizes the procedures of behavioral analysis is the most scientific and effective treatment method that facilitates children’s behavioral and linguistic development, emotional stability, academic knowledge acquisition, adjustment to social situations etc. It also prevents children from developing secondary symptoms such as internalizing symptoms, destructive behaviors, and/or ADHD-like symptoms.
The first step of treating Autism Spectrum Disorder with behavioral analysis and behavior therapy is for the professionals to monitor the children and adolescents’ behavior and the parents/guardian’s emotional, linguistic, behavioral, and environmental interaction style with their child.
After gathering information and data, the clinicians will analyze the problem behaviors with behavior analysis and specify the target behaviors by identifying the antecedents, consequences, and the behaviors’ functional relationship with the child’s environment.
The clinicians then develop behavioral strategies and parenting skill strategies that help the child improve their target behaviors and reduce their problematic behaviors. These strategies will be implemented in clinical and psycho-educational sessions.
After the treatment session, results such as whether there have been improvements in the target behaviors will be analyzed and evaluated on a regular basis. Our professional psychotherapy treatment for treating Autism Spectrum Disorder provides individualized clinical services with scientific analyses and evaluation; and help children acquire step-by-step behavior strategies.
Since 2003 the Center for International Psychological Services has been treating children with Autism Spectrum Disorder so that they can overcome their language, emotional/behavioral, social, and learning-related delays by collaborating with parents/guardians and also with international schools. Based on our clinical data, if the children and their parents follow the clinician’s treatment recommendation, most children can lead a life just like other children and adolescents at the final phase of treatment.
We started behavior treatment for treating Autism Spectrum Disorder in 2003.
We have implemented the principles of behavioral modification and behavioral analysis that meets the need of English speaking ex-patriate community as well as Korean speaking community.
We have observed small miracles even in situations where it was previously thought to be impossible to treat the behaviors and symptoms.
Behavior treatment for treating language development delays, language transfer issues, and learning difficulties
Children and adolescents who show language delay, language transfer issue or specific learning disorder often have motivational issues, lack of basic learning capacity, cognitive and behavioral distractions, and/or other psychological, behavioral, and cognitive issues. Many kids who are struggling with those issues have difficulties understanding school materials and have difficulties completing their homework.
Behavior therapy helps them analyze their learning-related habits and attitudes as well as lack of motivation and modify their behaviors. Clinicians put in effort in their research to develop behavioral strategies that are suitable for the individual child to target his/her problem behaviors.
These behavioral strategies are crucial therapeutic elements to improve the child’s clinical conditions. The same behavior modification strategies will be transferred to our 1:1 psycho-educational session that help them develop their English language acquisition and other learning skills.
Behavior treatment for Tic disorder
Behavior treatment is effective for treating tic disorder or Tourette disorder and it is an adequate treatment that meets the major treatment standards as suggested by the American Psychological Association (APA). Function-based assessment will be provided to identify situations or incidents that exacerbate tic symptoms.
The clinicians will identify factors that are related to the tic symptoms and then teach the skills to manage the tic symptoms such as habit-reverse training, awareness training, competing response training, and relaxation training. For the child, parents are expected to participate in treatment to observe symptoms and learn how to reinforce positive behaviors.
With treatment strategy development and research of our clinicians,
Center for International Psychological Services is a place to create small miracles for change.
Behavior treatment consultation for parents and guardians
It is very important for parents to understand the behavioral principle in depth to effectively treat children and adolescents’ behavior problems. Outside of the clinical setting, parents and guardians should assist their child to modify their behaviors by applying learned effective parenting behaviors.
Our treatment office is always open for parents and guardians to participate in our treatment sessions at any time to learn our clinicians’ behavioral approach through modeling so that they can apply those skills at home. Behavior consultation, education, and parents’ observations are essential part of successful treatment; that is why we provide these open opportunities to our parents and guardians.
