Inside Behavior Analysis
Volume 1 | 2009 | Number 1
Behavioral Coaching and Counseling
By Halina Dziewolska
Behaviorism revolutionized the field of counseling in the 1960s and 1970s (Krumboltz & Thoresen, 1969; Hosford, 1969). As a philosophy, behaviorism brought a method of inquiry that moved counselors from speculation of processes for change to research-based analysis of change processes. As a science, behavioral counseling brought the power of principles discovered by the experimental analysis of behavior to solving real world, real people problems. This methodological shift brought a counseling science to the forefront, which was immediately productive in developing a series of research articles on counseling process and outcome (i.e., Ince, 1968; Hansen, Niland, and Zani, 1969; Kramer, 1968; Krumboltz & Thoresen, 1964; Krumboltz, Varenhorst & Thoresen, 1967; Thoresen & Krumboltz, 1967; Thoresen & Krumboltz, 1968; Williams & Blanton, 1968 ). The evidence base developed from these early counseling studies of reinforcement in the therapeutic relationship have been wide and serves as one element of the core research base of clinical treatments such as Kohelnberg and Tsai's (1991) Functional Analytic Psychotherapy Approach.
Behaviorism not only affected individual counseling, but also the study of couples. From the earliest applications to operant and social learning principles to assessing couples much has been learned (Birchler, Weiss, Vincent, 1975; Vincent, Weiss, Birchler, 1975; Wegener, Revenstorf, Hahlweg, Schindler, 1979; Williams, 1979; Willls, Weiss, Patterson, 1974 ) and interventions emerged for treatment of those couples (e.g., Stuart, 1969). As a line of thinking, conceptualizing, and intervening for couples problems, behaviorism continues today (Cordova, 2003; Cordova, 2001; Cordova, Cautilli, Simon, Axelrod-Sabag, 2006; Cordova & Scott, 2001; Jacobson & Christensen, 1998; Jacobson & Follette, 1985; Jacobson, Follette, & Pagel, 1986).
This special interest group exists to preserve and further define the above legacy. In addition, this special interest group will focus on another field that is quickly emerging: behavioral coaching. While coaching as an intervention has long been studied in behavioral research, it is only recently that attempts have been made to define and professionalize the field. This SIG sees defining behavioral coaching from a behavior analytic perspective as one of its major goals.
At this year’s convention, we had elections and choose the leadership for the SIG. We spent time reaffirming the SIG's basic interests and political focus. As counselors pursue Medicare insurance, we believe behavioral counselors should support these attempts and highlight the need to separate those who practice with research-based techniques and those who do not. This is particularly important for working with the elderly.
References
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Cordova, J., Cautilli, J.D., Simon, C., & Axelrod-Sabag, R.(2006). Behavior analysis of forgiveness in couples therapy. International Journal of Behavioral Consultation and Therapy, 7(2), 192-207. www.behavior-analyst-online.org
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