The Difference Between Behavioral Therapy & Psychotherapy

Figuring out what kind of therapy is the best fit for your child can be intimidating if you don’t know where to start. With so many different complicated terms and types of therapy, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. This quick guide will walk you through the basics of two common forms of therapy: behavioral therapy and psychotherapy. 

Psychotherapy

When you ask someone to describe what general therapy is, they often picture someone laying on a couch, talking to a professional about their problems. It’s what we see on TV and in movies, but the general idea is the same. Psychotherapy is “talk therapy,” where a patient talks to a trained mental health expert to gain a better understanding of themselves, whatever issues they are facing, and how they can better handle them. Psychotherapy is basically an umbrella term for treatment that can include individual talk therapy, families, couples, and more. 

Behavioral Therapy

Behavioral therapy also called Cognitive Behavior Therapy in professional settings (CBT), is similar to psychotherapy. The big difference is that behavioral therapy aims to make direct connections between behaviors and solutions. Behavioral therapy takes an issue, such as anxiety or depression, and uses its sessions to build concrete behavioral changes for patients to assist with these issues. Its focus is on the direct connection between what we think and feel, and what we actually do. 

An example of behavior therapy is creating a routine for when a patient feels overwhelmed. This might look like going into their bedroom and grabbing their favorite toy, or coming up with counting exercises when they feel upset. 

Treatments

Both psychotherapy and behavioral therapy can be effective in treating anxiety, depression, trauma, and many other mental health issues. While both types of therapy have open communication, behavioral therapy is more focused on practical behaviors to implement as opposed to simply talking through issues.

The Highest Quality Therapy

Our vision at Blossom Children’s Center is for every child and family in the special needs community to be empowered on their journey in leading a fulfilled life. By including methods such as ABA Therapy, Speech therapy, and Cognitive Behavior Therapy, we’ve created a warm and welcoming environment that kids and staff love. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your child blossom!