Behavioral therapy is a common practice in Canada due to its many benefits to people with mental health challenges. It has helped many people recover from varied circumstances and mental state that could have destroyed their lives.
This guide will explore what behavioral therapy entails and what it takes to pursue a career in such a discipline. Here you will learn about the meaning and types of behavioral therapy, the responsibilities of a behavioral therapist, salary expectations in Canada, who needs such treatment, and the skills and certifications you need to become a behavioral therapist in Canada.
We will also discuss how best to learn psychology to aid your career as a behavioral therapist, so stay put and enjoy every piece of information contained here.
What is Behavioral Therapy?
Behavioral therapy is a form of therapy that describes a broad range of techniques used to identify and change potentially self-destructive, maladaptive, and unhealthy behaviors. The goal is to develop and reinforce positive and desirable behaviors while eliminating unwanted ones.
This therapy is based on the idea and fact that behaviors can be learned and can also be changed. In addition, unlike other forms of treatment that can be found on insight, behavioral therapy is strictly action based because the behavior is the problem and the focus is to teach people new behaviors.
Who Can Benefit From Behavioral Therapy?
Behavioral therapy can help a wide range of people, from children to adults, and it can benefit both genders in many ways. Here are some of the disorders that can be corrected with behavioral therapy.
- Anxiety
- Excessive anger
- Depression
- Panic disorders
- Bipolar
- Eating disorder
- Phobias of different kinds
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Substance use disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Self-harming behavioral disorder
What Are the Types of Behavioral Therapy?
There are several behavioral therapies practiced in Canada. The type recommended for different patients can depend on factors like the type of condition being treated and the severity of the symptoms experienced by the patient.
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
This is the most popular type of behavioral therapy. It is a combination of behavioral therapy, which is focused on patterns of action, and cognitive therapy, which is based on patterns of thought. So it is the study of the problematic beliefs behind certain behaviors.
Cognitive behavioral therapy aims to help people develop thinking and behavioral patterns that can give them better life quality in the long run.
Cognitive Behavioral Play Therapy
Behavior disorders and mental health conditions in children are treated differently from that of adults. That is why cognitive behavioral play therapy was developed. Here a therapist can watch a child play and assess what the child can and cannot express.
In most cases, the child can be asked to choose their toys and be allowed to play freely or to draw a picture, create scenes in a sandbox, and so on. So the therapist can carefully watch the child and detect his behavioral patterns.
As the therapist uses play to assess, prevent and treat psychological behaviors, they can also teach the parents to use the same technique to improve communication with their kids.
Find out how social work relates to behavioral psychology.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Acceptance and commitment therapy is another very effective behavioral therapy involving an analysis performed by a mental health clinician. Compared to CBT, the ACT uses a unique approach based on relational frame theory focused on human language and cognitive processes.
This behavioral therapy teaches people mindfulness and acceptance, intending to enhance psychological flexibility. Behavior change and commitment methods are used to effect this therapy on patients.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
DBT was created to treat borderline personality disorder (BPD). This disorder is an irregular behavior characterized by depression, suicidal thoughts, unstable personal relationships, and many other symptoms.
However, dialectical behavioral therapy is also helpful for other behavioral disorders other than BPD. It consists of four elements: distress tolerance, core mindfulness, emotional regulation, and Interpersonal effectiveness, which can improve the relationship with others.
People who undergo DBT are usually taught new skills and coping mechanisms to lead happier and healthier lives.
Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT)
REBT is focused on identifying self-destructive and negative thoughts or emotions and helping people recover from them. The therapy is aimed at assisting people to actively change their negative feelings and thoughts and replace them with more realistic and rational ones.
Exposure Theory
Some people have intense fear or phobia for certain things, probably because of what they have experienced or heard about. However, their ideas of things like that can be wrong, but the fear remains constant. Therefore, exposure therapy utilizes techniques to help people overcome their fear of harmless situations and objects.
The therapy is done by exposing the patient to the source of their fears and helping them practice relaxing strategies, and with time, they will no longer be afraid of such situations or objects.
How Can I Become a Behavioral Therapist in Canada?
Get a Bachelor's Degree
The first step to becoming a behavior therapist is applying for a four-year bachelor's degree program in psychology, social work, counseling, or other related fields. This is where you will build your foundation in this profession, and upon completing your undergraduate degree, you may apply for a master's program.
Gain Relevant Work Experience
In this field, practical experience is imperative and highly sought after by many employers in Canada. You can gain experience by working with a specific population, such as adults struggling with substance abuse and children with autism, or in an applicable setting like schools or hospitals.
It is also possible to gain this work experience through internships during your bachelor's or master's degree.
Get a Master's Degree
A bachelor's degree may not be sufficient to give you your desired position in your profession, so you must further your education and pursue a master's degree. You can get this degree in psychology, social work, counseling, and related fields.
Pursue a Doctoral Degree
While a master's degree is fantastic for this profession, some behavioral therapists pursue an advanced degree to progress faster in their careers, which is especially important if you plan to do research in an academic setting.
Pursue Your Professional Certifications
Regardless of your degrees, you can pursue many different certifications as a behavioral therapist, and some employers require them to demonstrate your competency in specific behavioral treatment models.
Earn Clinical Licensure
Another vital thing you need to succeed as a behavioral therapist in Canada is to get licensed. To work in private or even public organizations, behavioral therapists must be licensed as clinical social workers.
However, the specific requirements for this license in Canada will vary from province to province. In addition, you may be required to pass particular exams to ascertain your field expertise before getting a permit. This will demonstrate that you are qualified to practice as a behavioral therapist in Canada.
Seek to Continue Your Education
To stay up to date with professional trends and remain licensed as a behavioral therapist in Canada, you should complete a certain number of education hours every year, and this may include short courses and seminars. Eventually, you could become a psychology professor.
What Skills do I Need to Excel as a Behavioral Therapist?
Aside from the degrees and certifications, it would be best if you practiced as a behavioral therapist in Canada. Having some vital skills to help you make the most of your career, provide better services to clients and stand out in the competitive job market is also essential. Some of the skills are listed below.
- Empathy
- Good communication skills and emotional intelligence
- Listening skills
- Critical thinking
- Open-mindedness
- Time management and organizational skills
- Social skills
- Business management
- Boundary setting
Salary Expectations of Behavioral Therapists in Canada
The national average salary of a behavioral therapist in Canada is 91,147 CAD. So, if you are wondering whether Canadian behavioral therapists are well paid, now you know that compared to other psychologists and therapists, behavioral therapists are spent well. However, this salary can vary from province to province, and it also depends on factors like education and level of experience.
Best Strategy for Psychology Learning in Canada
Behavioral therapy has been of great help to many adults and children, and the demand for these experts will continue to rise. If you are interested in becoming a behavioral therapist in Canada, the best way to start and ensure you are on the right track is by learning from a coach on Superprof.
On the platform, you will find numerous tutors who are also trained psychologists that can help you on your journey to becoming a behavioral therapist, so you don't have to go through the challenges of not knowing what to learn, preparing for tests and exams alone and trying to figure out assignments all by yourself.
Your Superprof tutor can teach you in person or online and give you all the assistance you need for a successful career as a behavioral therapist.
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