Behavioral therapy is a term that describes a broad range of techniques used to change maladaptive behaviors. The goal is to reinforce desirable behaviors and eliminate unwanted ones. Behavioral therapy is rooted in the principles of behaviorism, a school of thought focused on the idea that we learn from our environment. This approach emerged during the early part of the 20th-century and became a dominant force in the field for many years. Edward Thorndike was one of the first to refer to the idea of modifying behavior.

Behavioral therapy is simply defined as changing what you do with guidance from a therapist. The reason you'd want to do this is because a single behavior or groups of behaviors have become problematic and stressful. The therapist will work with the client to change or modify these behaviors in a step-by-step process by using scientifically valid techniques.