How Is Behavior Therapy Different Than Psychoanalysis?

Mental and emotional problems vary, as do the approaches used to treat them. In the field of psychology, numerous forms of therapy are used to relieve the distress of people experiencing mental and emotional pain. These forms of therapy fit into a few general categories. Continue reading to learn more about the difference between behavior therapy and psychoanalysis.

What is behavior therapy?

Some modern behavioral psychotherapy is rooted in learning theory and the idea that behaviors, including harmful ones like bullying, are learned responses shaped by reinforcement. 

Core principles of behavior therapy

Some of the core principles of behavior therapy include: 

• Behavior is learned, and with support, what is learned can be unlearned.
• The present matters more than the past. While the past is relevant, it is not the primary target in behavior therapy. 
• Thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected, and unhealthy thinking patterns can drive emotional distress and problematic behavior.
• Reinforcement shapes behavior. When behaviors are met with positive reinforcement, they tend to continue. When they are not reinforced, they tend to weaken. 
• Skills can be taught. 
• Change is observable and measurable.

Common techniques used in behavior therapy

Behavioral therapy can be used to address several behaviors and concerns. Below, we take a closer look at the common techniques used in this treatment approach and the conditions it may treat. 

Exposure, skills training, habit reversal, behavioral activation.

Some specific techniques that may be used to bring about behavioral changes in this type of treatment can include: 

• Behavioral activation, which uses structured activities to improve mood
• Habit reversal training for compulsive behavior
• Skills training to learn tools for communication and emotional regulation
• Flooding, in which the client faces their fear at a maximum level of intensity for an extended period of time
• Systematic desensitization, in which a feared stimulus is gradually introduced to reduce fear and avoidance behaviors

Conditions commonly treated with behavior therapy

Some conditions that may be treated with behavior therapy include: 

• Anxiety disorders
• Phobias
• Compulsive behaviors
• Stress-related challenges

What approach to treatment is used may depend on individual circumstances and the specific mental health condition being addressed, but in some cases, behavior therapy may be a first-line treatment.

What is psychoanalysis?

Psychoanalysis, or Freudian therapy, originated with Sigmund Freud, an Austrian neurologist who began his work in the 1890s. It consists of theories and therapeutic methods grounded in the belief that people have thoughts, feelings, memories, and unconscious desires that are not directly available. The purpose of psychoanalytic therapy is to bring unconscious content to consciousness through a cathartic or transformational healing experience.

During traditional psychoanalysis, just like in object relations therapy, a trained psychoanalyst (or psychoanalytic therapist) asks the patient to lie on a couch. The analyst sits outside the patient’s field of vision. The client talks about their dreams, fantasies, and childhood experiences while the analyst takes notes. Analysts use techniques such as free association and dream analysis to explore past traumas, some of which are believed to date back to childhood memories repressed and hidden from the patient’s conscious mind.

Core principles of psychoanalytic therapy

The core principles of psychoanalytic therapy can be summed up as follows:

• The unconscious mind is believed to largely determine human behavior.
• Personality is influenced by early childhood events (between the ages of one and five).
• The unconscious is made conscious through catharsis, enabling one to address underlying issues.
• Unconscious experiences can be brought to consciousness through the exploration of dreams.
• Psychoanalysis delves into how people use defense mechanisms to defend themselves from the awareness of unconscious memories and desires.
• Mental breakdown may occur when there is a conflict between the conscious and unconscious mind.

Techniques used in psychoanalysis

Some specific techniques that may be used in psychoanalysis include: 

• Free association
• Dream analysis
• Inkblot tests
• Transference work

Emotional challenges addressed in psychoanalysis

Psychoanalysis can be well-suited to treat deep, long-standing emotional struggles, including those that have been resistant to other forms of treatment. Common conditions and emotional difficulties addressed may include: 

• Unresolved emotional trauma
• Persistent emotional difficulties, including chronic depression, anxiety, and low self-worth
• Patterns of self-sabotage or emotional numbness
• Difficulty forming secure attachments
• Grief, shame, and identity-related challenges
• Difficulty regulating emotions or maintaining stable relationships

Key differences between behavior therapy and psychoanalysis

Like all forms of therapy, behavior therapy and psychoanalysis have the goals of reducing psychological symptoms and improving quality of life. In addition, the success of both may be determined more by the strength of the client-therapist relationship than by the methods used. However, there are some critical differences between behavior therapy and psychoanalysis.

Focus on present behavior vs unconscious processes

Behavior therapy professionals believe that what causes a person’s emotional or mental instability is the negative thought patterns and ideas they have in the present. They are not focused on a person’s past experiences.

Psychoanalysts have different opinions. They believe that the repressed emotions in the unconscious mind cause mental health relapse. According to them, if you want a lasting solution to emotional breakdown or mental instability, you have to bring your unconscious mind to light.

Time commitment and structure

One key difference between behavior therapy and psychoanalysis is the time frame for successful treatment. Patients in psychoanalysis for their mental health journey often see their analyst two or more times a week for multiple years. Behavior therapies are much briefer, typically lasting 10 to 20 weeks.

Therapist role and client involvement

A psychoanalyst takes a different approach to solving clients’ problems than a behaviorist. Psychoanalytic sessions are largely led by the patient’s train of thought. The analyst may speak very little and take notes while the patient-free associates. The goal is for the patient to experience repressed thoughts, feelings, and memories, thereby gaining increased awareness and insight into their past and releasing associated pain. Behaviorists, on the other hand, are concerned with what can be measured or quantified, and they carefully direct therapy sessions to meet specific goals.

Similarities between behavior therapy and psychoanalysis

Even though behavior therapy and psychoanalysis differ in their focus and methods, they do have some things in common. Both aim to help clients improve overall well-being through a strong therapeutic relationship, with practitioners guiding them toward a more fulfilling life. Both approaches are also established on the idea that people are capable of change and that past experiences and current challenges do not have to continue to impact the future.

How to choose the right therapy approach

Therapy is generally not one-size-fits-all; the approach that may work for you can depend on many factors, including your past experiences, current challenges, and what you are looking to accomplish. 

Matching therapy to your needs and goals

In most cases, individuals seeking support will work with their mental health provider to determine what type of treatment may be appropriate. Sometimes, a specific mental health condition can point toward a certain treatment, but personal preferences can matter, too. Some people may prefer treatment that focuses more on learning tools to manage present challenges, while others may prefer therapy that explores their past and deeper emotional patterns. In some cases, a combination approach that focuses on developing healthier coping mechanisms and increasing awareness of their thoughts and feelings may be suitable.

If you are considering getting support, talk to your therapist about what approach to treatment may be right for you.

How therapy supports long-term well-being

With the right support, skills, and insights, the effects of therapy can stay with a person long after sessions end. In the long term, therapy can impact how people respond to stress, relate to others, and care for their overall well-being as they move forward in their lives.

The following are some of the skills that may be learned in therapy:

• Self-awareness, which can help with identifying unhelpful patterns early and interrupt unhelpful cycles before they repeat
• Coping skills to manage stress and challenging circumstances in everyday life
• Emotional resilience that enables people to face challenging emotions without being defined by them

The benefits of mental health treatment through online therapy

CBT with a licensed therapist is a first-line treatment for conditions from phobias to PTSD. CBT helps people reframe negative thoughts into positive ones; this reframing leads to more positive emotions and healthier behaviors as well. And research shows that online CBT is an effective alternative to in-person treatment. For example, one study found that the two treatment approaches were equally effective for treating various conditions, including social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and some specific phobias.  

Online cognitive behavioral therapy with a licensed mental health therapist

Behavioral therapy, like CBT, focuses on using proven techniques with a licensed therapist to work on anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. But when you’re experiencing symptoms like fatigue and fear, it can be hard to find the motivation to leave home. This is where online therapy comes in. There’s no need to sit in traffic or take time out of your busy workday to drive to your appointment. Instead, you can speak with your licensed therapist from wherever you have an internet connection. BetterHelp’s therapists have used CBT to help numerous people with a variety of challenges that are affecting their mental health.