| Abstract: | Behavior Modification has gone a long way since its start as a reaction to the traditional psychiatric and psychotherapeutic methods. It is no longer a monolithic term, as it includes a variety of theoretical and conceptual positions, different methodological approaches and many therapeutic techniques.It is the aim of this paper to demonstrate that due to the changes behaviorism has gone through, it is no longer an alien discipline to psychoanalysis as it has been in the early days of the movement. Therefore, an integration between the two approaches is currently possible in a relatively smooth and conflict- free manner.There are several varieties of integration between the two approaches. The suggested combination is an elaboration of Kaplan's method, which is behaviorally-oriented, but utilizes psychoanalytic concepts and techniques pragmatically at times when the behavioristic treatment program has come to a stalemate because of the patient's resistances. This approach seems to be especially coherent and efficient;it has proven to be successful in avoiding the pitfalls which were the cause of skepticism with respect to the integration of the two types of treatment — behavior therapy and psychodynamic therapy.Vignettes from behavioral-cognitive treatment of test anxiety and combat reaction (post-traumatic stress disorder) will be presented in order to demonstrate the suggested method. |
