Final Paper PY 570
Sevena McClain
University of West Alabama
March 6, 2015

Abstract
Behavior problems within our youth have become a major problem in today’s society. In one (1) out of every three (3) families there is at least one (1) family that suffers more than others with this problem. There is a demand for help at making a difference in our at-risk adolescents and individuals who are willing to provide services for those that are suffering with behavior problems. The goal is to modify a model that can assist them in what society needs to help prevent at-risk adolescents from making repeated mistakes through a therapeutic process. There are many homes and schools that are in an uproar, because nothing is being done to help families that cannot afford the proper therapy they need to help them. The detention centers are over crowed as well as the prisons. With this being said, this paper will provide the information needed to assist with at-risk adolescents behavior problems that are causing them to be labeled at such an early age.

The Behavior Approach with at-risk teens Upon graduation from the University of West Alabama, The author plan to continue her education and obtain her doctorate degree in counseling. After she succeed in her educational endeavors and work in her field of studies to obtain skills and knowledge, she would like become an entrepreneur. She has always dreamed of being her own boss. She plans to open a group home for troubled female adolescents. Starting a group home can be a rewarding way to make a living. With a group home, she has a chance to make a real difference in the lives of children who are at-risk. In return of opening a group home, she will receive love from her residents and the satisfaction that she made a positive difference in their lives. She feels that God has placed her and removed her from situations to allow me to be a blessing to others. Helping female adolescents is my calling and she plan to take all the necessary steps at becoming successful not only for herself, but her family as well.
Summary of Behavior Approach with at-risk teens Corey (2009) indicated that, modern behavior therapy is a scientific view of human behavior that implies a system structure to counseling. He also stated that humans are a product of their social cultural conditioning, which means that they are product of their environment. Helping at-risk teens form some type of control debilitates behavior allowing them to have freedom. The key concept the author of this paper is going to focus on is the behavior theory of planned behavior. The goals of therapy is to locate what issues that are causing the behavior problems with our at-risk adolescents and implement a new way to demonstrate how they really feel other than acting out. Creating a therapeutic relationship with the clients is very important. According to the text a positive therapeutic relationship can contribute significantly to behavior changes, therefore, gaining the clients trust should be the first priority. The therapeutic process depends solely on the client and how effective they are with completing the objectives that were created for them. Once the objectives are complete, interventions are implemented based on feedback and response for pursuing the client’s goal and what works best for them.
Key Concepts The authors preferred theoretical approach would be to implement ways to deter disruptive behavior patterns with at-risk adolescents. Focusing on planned behavior allows the at-risk adolescents and the counselor the opportunity to share and retain systematic and structural approach to counseling. It also allows the therapist to teach concrete skills and assessments through instructions and modeling. Once the behavior theoretical approach has been implementing and sought, the client will increase their sense of freedom allowing outsiders to intervene and help them if they are willing to accept.
Goals of Therapy The author’s intentional goal of therapy is to change the behavior pattern. Reaching set goals allows the adolescents to see that change can happen if they are willing to cooperate with their counselor. Majority of the disturbing behavior implemented by the adolescent are planned, because of the need for wanting attention. In most cases, an assessment is given to determine their actions and needs to be targeted for change. Once the behavior theory has been predicted, it becomes easier to identify and measure the clients’ interest as to what works for them in setting and reaching their goals of therapy (Sheeran, 2002).
Therapeutic Relationship
According to the text client therapist relationships is a foundation on which therapeutic strategies are implemented to help clients change the direction they feel necessary. In the author’s preferred theoretical approach of behavior developing a relationship with her clients is extensively important. Building trust and developing and opening relationship exemplifies to the client that the counselor is there to help them and has an opening ear to understanding the problem or issues that causing the behavior problems.
Therapeutic Process According to the text in order for the process to be successful, selecting the goals, translating them into targeted behaviors, self monitoring the goals, working out a plan for change to implemented and evaluating an action plan are the primary steps in the process of seeing a positive outcome within the behavior patterns for at-risk adolescents. The author will develop some type for forum with the at-risk youth that will demonstrate the importance of sharing their issues or problems with their peers that are in the same situation they are facing. With process, learned behavior takes place allowing them to reflect and understand their situation, turning the negative energy into something positive.
Examples of Behavior Theory with My Work The author chose the behavior therapy approach for at-risk adolescents as her overall choice. She chose this because of her passion for helping troubled adolescents, especially the females. The author comes from a troubled background make it easier to relate to the at-risk adolescent. There is a saying, “never judge a book by its cover” how can you help someone if you never experienced what they have or are going through. The things the author did were a lash out for help, for someone to except her for what she had, how she looked and what she stood for. Sometimes just having someone to talk to makes a big difference and I learned how to treat others the way I want to be treated as well as having self respect. I learned through trial and error, and I have no regrets, but a lot to be thankful for.

Example One The City of Mobile has implemented a teen curfew. This curfew designed to eliminate any person under the age of eighteen (18) to be in the downtown area after 10:00 p.m. on week days and 12:00 a.m. on weekends. This is curfew is being forced due to the increase in teenage crime to include homicides and vicious fights. The behavior technique these at-risk adolescents are implanting is planned behavior. They know what they are going to do before they act out. Therefore, becoming involved and allowing the extraordinary based on the ordinary they are familiar with allows openness and escape to make the necessary changes in their behavior if that is what they really want (Pickett, 2011).
Example Two The author read an article discussing children born into loss. In this article she learned that there are thousands of children in the justice system that are actually labeled from the day they were born in this cold world we live in (Smolen, 2001). Adolescents that are faced with the situation of being homeless, motherless, and living in poverty usually act out or implement disruptive behavior as a cry for help. Planned behavior theory is now looked upon as learned behavior in situations such as this. Not saying what these adolescents are doing is right, but they are doing what is being taught and that is to get in where you fit in (Klaus, Marshall, and Kennell, 1976). It reminds me of the “get rich or die trying” approach used in the lower class culture.
Example Three An article discussing teenage pregnancy stated that it is starting to become a norm in society. Majority of the homes today are single parent homes that consist mainly of the mother and sometimes the father depending on the situation. With this being said the parent and some cases parents are working consistently in order to provide for their children, leaving them home alone. Emotions and feelings are not being expressed in the home, which forces the child or children to fill that void in other places. When this happens it opens a classical conditioning approach of planned behavior theory. The adolescents find ways to meet there needs allowing other things such as intimacy to take place without protection because they were told I love you by their companion (Abrams & Sheeran, 2003).
Benefits of Behavior Therapy with My Work The benefits of behavior therapy with the authors work is the need for change. From what is seen in her desired line of work, detention centers and prisons are over populated. Given the high demand, this is one of the few fastest growing careers to start right now during the economic downturns. President Obama stated that he will expand counseling and social services during his presidency and this will only help anyone interested in becoming a counselor or social worker (Genter, Johnston, Moore & Rosey 2005). The retained information that she is utilizing later in her career she plan to network with business owners, and different non-profit organizations that have succeeded with the same ideas of making a difference and getting involved. She also plans to take additional classes that will prepare her for her goals and utilize sources in ways that will allow her to progress abundantly. Another benefit of behavior theory with her work is the relaxation training and related methods. This is therapy for the therapist, because it allows her to relax, absorb, and retain the information she needs to become successful in implanting behavior theory with at-risk adolescents (Corey, 2000).
Limitations of Behavior Therapy with My Work The author has learned from Corey (2009) that behavior therapy may change behaviors of at-risk adolescents, but it will not change how they feel. With the author’s plan of work, the focus to change behavior is the most important part; grant it the limitations of changing how he or she may feel is important as well, but at the same the counselor cannot control their feelings. The counselor can help the at-risk adolescents control their reactions based on how they are feeling at the time. For every action there’s a reaction. Another limitation stated by Corey (2009) is behavior therapy involves control and manipulation by therapist; therefore, focusing on their behavior is her goal.
Rationale of Behavior Therapy over Other Theories Behavior theory would fit the authors work better than any other theory mentioned in the text besides cognitive behavior theory and reality theory. Being that the authors work is detailed toward at-risk adolescents and their behavior problems as well as the cause, behavior theory was one that explained everything needed to guide her in the direction she plan to take in her career. Behavior problem with at-risk adolescents has grown rapidly in today’s society. Behavior theory discussed conditioning techniques, social skills training, self modification and self directed behavior programs. All these are a foundation to making a change in the behavior patterns.
Comparison with 1st Other Theory Reality therapy states that, an unsatisfying relationship or the lack of a relationship is usually the problem with clients according to Corey (2009). Behavior therapy observes behavior, determinants of the behavior, experiences, treatment and what can be done to change the behavior. In comparison behavior therapy and reality therapy they both allow the clients to make choices and discuss events that may have influenced their feelings or behaviors. Often time in life as humans we try to find fault in everyone except ourselves and make excuses for the behavior problems.

Comparison with 2nd Other Theory Cognitive behavior therapy and behavior therapy share a common interest. They both focus on having a relationship with the client, the both have a premise on psychological distress and its process throughout therapy, they both focus on change and the effects of behavior, and they both implement treatments that will target the problems causing the behavior issues. These two in theory almost identical and is very important the counseling field. They demonstrate a need for change and focuses solely on the clients and the process to produce positive and effective outcomes.
Conclusion
The information provided in this paper was based off academic knowledge obtained from the writer. It is understood that behavior theory was theoretical approach that best fit the work she has chosen, which is to work with at-risk adolescents. It has been stated that individuals plan their behavior and actions, and once it is demonstrated and it becomes a pattern, it becomes predictive. Learning and implementing ways to prevent the behavior problems is a process for the client and the counselor. Introducing the different measures learned in writing this paper will help meet the goals that will be set for the client and better prepare the counselor. Behavior therapy she believes was designed strictly for her career choice.

References

Abram, C., & Sheeran, P. (2003). Acting on intentions: The role of anticipated regret. British Journal of Social Psychology, 42, 495-511.
Corey, G. (2009). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychology (8th Ed.), Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole
Gentner, J. Johnston, E. Moore, & V. Rosey. (2005). A Safe Place To Grow, Binghamton, NY: The Haworth Press, Inc.
Klaus, Marshall, & Kennell, John. The Impact of Early Separation or Loss on Family Development. St. Louis: Mosby, 1976, 15-33.
Pickett, Rhoda. (2011 July 6). Teen curfew may have prevented early morning shooting at the Temple in the downtown area. Mobile Press Register, pp. 3C.
Sheeran, P. (2002). Intentions Behavior Relations: A conceptual and empirical review. European Review of Social Psychology, 12, 1 – 36.
Smolen, A. G. (2001). Psychoanalytically Informed Therapy with a Homeless Child. “The Journal of Clinical Psychoanalysis 10, 3.