Clinical Behavior Analysis for Children

by Adriana Suzart Ungaretti Rossi (Editor), Ila Marques Porto Linares (Editor), Luiza Chagas Brandïo (Editor)

Overview

This book is a guide for child psychotherapists interested in applying clinical behavioral analysis to their work and for clinical behavior analysts working with children. In the literature of behavior analysis, a considerable number of publications present clinical strategies to more effectively conduct therapeutic interventions with adults and adolescents, but there is still a lack of publications that address practical aspects of the work of the child behavior analytic therapist. This volume aims do fill this void by bringing together chapters written by therapists who share their views on theoretical and practical aspects of child care and describe the stages and challenges of the psychotherapy process with clients of up to 12 years of age.

Chapters in this volume provide an overview of the specific knowledge and techniques clinical behavior analysts need to master to work with children, such as theories of child development from the perspective of behavior analysis; biological influences on the development of child behavior; clinical assessment and definition of therapeutic goals in the work with children; how to include functional play in clinical settings; and how to involve parents and the school in the therapeutic process. Additionally, specific chapters focus on the application of third wave behavioral therapies, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Functional Analytic Psychotherapy, to the clinical work with children.

Clinical Behavior Analysis for Children will be a valuable resource for psychotherapists and clinical psychology students looking for a guide to understand the specificities of clinical behavior analysis applied to child psychotherapy.  

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783031122491
Publisher:	Springer International Publishing
Publication date:	11/14/2022
Edition description:	1st ed. 2022
Pages:	200
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x (d)

About the Author

Adriana Rossi, PhD, is a researcher, supervisor and teacher at Paradigma - Center for Behavioral Sciences and Technology, Brazil, and a clinician in private practice in São Paulo, Brazil. She holds a PhD in psychobiology from the Federal University of São Paulo (Unifesp), Brazil; is a specialist in clinical psychotherapy accredited by Paradigma and a specialist in neuropsychology accredited by the Brazilian Federal Council of Psychology. She is a researcher of the laboratory of process-outcome studies in clinical behavior analysis at Paradigma, a teacher in graduate courses of the same institution and a clinical supervisor and coordinator of Paradigma’s training clinic.

Ila Linares, PhD, is a supervisor and teacher at Paradigma - Center for Behavioral Sciences and Technology, Brazil; a clinician in private practice in São Paulo, Brazil; and a psychologist at the University of São Paulo's School of Medicine Clinics Hospital (HC-FMUSP). She holds a PhD in mental health from the School of Medicine of the University of São Paulo in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil; is a specialist in clinical psychotherapist accredited by Paradigma and a specialist in sleep psychology accredited by the Brazilian Sleep Association (ABS) and by the Brazilian Society of Psychology (SBP).

Luiza Chagas Brandão, PhD, is a teacher at Paradigma - Center for Behavioral Sciences and Technology, Brazil, and a clinician in private practice in São Paulo, Brazil. She holds a PhD in clinical psychology from the University of São Paulo (USP). She was the president of the Special Interest Group for Children, Adolescents and Families of the Association for Contextual Behavior Science (ACBS) for 2021 - 2022.

Table of Contents

Introduction to clinical behavior analysis for children.- The clinical behavior analyst for children Child development from the perspective of behavior analysis.- Biological influences on the development of child behaviour.- Clinical assessment in clinical behavior analysis for children and definition of therapeutic goals.- Evidence-based psychotherapy in childhood and adolescence.- Functional play: ways to conduct and the development of skills of the clinical behavior analyst for children.- Acceptance and commitment therapy: interventions with children.- Introduction to functional-analytic psychotherapy with children.- Levels of therapeutic intervention in psychotherapy with children.- Contact with schools - objectives, limits and care.- Interdisciplinary work in the care of children.- Functional analysis of interventions with parents: parental guidance or parental training?.- Family Interventions.- Therapeutic discharge as an outcome of clinical behavior analysis for children: criteria and process.- Ethical issues in clinical behavior analysis for children

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Gary B Kaniuk, PsyD (Cermak Health Services)
Description: The book explores how clinical behavior analysis can be used in children, specifically focusing on child development and biological issues, along with evidence-based psychotherapies. It also discusses family interventions and ethical issues when working with children.
Purpose: The book aims to capture the fundamental elements and practical application of clinical behavior analysis for children. These are worthy objectives, and the book meets the stated objectives.
Audience: According to the back cover, the book is "a valuable resource for psychotherapists and clinical psychology students looking for a guide to understand the specificities of clinical behavior analysis applied to child psychotherapy." The book meets the needs of its intended audience. The authors are credible authorities on the subject matter; however, only their agency/university affiliations are provided. Adrianna Suzart Ungaretti Rossi and Luiza Chagas Brandao are affiliated with the Center for Behavioral Sciences and Technology in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Ila Marques Porto Linares is affiliated with the University of Sao Paulo in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The other contributors are also affiliated with agencies and universities in Brazil.
Features: The book begins with an introduction to the topic. The theory can be traced back to B.F. Skinner, who viewed behavior as an interaction between the organism and environment (p. 2). The objectives and treatment plan must be clear so that the therapist will not be overwhelmed. Developmental issues including temperament are important, along with assessing parenting practices. Therapists have great interest in the interaction between the parents/caretakers and the child in question. Also, the child's school can provide information on academic and/or behavior problems. Many evidence-based therapies can be used with children. One important area is play, especially functional play. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has also been used with adults and children. The book includes interesting content on an interactional approach with five different levels. A comprehensive assessment will detect if any learning disabilities exist. The book ends with information on termination or "therapeutic discharge" (p. 175). The book is very readable, with figures and an initial assessment form which help clarify the text.
Assessment: This book is a very good resource that explores theory, assessment, and psychotherapy for children from a clinical behavior analysis perspective. The authors and contributors are experts from Brazil, though this content is applicable all over the world. It will be useful for clinicians who work with children and families.

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