Am J Psychiatry 1976; 133:253-261
Copyright © 1976 by American Psychiatric Association
The current status of behavioral psychotherapy: theory and practice
IM Marks
Behavioral psychotherapy has become one of the definitive treatments
available for the relief of psychiatric suffering. Although hardly a
panacea for all ills, the behavioral approach is the treatment of choice
for certain selected problems. Behavioral methods make their contribution
in the context of general psychiatric management and often must be used in
conjunction with other treatment. The theoretical and practical aspects of
behavioral psychotherapy have changed a great deal over the past few years
and continue to evolve rapidly. Although useful molecular theories are
emerging to guide the discipline, no global theory is likely to be
satisfactory in the foreseeable future.
