Therapy vs Behavior Modification for Teenage Boys

If your teenage son is dealing with tough behavioral and emotional issues and you are at your wits’ end, you might be thinking about different treatment options to help him. The two most popular treatment options today are behavior modification and therapy. Today we’ll take a closer look at the two to help you understand the differences.

What is Therapy?

Basically, therapy looks at the why behind your teenage son’s behaviors and emotional issues. A therapist addresses negative thoughts, feelings and behaviors of your son and tries to help him understand how those thoughts, feelings and behaviors impact his life. The therapist will help him find answers to these issues, but will not solve the problems for him.

The reasons for therapy include:

1. Medical and/or health issues

2. Rejection, divorce or death

3. Stress

4. Violence in the home or school

A teen boy could benefit from any of the following types of therapy:

1. Individual therapy that is one-on-one with a therapist

2. Group therapy, such as a home for teen boys

3. Family therapy, with parents and siblings present

It is important to note that therapy focuses on restoring more positive relationships in your son’s life and gives him the tools to approach life and its inherent problems in better ways.

What is Behavior Modification?

Behavior modification zeroes in on unacceptable behaviors. Thes