Behavior Therapist Job Description
Behavior therapists provide behavioral therapy to a wide range of patients. Behavioral therapy is the practice of identifying and changing unwanted behaviors. The goal is to help patients free themselves from unhealthy thoughts and behaviors. Behavior therapists accomplish this by giving their patients the tools they need to live healthier lives.
Behavior therapists can help patients with a wide variety of conditions, including: anxiety, stress, depression, substance abuse, and more. To do this, the behavior therapist needs to work with their patients to understand the difficulties they’ve been having and the behaviors they’d like to change. Then, the behavior therapist will create a customized action plan to bring the patient from where they are currently to where they’d like to be.
Behavior Therapist Job Description Template
Our office is looking for a skilled behavior therapist to join our team. Your job will be to help our patients identify the unhealthy behaviors and thought patterns that have been holding them back from reaching their goals. You will work with the patient to help them develop the tools that they need to overcome the difficulties that they’ve been having in life. Part of this will involve creating personalized exercises and homework for the patients to complete on their own.
As a behavior therapist in our office, you will work with a wide variety of patients. You may spend time helping people who are struggling with substance abuse, anxiety, stress, or conditions like schizophrenia. To be successful, you will need to have strong communication skills and the ability to customize your approach based on the unique needs of every patient.
Behavior Therapist Responsibilities:
- Analyze patients’ thought patterns and behaviors to identify which of these are harmful to them
- Develop treatment plans based on the unique needs of the patient
- Recommend exercises and homework that the patient can complete to begin modifying their problem behaviors
- Maintain meticulous patient records to track progress and identify opportunities for improvement
- Educating the parents of young patients on what they can do to help their child improve their behavior
Behavior Therapist Requirements:
- All state licenses required to practice behavior therapy in a professional setting
- Master’s degree in psychology, applied behavioral science, or a related field
- Previous experience in a similar role
- Excellent communication skills and a professional, caring demeanor
- Patience and compassion
- Knowledge of the best practices in behavioral therapy
Behavior Therapist FAQ
What tasks does a behavior therapist do?
The goal of a behavioral therapist is to help a patient move away from harmful behaviors and towards better ones. This requires first working with the patient to identify which of their current thought patterns and behaviors are holding them back.
Then, the behavioral therapist will recommend healthier coping habits and assign exercises and homework for the patient to complete on their own. Behavioral therapists may also be asked to maintain patient records and educate parents and educators about a child’s or student’s needs.
Can I use your behavior therapist job description template?
Yes, you can use our template but don’t forget to customize it to reflect your unique needs. You can differentiate your position from others that applicants are considering by adding specific details to your job description.
What should I include in my behavior therapist help-wanted ads?
You should follow the template that we’ve laid out above. Start with an opening paragraph that describes the job in general terms. Then, provide more specific information about the responsibilities and requirements of the job in bulleted lists. It’s important that you make your opening paragraph as appealing as possible by utilizing strong, engaging language. Doing so will help you attract more qualified applicants for your position.
