What type of therapy is Rena likely receiving if her therapist encourages engaging in alternative behaviors and rewarding successes?

Rena is likely receiving behavioral therapy because this approach specifically focuses on modifying observable behaviors through the principles of learning theory. In behavioral therapy, therapists emphasize the importance of reinforcement—rewarding positive behaviors to encourage their continuation and reduce maladaptive behaviors. The emphasis on engaging in alternative behaviors indicates that the therapy is rooted in behavior modification techniques, which aim to replace undesirable behaviors with more acceptable ones. This aligns perfectly with the core tenets of behavioral therapy, where the focus is on the behavior itself rather than underlying thoughts or feelings, which is more characteristic of cognitive and psychodynamic approaches.

Additionally, in behavioral therapy, the therapist actively participates in crafting a reinforcement schedule to reward successes, thereby motivating clients to practice new, healthier behaviors. This contrasts with humanistic therapy, which focuses on personal growth and self-actualization without structured behavior modification, and cognitive therapy, which focuses more on changing thought patterns rather than direct behavioral changes.