Exposure
Gradually facing feared situations so anxiety falls — core for phobias and anxiety.
Home / Therapy approaches / Behavioural therapy
Evidence-based therapy approach
Behavioural Therapy in Bangladesh
Behavioural therapy focuses on changing unhelpful patterns of behaviour through practical, structured techniques — so you feel and function better. Work with a licensed psychologist online across Bangladesh, or in person in Dhaka.
★ 4.8 Google35,000+ sessions60+ licensed psychologists
Behavioural therapy at a glance
- Typical length
- Often 8–16 weekly sessions
- Each session
- About 60 minutes
- Style
- Structured and active; small, planned changes
- Between sessions
- Simple practice tasks and tracking
- Strongest evidence
- Phobias, OCD, depression, habits and child behaviour
- Format
- Online or in person; parents can join for children
Meet the psychologists →In plain language: Behavioural therapy works on what you do — the habits and avoidance that keep problems going — using clear, practical steps. Change the behaviour, and thoughts and feelings often follow.
The basics
What is behavioural therapy?
Behavioural therapy is based on the idea that behaviours are learned — and can therefore be changed.
Many difficulties are kept going by patterns of behaviour: avoiding feared situations, withdrawing when low, or habits that bring short-term relief but long-term harm. Behavioural therapy targets these directly with structured techniques, rather than focusing mainly on thoughts (as CBT does) or the past. It is practical, goal-focused and usually time-limited. It forms the foundation of many modern therapies and is especially effective for anxiety, phobias, low mood and habit change.
How behaviour is learned
What keeps a behaviour going
Behavioural therapy looks at what comes before a behaviour and what follows it. What follows often makes the behaviour more likely next time, which is also how new habits are built.
- Change what comes beforeAdjusting triggers and routines makes the unhelpful behaviour less likely to start.
- Teach a new behaviourA clear, small alternative is practised step by step until it is easy.
- Change what followsRewarding the new behaviour and not rewarding the old one shifts the habit over time.
Based on the ABC (antecedent, behaviour, consequence) model used in behavioural therapy. Illustration.
Not one single method
Common behavioural approaches
Behavioural activation
Rebuilding meaningful, rewarding activity to lift low mood.
Habit reversal
Replacing unwanted habits with healthier alternatives.
Skills training
Building practical coping, social or relaxation skills.
Reinforcement
Using rewards to strengthen helpful behaviour, often with children.
Relaxation training
Learnable techniques to calm the body’s stress response.
Why people choose it
What are the benefits?
Practical & clear
Concrete steps and measurable change, not open-ended talk.
Strong evidence
Well proven for anxiety, phobias, low mood and habits.
Often time-limited
Focused work with a clear sense of progress.
Skills you keep
Tools that stay useful long after therapy ends.
Works for children
Behavioural methods are effective with young people.
Blends easily
Combines naturally with CBT and other approaches.
Choosing well
Is behavioural therapy right for me?
A good fit if you
- avoid places, people or tasks because of fear
- want to change a habit such as nail biting, hair pulling, late nights or too much screen time
- have lost energy and motivation, and want to rebuild a daily routine
- are a parent looking for calm, consistent ways to handle a child’s behaviour
Another approach may suit first if
- you are in crisis or feel unsafe: call 999 or go to the nearest hospital
- unhelpful thoughts drive the problem as much as behaviour: CBT adds thinking skills
- you have rituals or intrusive thoughts: ERP is the specialist behavioural method for OCD
- you feel unsure whether you want to change a habit at all: motivational interviewing
Not sure? A psychologist will look at what keeps the problem going before suggesting any plan.
Inside the work
What sessions involve
Map the pattern
Identifying the behaviours keeping the problem going.
Set clear goals
Agreeing specific, doable changes to work toward.
Practise steps
Working through techniques like exposure or activation, in small steps.
Review & build
Adjusting based on what works and building on progress.
Where it helps
What it can help treat
Anxiety & phobias
Exposure-based work to reduce fear and avoidance.
Depression & low mood
Behavioural activation to rebuild energy and motivation.
Habits & addiction
Changing patterns that cause harm.
ADHD support
Structure and routines that support focus.
Children’s behaviour
Reinforcement strategies for behaviour concerns.
Panic
Facing avoided situations to break the panic cycle.
Who can help
Psychologists and psychiatrists with related experience
These licensed professionals mention experience related to behavioural therapy. Not sure who fits? Tell us what is going on and we will match you.
Tamima Tanjin
From ৳3,500BCPS-verified
Hazera Khatun
From ৳3,500BCPS-verified
Samsun Nahar
From ৳2,200BCPS-verified
Mst. Swampa
From ৳3,000BCPS-verified
Md. Abul Bashar
From ৳2,500
Sharmin Akter Shetu
From ৳2,400
Shahana Parveen
From ৳2,500BCPS-verified
Md. Hafizur Rahman
From ৳2,500
Dr. Afsana Benta Anowar
From ৳2,500
Md. Shariful Islam
From ৳2,500BCPS-verified
Sumaiya Habib
From ৳2,500BCPS-verified
Mihir Sarker
From ৳2,000
Choosing safely
Questions to ask a therapist
- What training and experience do you have in behavioural therapy?
- Why do you think it fits my concern?
- What might sessions and between-session practice look like?
- Roughly how many sessions, and how will we review progress?
- What alternatives should I consider?
- Can it be adapted to my language and culture?
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How is behavioural therapy different from CBT?
CBT works on both thoughts and behaviours. Behavioural therapy focuses mainly on changing behaviour — avoidance, habits, activity — which often shifts thoughts and feelings too. They overlap and are often combined.
Is it evidence-based?
Yes. Behavioural methods like exposure and behavioural activation are among the most strongly evidenced techniques in psychology.
Is there homework?
Usually yes — practical steps between sessions are a big part of why it works, and they are agreed with you and kept realistic.
Can it be done online in Bangladesh?
Yes. It works well over secure video, in Bangla or English, from anywhere in the country. In-person sessions are available in Dhaka.
Do I need medication?
Often not. Behavioural therapy helps many people on its own; for some, therapy plus medication works best, decided with a psychiatrist.
How much does a session cost?
Chum Wellness sessions start from BDT 1,000 and vary by psychologist. The exact fee is confirmed before you book.
Read more
Related articles & guides
Practical, Bangladesh-specific reading from the Chum blog on this topic.
Behavioral Disorders List: Diagnosing & Understanding Children IssuesRead article →Psychotherapy for Depression: Overcoming Phobia in TreatmentRead article →শুচিবায়ু (OCD): লক্ষণ, কারণ ও চিকিৎসাRead article →Teenage Depression: A Parents’ Guide for BangladeshRead article →Screen Time and Children’s Mental HealthRead article →Exam Stress in Students: How to CopeRead article →
Ready when you are
Small steps, real change
Tell us what you want to change. We will match you with a licensed psychologist who uses behavioural methods, online across Bangladesh or in person in Dhaka, and every step is agreed with you.
