Behavior therapy and Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) are research-based forms of treatment that are:

goal-oriented

generally short-term

often drug free

Behavior Therapy is a particular type of treatment that is firmly based on research. It helps people achieve specific changes or goals, such as:

a way of acting like smoking less or being more outgoing

a way of feeling like helping a person be less afraid, less depressed, or less anxious

a way of thinking like learning to problem-solve or to get rid of self-defeating thoughts

a way of dealing with physical or medical problems like lessening back pain or helping a person stick to a doctor's suggestions or;

a way of coping like training developmentally disabled people to care for themselves or hold a job

Behavior Therapists and Cognitive Behavior Therapists usually focus on the current situation, rather than the past. They concentrate on a person's views and perceptions about their life, rather than personality traits.

Behavior Therapists and Cognitive Behavior Therapists aim to give people more control over their lives. They accomplish this by helping people change ways of living that have become problematic and by encouraging new approaches that work better.

(The information above was excerpted from the ABCT website.)