Best ABA Therapist in Dwarka Sector 11 Dwarka Delhi
Aggressive behaviours can be challenging for individuals, families, and caregivers. Whether in children, adolescents, or adults, aggression often stems from unmet needs, frustration, or underlying conditions such as anxiety, stress, or trauma. Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA Therapy) is a research-based approach that helps individuals develop proper coping mechanisms and reduce aggression through structured interventions.
Understanding Aggressive Behaviour
Aggressive behaviour can manifest in diverse ways, such as:
- Physical aggression (hitting, biting, kicking).
- Verbal aggression (yelling, threats, name-calling).
- Self-injurious behaviour (head-banging, scratching, or biting oneself).
These behaviours are often linked to:
- Frustration due to communication difficulties.
- Anxiety and stress, lead to emotional burnout.
- Depression, which can trigger irritability and anger.
- Trauma, where past experiences influence behaviour patterns.
- Low self-esteem, makes individuals feel powerless or misunderstood.
Since aggression can have deep-rooted emotional causes, a combination of ABA Therapy and psychotherapy provides a comprehensive approach to managing and reducing these behaviours.
How ABA Therapy Helps Reduce Aggressive Behaviours
ABA Therapy uses evidence-based techniques to modify behaviour by reinforcing positive actions and discouraging negative ones. The goal is to help individuals develop self-control, improve self-confidence, and self-esteem and find alternative ways to express their needs.
1. Identifying Triggers and Patterns
ABA therapists use Functional Behaviour Assessments (FBA) to analyse what triggers aggressive behaviour. This process involves:
- Observing when and where the aggression occurs.
- Identifying whether the aggression is seeking attention, escaping tasks, or expressing frustration.
- Recognising emotional responses linked to stress, anxiety, or panic attacks.
By understanding these patterns, therapists can create personalized intervention plans.
2. Teaching Alternative Communication Skills
Many individuals resort to aggression because they struggle to communicate effectively. ABA Therapy focuses on Functional Communication Training (FCT) to:
- Teach verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
- Introduce assistive devices for non-verbal individuals.
- Encourage self-expression in constructive ways, reducing frustration and self-doubt.
When individuals feel heard and understood, their self-esteem improves, leading to fewer aggressive outbursts.
3. Positive Reinforcement Strategies
ABA Therapy emphasises positive reinforcement to encourage desirable behaviours. This includes:
- Token reward systems (earning points or privileges for good behaviour).
- Verbal praise to boost self-confidence.
- Access to preferred activities when using the right coping skills.
By reinforcing positive behaviours, individuals learn to replace aggression with healthier responses.
4. Emotional Regulation and Coping Mechanisms
Since aggression is often linked to emotional distress, ABA therapists teach:
- Mindfulness techniques to reduce anxiety and impulsivity.
- Deep breathing exercises to manage anger.
- Self-soothing techniques to prevent aggressive reactions.
Developing these skills helps individuals gain control over their emotions, reducing panic attacks and aggressive tendencies.
5. Desensitisation and Gradual Exposure
For individuals with trauma-related aggression, ABA Therapy includes controlled exposure to triggers in a safe and supportive environment. This technique helps individuals build resilience and react calmly to challenging situations over time.
Integrating Psychotherapy with ABA Therapy
While ABA Therapy focuses on behavioural modification, psychotherapy addresses emotional and psychological factors contributing to aggression. This combined approach is highly effective in treating individuals with stress, depression, or past trauma.
1. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Emotional Control
CBT helps individuals recognise negative thought patterns that fuel aggression. It teaches:
- How to reframe irrational thoughts.
- Coping strategies for managing stress and frustration.
- Problem-solving skills to handle conflicts peacefully.
2. Trauma-Informed Therapy for Aggression
For individuals with a history of trauma, therapists use:
- Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) to process painful memories.
- Narrative therapy helps individuals express their past experiences.
- Self-esteem-building exercises to empower individuals and reduce defensive aggression.
3. Social Skills Training
Aggression often stems from difficulties in social interactions. Social skills training helps individuals:
- Learn empathy and perspective-taking.
- Improve conversational skills.
- Develop patience and impulse control.
By enhancing social competence, individuals gain self-confidence and interact more positively with others.
How Experts at Psychowellness Center Can Help
The specialists at Psychowellness Center use a combination of ABA Therapy, CBT, and stress management techniques to help individuals reduce aggression and build emotional resilience.
- Dr. R K Suri
With extensive experience in psychotherapy, Dr. R K Suri focuses on the emotional and cognitive aspects of aggression, helping individuals gain control over their responses and improve self-esteem.
- Mr. Utkarsh Yadav specialises in behavioural therapy and anger management techniques, ensuring that individuals receive personalised strategies to reduce anxiety, panic, and aggressive outbursts.
- Mr. Kamal Agarwal integrates occupational therapy with ABA principles, helping individuals develop self-control, emotional regulation, and adaptive social skills.
- Ms. Sakshi Dhankhar’s expertise in CBT and mindfulness therapy ensures that individuals develop healthier coping mechanisms, reducing aggression and increasing self-confidence.
- Ms. Tanu Sangwan uses a blend of ABA Therapy, psychotherapy, and relaxation techniques to help individuals replace aggression with positive behaviours, fostering emotional well-being.
Conclusion
Aggressive behaviour can have deep emotional roots, often tied to anxiety, stress, trauma, or low self-esteem. ABA Therapy, combined with psychotherapy, offers a comprehensive approach to reducing aggression by identifying triggers, teaching emotional regulation, and promoting self-confidence.
If you or a loved one are struggling with aggression, seeking help from experts like Best Psychologists at Psychowellness Center, can provide the tools needed for long-term improvement. With structured interventions and compassionate support, individuals can learn to manage emotions effectively and lead healthier, more balanced lives.
Contributed by Ms Tanu Sangwan, Counselling Psychologist
References
- Baer, D. M., Wolf, M. M., & Risley, T. R. (1968). Some current dimensions of applied behaviour analysis. Journal of Applied Behaviour Analysis.
- Cooper, J. O., Heron, T. E., & Heward, W. L. (2020). Applied Behaviour Analysis. Pearson.
- Kazdin, A. E. (2017). Behaviour Modification in Applied Settings. Waveland Press.
- American Psychological Association (2023). Understanding Behavioral Therapy and Aggression Management.
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