Psychology and Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) are both crucial in supporting mental well-being and improving the quality of life for individuals. However, these two disciplines differ significantly in their focus, approach, and application. Understanding these distinctions can help individuals, including National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants, make informed decisions when choosing the right form of support.
In this article, we will break down the key differences between psychology and PBS, helping you understand their unique roles in the context of disability support and mental health care.
What is Psychology?
Psychology is the scientific study of the human mind, emotions, and behaviours. It seeks to understand why individuals think, feel, and behave in certain ways and uses this understanding to offer therapeutic interventions to improve mental well-being. Psychology is a broad field, encompassing various sub-specialties such as clinical, developmental, and cognitive psychology, all aimed at addressing different aspects of human behaviour and mental health.
Key Concepts in Psychology:
- Mental Processes: Psychology aims to explore the mental processes that shape behaviour. These include emotions, thoughts, memory, perception, and learning.
- Therapeutic Approaches: Psychologists use various methods such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), psychoanalysis, and mindfulness-based therapies to help individuals manage mental health issues like anxiety, depression, trauma, and more.
- Holistic Focus: Psychology looks at the individual in their entirety, not just specific behaviours but the underlying mental, emotional, and social factors that influence their lives.
- Diagnosis and Treatment: Clinical psychologists are trained to diagnose mental health conditions through assessments, interviews, and tests, and to offer personalised treatment plans. These plans may include talking therapies, behavioural interventions, and in some cases, coordination with other healthcare providers.
- Applicability in NDIS: For NDIS participants, psychologists can play a critical role in supporting mental health, emotional regulation, and overall well-being. This can range from managing stress to treating complex mental health conditions that impact day-to-day living.
When Psychology is Appropriate:
Psychology is especially beneficial for individuals experiencing emotional distress, mood disorders, and cognitive challenges. It is broad in scope and can address a wide range of mental health issues.
What is Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)?
Positive Behaviour Support is a person-centred, evidence-based approach to supporting individuals, particularly those with disabilities, who may engage in behaviours of concern. PBS is not just about reducing challenging behaviours; it seeks to understand why these behaviours occur and develops strategies to replace them with positive, functional behaviours.
Key Concepts in PBS:
- Behavioural Focus: PBS is grounded in understanding the context of behaviours and identifying the triggers or causes behind them. This process often involves conducting a Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA) to pinpoint specific environmental or emotional factors leading to the behaviour.
- Positive Reinforcement: One of the core principles of PBS is the use of positive reinforcement. This involves rewarding or encouraging desired behaviours to replace negative or harmful actions. By focusing on positive changes, PBS helps individuals build better coping mechanisms and more appropriate ways to communicate or behave.
- Proactive Approach: Unlike traditional behaviour management methods, which often focus on punishing unwanted behaviours, PBS is proactive. It emphasises preventing behaviours of concern before they arise by modifying environments, routines, or support structures around the individual.
- Person-Centred Plans: PBS is highly personalised. Practitioners develop support plans tailored to the individual’s unique needs, goals, and challenges. This could include strategies for improving communication, enhancing social skills, or creating safer and more supportive environments.
- Applicability in NDIS: Within the NDIS framework, PBS plays a crucial role for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities who may require behaviour management to improve their quality of life and daily functioning. It can help NDIS participants gain greater independence and achieve their personal goals.
When PBS is Appropriate:
PBS is most effective when working with individuals with disabilities, particularly those exhibiting behaviours that can be challenging for themselves and others. This approach is often used with children and adults with autism, intellectual disabilities, or mental health conditions that affect behaviour.
Core Differences Between Psychology and PBS
While psychology and PBS may share some common ground in supporting individuals’ well-being, there are several key differences:
Focus and Scope
- Psychology is broad in its scope, dealing with a wide range of mental health conditions and emotional issues. It looks at the entire psychological makeup of a person—how they think, feel, and behave in various contexts.
- PBS is much more focused on specific behaviours, especially those that are considered harmful or challenging. It aims to understand and change these behaviours through structured, positive interventions.
Approach to Intervention
- Psychology often relies on talking therapies, assessments, and counselling techniques like CBT, psychoanalysis, or trauma therapy. Its interventions may be long-term and multifaceted, addressing both conscious and unconscious aspects of a person’s mind.
- PBS uses behavioural analysis, focusing on identifying triggers for behaviours and modifying environments or routines to encourage positive changes. The interventions are more immediate and practical, with a focus on daily living improvements.
Role in Disability Support
- Psychology helps NDIS participants with mental health concerns that may indirectly affect their disability or overall functioning. For example, a participant might see a psychologist for anxiety management, which can, in turn, help them better engage with their supports.
- PBS directly addresses behaviours of concern that are often associated with developmental or intellectual disabilities. It plays a more specific role in improving an individual’s functional ability and reducing behaviours that might limit their participation in daily activities.
Target Audience
- Psychology serves a broad audience, including individuals of all ages and backgrounds, whether or not they have disabilities. It is widely applicable to anyone seeking support with mental health issues.
- PBS is typically more specialised, designed for individuals with disabilities, particularly those with behavioural challenges. Its primary audience includes children and adults who need help managing behaviours that may limit their independence or well-being.
Conclusion: Which Approach is Right for You?
Both psychology and Positive Behaviour Support are valuable tools in supporting individuals to live fuller, more independent lives. However, the choice between the two depends on the specific needs of the individual:
- If the primary concern is mental health or emotional regulation, psychology may be the most suitable option, providing therapeutic support that addresses the complexities of the human mind.
- If the individual struggles with behaviours of concern, especially within the context of disability, Positive Behaviour Support can offer structured, evidence-based interventions that focus on fostering positive behaviour changes.
At SAN Support, we understand the unique challenges faced by NDIS participants and their families. We provide both psychological services and PBS to ensure comprehensive, person-centred care that meets each individual’s needs, helping them to achieve their goals and improve their quality of life.