Abstract
Behavior therapy is generally accepted in social work as a highly valuable practice. The present article provides an overview of why behavior therapy was introduced into social work, and a consideration of its role in social work. A special focus of the discussion is on the relation between the social work terms of "life model," "empowerment," and "strength," and behavior therapy. A point of contact between behavior therapy and social work lies in the relation between people and their environment. Social work is based on a life model, and behavior therapy also attaches importance to relationships between people's behavior and their environment. Finally, consideration is given to the present condition, problems, and prospects of behavioral social work in Japan.
