[Behavior therapy in sex deviations--an orienting overview].

Behaviour therapy is a successful form of treatment for many neurotic patients. The literature on treatment of paraphilias consists mainly of single case studies. The ideas of learning theory on which this treatment is based, have not changed in the last 10 years, but treatment goals are being considered much more carefully. Each patient needs an individual treatment program which usually consists of methods to change sexually deviant behaviour and strategies to reinforce or buildup usual heterosexual behaviour. Almost always deficiencies in social and communicative behaviour exist and have to be incorporated into the treatment as well. Although results seem to be favourable so far research on therapy outcome is of great necessity.