Behavior modification has been used in classrooms, industry, and marriage counseling. In behavioral family therapy, the therapist examines how family members learn undesirable behaviors, how they can unlearn these behaviors, and how they can learn more desirable behaviors. This type of therapy is a method of direct treatment in which goals are immediately established and an action plan is developed and monitored. Family therapy, useful in both parent-child and husband-wife relationships, is guided by principles that include reinforcement, behavior shaping, consistency, and contracts. The therapeutic process follows five stages of: (1) establishing rapport; (2) identifying behaviors; (3) ranking behaviors; (4) selecting rewards/deprivations; and (5) developing contracts. Counselors should recognize, however, that clients are not always pleased with behavioral family therapy and may be quick to voice their complaints. (JAC)