Assertiveness training is one effective form of therapy that is based on classical conditioning. The main objective of this behavior therapy is to increase the probability that the client will react assertively in order to decrease the incidence of anxiety or some other maladaptive response that occurs in problematic interpersonal situations. Assertiveness responses do not have a structured framework like the comprehensive structure that systematic desensitization has.

As an alternative, assertiveness training utilizes many processes, which include incorporating behavior rehearsals, modeling, and relaxation training. Another defining characteristic of assertiveness training is that the maladaptive responses that the client exhibits are substituted for more irreconcilable self-assertive responses to these type of situations and occurrences.