This paper addresses the question of how psychodynamic psychotherapists and behaviour therapists attempt to influence the cognitions of their patients. Two independent judges rated audioregistrations of therapy sessions of eight psychodynamic and eight behaviour therapists with regard to various distinct categories of cognitive restructuring. The validity of the system of categories was established in a previous study. The interrater reliability of the present ratings was investigated and found to be satisfactory. Although psychoanalytic therapists carried out fewer interventions altogether, no differences were found between the groups in the percentage of cognitive restructuring. However, there were differences in the way the two groups tried to achieve cognitive restructuring.

A questionnaire survey of a random sample of the members of the BABP (N = 191) served to clarify the relationship between research and practice in behavioural psychotherapy in the UK. The predicted gap between research and practice was only obtained in one of eight targeted areas, i.e. training. Overall, this indicated that behavioural practitioners were conforming to the standards set out in behavioural research. However, as the research standards were not challenging, it is argued that theory provides a better benchmark against which to judge practice. This leads to the view that considerable progress remains to be made, particularly in terms of becoming more environmental in the formulation and treatment of problems, and in becoming more objective and systematic in measuring such problems. Developments in the analysis of practitioner behaviour should, it is suggested, form the basis of more effective training and contingency management, in relation to behavioural practice.

A number of single case reports have made impressive claims for the efficacy of “eye movement desensitization” (EMD) in the treatment of traumatic memories. Many of these case reports claim that EMD reduces the unpleasant feelings associated with traumatic images. However, at present, there are no published controlled studies that provide evidence for these claims. The present experiment investigated whether EMD inhibits emotional responding during retrieval of aversive information. Normal Ss (N=40) were exposed to an aversive slide. During a next stage, half of the Ss underwent EMD while they rehearsed the slide information, whereas the other half underwent a control procedure (i.e., finger tapping) while rehearsing slide information. Before and after EMD or control intervention, heart rate and self-report data were obtained while Ss retrieved and visualized the aversive slide. No evidence was found to suggest that EMD inhibits emotional reactivity more than does finger tapping.

Two patients with longstanding dysmorphic ideas and associated social avoidances refused exposure treatment. A role-play requiring them to research and debate beliefs contrary to their over-valued ideas effected attitude change and facilitated compliance with exposure treatment. In both patients, marked improvement in beliefs and avoidance occurred during treatment and was maintained at follow-up.

It is not clear from the literature whether successful outcomes can be obtained with CBT in chronic, drug refractory patients who require admission to hospital and whose problems date back to childhood. Anecdotal evidence suggests that they can be treated with CBT (e.g. Beck and Freeman, 1990; Young, 1990). However, no detailed reports of successful treatment in this group have been published. The present report will describe the treatment and outcome of one patient, Alison, who was suffering from depression and who was treated with CBT. She had failed to respond to medication and required admission to hospital. She had chronic difficulties that dated back to childhood and had most of the features described by Scott (1992). Her treatment illustrates how the many different aspects of her complex problems could be examined and treated using CBT techniques as these provided a simple way of understanding and dealing with the difficulties she faced.

A 38 year old patient with auditory hallucinations was treated with a brief cognitive-behavioural intervention without concurrent medication. This intervention was based upon the theory of Bentall (1990a, b) and the methods of Haddock, Bentall and Slade (1993). The patient's ratings for frequency of hallucinations and distress caused were significantly reduced at end of treatment, and her belief in the reality of these voices was correspondingly diminished. These gains were maintained at one and three month follow-up.

Strikingly diverse views have been expressed regarding the current status of behaviour therapy, with some concern that the field has lost its bearings. Two possible reasons for this diversity of views are the lack of data and the lack of a behavioural referenced instrument for gathering such data. In this paper we offer an instrument and illustrate its use in relation to a random sample of articles appearing in Behavioural Psychotherapy throughout the 1980s. The results suggest that the instrument is reliable and valid, but that behavioural research has not shown itself to be on course towards the standards set out in its own methodological literature. In addition, there is no evidence for the development of an environmental approach. Suggestions are made on aligning research with the aspirations of behavioural and cognitive psychotherapy.

This paper describes the problems of a dyadic relationship, that of co-authors, and the behaviours that contribute to breakdown. From this a checklist of behaviours is drawn up, to be used to investigate the “at risk” behaviours of potential co-authors.*

Thank you for submitting this interesting paper to Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy. I enclose two reviewers' comments. I have a third reviewer's comments, but intend to withhold this from you for reasons which I cannot specify. All referees are extremely eminent in their field, and you should therefore consider their comments very carefully, obeying without question. Bearing in mind that I also am eminent in this field, I have some additional comments for your consideration.

In this paper a method to regain control over heroin addiction is described. The method is illustrated with a case example. A self-control guide book is used to help the client regain control. Motivational interviewing acts as a go between: a linking pin between client engaging in high risk behaviours and a method that could help him to become a responsible heroin user.

This single case history highlights the importance of a complete psychological assessment to establish a client's past history rather than simply implementing a behavioural approach for the presenting symptoms. A single session of bereavement work was effective in treating agoraphobia in an elderly lady with a history of affective disorder throughout her adult life.

Momentary time sampling (MTS) is an unbiased method of estimating the duration of time for which a behaviour occurs, unlike partial interval recording (PIR) which introduces bias. This lack of bias does not, however, permit the researcher to make the further assumption that MTS allows multiple behaviours to be monitored accurately or in a way that is sensitive to behaviour change. Further considerations of the use of MTS and PIR are discussed.

The introduction of a period of non-contingent exercise was found to have a differential effect on two challenging behaviours shown by a man with a profound learning disability. His rate of purposeless wandering was reduced, but initially there was an increase in his rate of self-injury. The implication of these results are considered with regard to the uses of ecological interventions.