As we begin our second year published by Cambridge University Press, it is clear that this has been a tremendous development. The extra space has been put to good use, and feedback on the new format has been extremely positive. In 1999 we will work with the Press to develop parallel electronic/web based publication of the journal. More details of that soon.

Rosen, Lohr, McNally and Herbert’s (1998) arguments directed at the so-called “Power Therapies” and, in particular, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) are examined. It is suggested that their paper does not adequately review the available research data and, therefore, draws unwarranted conclusions. Based on published controlled studies it is concluded that there is evidence to support the use of EMDR in the treatment of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Poole, de Jongh and Spector ask for empirical research rather than emotive arguments when evaluating EMDR. When one applies this standard, Poole et al.’s remaining points are devoid of substance. EMDR, like other Power Therapies, is a “miracle” cure that has failed.

The debate conducted in this journal and elsewhere on the effectiveness of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is characterized by incredulity, fervent belief and emotion. Theorists and clinical pragmatists, not to mention the “discovers” of EMDR, have often taken up oppositional stances that impede rationale debate. Whilst some may be offended by the overt commercialism and messianic fervour of the EMDR lobby, the best response is to engage in dialogue, collaboration and scientific experiment. These experiments should combine the best randomized clinical trial methods with experimental deconstruction of the complex mix that now comprises EMDR. Those who have developed EMDR should cease the commercial and empirical protectionism that has characterized the EMDR movement and open their methods to such investigation by the healthily sceptical.

A one year follow-up is reported of a randomized clinical trial with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in which the main comparison was between analytic psychotherapy (AP) and cognitive therapy (CT), each delivered at weekly or fortnightly intervals over a six month period. CT was found to be significantly more effective than AP. However, GAD is a chronic and relapsing condition and follow-up data are needed to assess the durability of improvement and the possibility that the benefits of analytic psychotherapy may be more apparent over the longer term. Data were collected in three areas: (1) symptomatology and overall improvement; (2) medication usage and contact with GPs; and (3) attitudes to therapy. CT was clearly superior to AP on the main outcome measures and only a minority of AP patients made significant improvements. CT but not AP was associated with significant reductions in medication usage, and patients receiving CT were generally more positive about treatment received. Differences between treatments were less evident in the less intensive treatment condition where overall results were relatively poor. The most positive outcomes were achieved in the more intensive CT condition in which approximately two-thirds of patients achieved clinically significant improvements.

The potential uses of the Internet to behavioural and cognitive psychotherapists and researchers are manifold. This article summarizes what the Internet is, how to connect to it, searching the Web, on-line publishing, discussion forums, chat-rooms, literature searching, transfer of documents and creating a web-site. It considers the potential of Internet technology in therapy and enhancing patient/therapist contact. A web page containing links to many of the sites referred to in this article as well as additional links and resources is accessible through the BABCP website (www.babcp.org.uk).

The efficacy of CBT for psychosis will be enhanced by a greater understanding of the mechanisms underlying symptoms. Therefore, an investigation is reported that examined a role for a neglected factor, anxiety, in the maintenance of delusional beliefs. It was hypothesized that processes responsible for chronic worry, as detailed by Wells’ (1994a) meta-cognitive model, contribute to delusional distress. Questionnaire measures of anxiety, chronic worry and of meta-worry and related processes were administered to individuals with persecutory delusions (N=15) and individuals with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) (N=14). Evidence was found for the presence of dysfunctional meta-cognitive processes in the clinically anxious group, which adds to the growing support for the model of GAD. Moreover, it was found that many of the individuals with persecutory delusions had high levels of general worry, and the factors implicated in the meta-cognitive model of anxiety were also present in this group. The results indicated that delusional distress is not simply related to content but is associated with whether the individual experiences meta-worry concerning the control of delusion-relevant worries, that is, whether he or she worries about not being able to control thoughts about the belief. This is the first theoretical development of the important dimension of delusional distress.

The present paper aimed (1) to review the literature to examine the effectiveness of CBT as treatment for PDA and (2) to evaluate whether the efficacy of CBT treatments is related to the change to cognitive processes that are postulated to be important in the cognitive models of PDA. A literature review of CBT studies in the area of PDA was conducted using both descriptive and quantitative (meta-analysis) procedures. In all, 35 studies published between 1969 and 1996 were included. The results show that CBT is an effective treatment for PDA. However, the contribution of cognitive processes to this disorder and the role that they play in the successful outcome of CBT remain unclear and in need of further empirical investigation. At present, CBT treatment provides limited support to validate the cognitive models of PDA.

Where a behaviour has been maintained on a variable schedule of reinforcement theoretically it should be possible to reduce resistance to extinction by first putting the behaviour onto a continuous schedule of reinforcement. This approach has been employed in animal research but rarely with human participants, and where it has, with little success. This study describes the use of the approach to overcome some minor problems in the behaviour of young children, the problems being sufficiently troublesome for the parents to consult their GP. All the families who used the approach were successful in remediating the behaviour. Some reasons for this success, in contrast with the disappointing outcomes of some of the earlier research, are discussed. Although the study lacks formal controls it is suggested that the approach could be usefully applied to other common childhood behaviours that have been subjected to variable reinforcement.