There has been considerable variability in couples' responsiveness to Behavioural Marital Therapy. Many practitioners consider that the instrumental emphasis of this approach is too narrow and that there is a need for theoretical expansion. The perceptions and interpretations that partners place on each other's behaviour are critical: as such the behavioural model has been expanded, with consideration being given to the cognitive components within dyadic relationships.

A case of “checking” obsessive compulsive neurosis in a young adult is described. It's evolution is traced from early behaviour viewed as adaptive to partial sightedness which becomes maladaptive when autonomous obsessions and rituals develop. The concepts of “preparedness” and “self-stimulatory behaviour” amongst others are used to examine possible reasons for this change. The relevance to more usual cases where no predisposing handicap exists is discussed.

Discharged psychiatric patients at a large community residence were noted to be experiencing increased agitation, anger and anxiety in connection with repeated vandalism and unauthorized visits by members of the surrounding community. An intervention based on behavioral concepts and technology was formulated utilizing many parts of the social matrix of the residence, including clinical staff, direct care staff and the residents. Resident behavior was successfully changed as a result of the intervention. It appears that behaviorally based, clinical-administrative solutions to “real world” problems can be effective in teaching passive, chronic mental patients safety conscious behavior and helping them to assume responsibility for their community-based living space.

The Functional Performance Record (FPR) identifies and provides a means of recording the actions, behaviour and functioning of those whose independence is reduced either permanently or for prolonged periods by physical or mental or psychiatric disabilities. It is for use in goal setting, evaluating outcomes, monitoring standards of care, service planning and research.

Three years following the initial behavioral—cognitive treatment for a case of writer's block with his Master's thesis, the subject was faced with writing his doctoral dissertation. Without the prompt or assistance of the original therapist, the subject used the task analysis, chaining, distraction control, and reinforcement procedures to successfully complete the writing project, although without using a formal work schedule. The subject's perceptions of these techniques and their effectiveness during the writing of the dissertation are presented and discussed.

Psychological treatments of headache are becoming increasingly influenced by cognitive therapy. This paper addresses three issues relevant to the development and evaluation of cognitive therapy. 1. It is argued that current assessment measures for evaluating treatment are founded on a theory of pain which is inadequate and as a result they are not sufficient for the evaluation of cognitive therapy. 2. The assumptions on which cognitive therapy for headache is based have not been verified. Recent research indicates a degree of complexity in the relationships between cognition, emotion and pain which has yet to be assimilated. 3. It is noted that cognitive therapy for headache lacks an explicit model of pain which would facilitate the precise formulation and testing of interventions.

A behaviour-therapeutic approach in a case of chronic insomnia is illustrated. Based on research reported in the literature the treatment programme consists of sleep-related interventions as well as of training in coping with conditions which influence sleep negatively. Data on the short- and long-term effects of therapy, especially during the follow-up period of two years, are discussed.

This paper presents a single case study of an epileptic hostel resident who presented behavioural problems in the form of high frequency pseudoepileptic seizures in association with an attention-seeking personality. Psychological intervention along behavioural lines was found to be lastingly effective in reducing the frequency of these seizures and generalized improvements were obtained in other areas of social skill. The results are discussed with reference to suggested implications for clinical practice.