This article describes the Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre (EPPIC) — an innovative and comprehensive service that attempts to address the needs of older adolescents and young adults experiencing their first episode of psychosis. Some of the key theoretical concepts and philosophical tenets which underpin the service delivery model are adumbrated. Furthermore, the historical antecedents of the current service, and the “successive approximations” approach taken in developing the same, are delineated. Given the evolutionary nature of the program, the perceived future needs and developments are stipulated.

Proponents of between-group experimentation are quick to point out that parametric methods are superior to the experimental analysis of individual responses on the grounds that group statistical designs have external validity by virtue of random sampling and standardised rules and conventions for hypothesis testing. In contrast, advocates of single-case experimental designs invariably invoke the argument that a major limitation of between-group methodology is that the averaging of results masks individual differences. The data presented illustrate some strengths and weaknesses of both procedures and demonstrate that generalising from groups to individuals can be practically useless.

A home-based reinforcement programme was implemented to decrease classroom rule violations by a 16-year-old boy with a long history of disruptive behaviour in a secondary school classroom. The critical features of the intervention are described and discussed, including the fading procedure employed to maintain the behavioural gains exhibited during the programme's operation. The usefulness of minimal interventions, such as home-based reinforcement programmes, in the management of problem behaviour in schools is discussed, and comment is made on some possible benefits to behavioural practice of the collaborative style of intervention exemplified.

The assessment of sexual aggression presents many difficulties for clinicians. The tendency of offenders to minimise or deny their offending, and their frequent distrust of mental health professionals, require high levels of skill to circumvent. In addition, the multifactorial nature of rape means that assessment needs to cover a broad range of content areas and utilise a number of different methods. In this paper we suggest that a comprehensive assessment should inquire into the developmental history of rapists, social competency, attitudes and beliefs about women and sexual crimes, sexual knowledge, sexual preferences and disorders, empathy, offence variables, psychiatric history, and substance abuse. The clinical interview remains the primary method of information acquisition, and needs to be tailored to match the particular interpersonal style of rapists. The use of psychometric and physiological measures are also valuable sources of clinical data.

Anxiety and depression tend to run in families. This paper reviews some of the family processes that are implicated in the development, maintenance, and treatment of these problems in children and adolescents. Empirical studies and our theoretical review show that social learning processes within the context of intimate relationships are important in the development of anxiety and depression. Family processes have been shown to be important in the treatment of anxiety disorders but parallel evidence is lacking with regard to depression in adolescents. Two models are shown to have demonstrated explanatory power and empirical support: social learning theory and attachment theory. Examples are given of how these models can be contrasted and integrated at both clinical and theoretical levels.

Behavioural marital therapy (BMT) has developed from the application of social exchange and social learning theories to the understanding and modification of marital interaction. Encouraging high rates of exchange of positive behaviours, and training in communication skills, have been the major focuses of BMT till recently. While these strategies produce therapeutic change, there are still many couples whose marriages do not improve with this sort of therapy. Recent developments have focused on the role of cognitive, affective and situational variables in marital interaction. Outcome research has shown the value of cognitive and affective interventions in their own right, but it is unclear if the addition of these interventions will enhance the efficacy of BMT.

A comprehensive cognitive-behavioural treatment program for incarcerated child molesters is described. This program operates within Kia Marama, a medium-security unit for sex offenders in the New Zealand prison system. It lasts 32 weeks and includes a four-week assessment process both before and after the 24 weeks of intensive treatment. Treatment covers a variety of issues including distorted cognitions, sexual issues, victim empathy, social skills, problem solving, life skills, stress management, and relapse-prevention training. In addition, when offenders are released they are supervised by professionals trained in relapse-prevention procedures. As this program began in late 1989, it is too early to properly estimate its success, but similar programs in North America have produced promising outcome data, and what tentative evidence we have to date suggests that the program is valuable.

Four adult, moderately intellectually handicapped persons who lived independently in the community were trained in safe exiting from their bedrooms in the event of fire. Baseline levels of competence were low, typically less than 20% of steps correct. Training was introduced to each trainee following a multiple probe across subjects design. Failures to complete a step were followed by video prompting in which the trainee watched a video of a model (an intellectually handicapped male) demonstrate the correct performance of the step. Acquisition required at most 10 sessions, the skills transferred to another residence and to the trainee's bedroom, and were maintained at 5 weeks.

Behavioural medicine has become a popular, important and distinct field of research and clinical practice. One of the more exciting areas of behavioural medicine has been in the application of behavioural techniques to reduce cardiovascular risk-factors on a community-wide basis. Work conducted in this area highlights a key issue for the development and support of behaviour analysis and modification activities in Australia: to what extent should behavioural practitioners and their interest groups pursue a specialised, behaviour-analytic approach to the areas in which they are involved, as opposed to adopting interdisciplinary frameworks and approaches. We describe some of the activities of the Stanford Center for Research in Disease Prevention, which has been able to operate as a large, interdisciplinary organisation, guided by behavioural approaches. We also discuss some setting, provider, program and client variables relevant to research and development on health promotion and disease prevention in Australia and elsewhere.

This paper discusses current issues in the literature on marital violence. Issues in three areas are discussed from a research and clinical perspective: conceptions of marital abuse, assessment of marital aggression and issues in treatment. Although there are specific cognitive-behavioural treatments reported in the literature, a position of caution is advocated here. Before intervening there are issues that the therapist should consider carefully. (1) Assessment must first answer whether conjoint marital therapy is appropriate at all. (2) Therapists must define their own position and estimate availability of supporting resources (e.g., legal, medical) when working with abuse. (3) Although all couples should be screened routinely for the nature and frequency of their aggressive patterns, neither the sensitivity nor specificity of currently available screens is yet established. Examples of current approaches to assessing spouse abuse are presented.