This brief article introduces a two-part series of special issues of Behaviour Change on the cognitive-behavioural treatment of schizophrenia. Two pervasive myths about schizophrenia inhibit effective psychological treatment and rehabilitation: (1) that schizophrenia inevitably has poor outcome, and (2) that drugs are effective in the management of schizophrenia. Neither of these myths is supported by available data. A stress–vulnerability model is described which provides a framework for understanding the variability in outcome of schizophrenia, and for conducting cognitive-behaviour therapy.

This paper is a review of studies on psychological treatments for positive psychotic symptoms, and a detailed description of two of these studies, the Manchester Symptom Project, which aimed to decrease positive symptoms by training patients in effective coping strategies, and the Liverpool Auditory Hallucination project, which aimed to provide a cognitive-behavioural treatment for individuals with persistent and distressing voices. The results from these studies indicate that enduring positive symptoms which have not responded to neuroleptic medication can be effectively treated by psychological methods.

Cognitive-behavioural family interventions for major mental disorder have undergone significant refinement over recent years. This paper reviews the current techniques for assessing mental disorder in the family. The initial task of the therapist is to undertake a comprehensive family assessment, including an assessment of their stress management. Specific information must be obtained about each family member's view of the presenting problems, interaction within the family system, and function in settings outside the family, as well as the family's effectiveness in problem solving and quality of life. Key goals of cognitive-behavioural family therapy are personal goal setting, education, and communication training that enhance the efficiency of family problem solving. The efficiency of cognitive-behavioural therapies in treating major mental disorders is also reviewed in relation to the family's ability to achieve specific goals in therapy and to modify the outcome of major mental illness. Particular attention is given to the strengths and weaknesses of the research, and to possible future research directions. Cognitive-behavioural family interventions are found to be effective in reducing clinical, social, and family morbidity.

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.

Schizophrenic patients seem to react sensitively to expressed affect. Expressed emotion research has shown the negative impact of specific family communication styles on the course of illness. This paper reviews and discusses related research on the therapist–patient relationship. Two studies by the author are presented. The first study is an examination of therapist rating of the therapist–patient relationship, the interaction between therapist's ratings and patient's psychopathology, and the prediction of the course of illness from therapist ratings. The second study assesses the therapist–relative–patient triad using EE measures, as well as dyadic assessment of the therapist–patient relationship.

This controlled treatment-outcome study compared the effects of behavioural parent training (BPT) and standard dietary education (SDE) on the mealtime interaction, feeding behaviour, nutritional status, and adjustment of children with feeding disorders. Participants were 20 children (aged between 18 months and five years) with persistent feeding difficulties, and their families. Children underwent initial screening (involving medical assessment, behavioural observation of mealtime interaction, nutritional intake analysis, and self-report measures of parent and child adjustment) and were randomly assigned to BPT or SDE. Results indicated that children in both treatment conditions showed improvement on the child behaviour measures (e.g. food refusal, disruptive behaviour during mealtimes) at home and in mealtime observations in the clinic. Children in both conditions also showed an increase in the variety of foods sampled by follow-up. Following treatment, mothers who received BPT showed more positive mother–child interaction during mealtimes, and both parents were more satisfied with treatment than parents in SDE. Mothers in both conditions showed slight elevations in mood at posttest and follow-up, and increased marital satisfaction at posttest (which decreased by follow-up). All other treatment effects were maintained at a three- to four-month follow-up assessment.