Submission by the British Association for Behavioural Psychotherapy to the Royal Commission on the National Health Service

Abstract

The British Association for Behavioural Psychotherapy is a multi-disciplinary organisation whose object is to promote the advancement of the theory and practice of behavioural psychotherapy ; that is the application of findings from experimental psychology and related sciences to the problem of helping people change those aspects of their behaviour and experience which cause them distress. The 550 members include doctors, nurses, psychologists, social workers and other professionals, who have experience in using psychological methods of promoting behaviour change in a wide variety of settings. The behavioural approach has over the last 20 years developed a significant role in the treatment of a number of problem behaviours. While recognising that behaviour is determined by a large number of factors the behavioural psychologist works largely from the view that the environment plays a large part in determining the things a person does. Its theoretical foundation argues that many behavioural disorders are learned and that these can be alleviated if the patient can be helped to learn or relearn more adaptive or acceptable behaviour. The model of intervention used can be summarised in terms of the following principles: (a) Detailed analysis of behaviour and environmental or situational circumstances associated with it. (b) Consequent identification of circumstances that facilitate or inhibit the occurence of the behaviour. (c) Clear directive goal setting in order to change or influence established behaviour patterns using a variety of therapeutic tactics, e.g., anxiety management, providing incentives for change and bio-feedback. (d) Systematic monitoring of progress as well as careful evaluation of treatment outcome. This latter point of evaluation is characteristic of the approach in that its continuing development has stemmed from a tradition of critical self-evaluation using scientific methods.