Whilst there was a large number of primary-care staff wanting to treat psychiatrically ill children, they lacked adequate training. There was, in the past, an insufficient number of prescribable, measurable, techniques to aid any training in this field of work. This resulted in confusion and apathy amongst staff, together with long periods of treatment which often weakened family relationships.

Originally published in 1985, this book was designed to equip all professionals dealing with emotionally or behaviourally disturbed children and their families, with practical methods and techniques. It demonstrates how staff can work more effectively when each child and family being treated has a detailed treatment programme, each component of which can be readily understood and measured. The 61 techniques included in this handbook were developed over many years during the authors' experience in Canada, Hong Kong and New Zealand.