This book is the second volume in the series "Current Issues in Clinical Psychology", which is designed to build into a composite text of the field of clinical psychology. The contents of the series are based on the post-qualification training conferences held each autumn in Merseyside. These events, organised by a sub-group of the training committee of the Mersey Regional Group of Clinical Psychologists, are unique in that they are the only annual psychology conferences in Britain focussing exclusively on clinical areas. The opening paper of Volume 1 of the series emphasised the importance of the present disposition towards sustained clinical training for practising psychologists. The series "Current Issues in Clinical Psychology" represents a contribution to this trend by offering practitioners an opportunity to assimilate innovations in clinical theory and practice, in the young but vigorously developing discipline of clinical psychology. In order to provide a forum for contemporary issues and also to produce complementary texts of lasting value, it has been necessary to carefully select both the theme of each symposium and contributors able to fulfill these aims.