The Decision to Intervene: Some General and Specific Considerations

Abstract

In a clinical setting, clients are commonly referred either by their general practitioner, by other agencies (such as Educational Psychology and Social Services) or by themselves. The implication of any referral is that the referral source regards the child’s behaviour with some concern. In view of this, our decision centres not on whether intervention is required but on the focus, intensity and duration of intervention. For example, a mother may verbalise concern that her 3- year-old child exhibits tantrums 3—4 times per week. At such an age this number of tantrums is not excessive (Patterson, 1975). Our action in this example may be more appropriately focused on reassuring the parent about the relative normality of the child’s behaviour. An elaborate intervention programme focused on modifying the child’s behaviour could be detrimental, as it may serve to reinforce parent anxiety. If detailed work is considered necessary it would be more appropriately focused on modifying parent anxiety, expectations, etc.