ABSTRACT
This chapter shows how to analyse the function of a behaviour and then how to change it. It focuses on contextual behavioural therapy, functional analysis. A useful place to start is with the Wheel of Experience, and it is often easiest to do one wheel for before the behaviour and one wheel for after. In general, the experience of analysing a target behaviour is unpleasant for a client, provoking urges to avoid the task and shame, as well as triggering the aversive emotions that occurred at the time. Validation, where the therapist guesses the emotions, thoughts, behaviours and body sensations of the client, can be very useful during chain analysis. Ruth’s therapist was willing to take coaching calls and was supported by a multi-disciplinary team who could organise admission if the therapist could not secure agreement to keep safe.
