ABSTRACT
Functional analysis is a key aspect of behavioural practice, and the practice of Acceptance & Commitment Therapy. It is achieved by constructing Antecedent–Behaviour–Consequence analyses and carefully looking at the consequences of specific behaviours. Based on the concept of appetitive and aversive control, any behaviour serves one of two main functions for an organism; either to approach desired stimuli, or to escape or avoid undesired stimuli. The client’s learning history strongly suggests that the act of cleaning minimises threat or danger and it occurs under aversive control. As is the case with many ‘away’ behaviours, it occurs without much flexibility or creativity, leaving little time or space for the client to explore more appetitive patterns of behaviour. The client’s behavioural repertoire is narrowed by the compelling desire to avoid feeling unsafe in the present.
