Case Studies in Self-management: Valuable Learning Experiences

Abstract

Four self-management exercises completed by advanced psychology students as part of their course of instruction are summarised. The cases illustrate the level of sophistication of clinical replications that can be attempted in a semester unit. These cases were chosen because they targeted long-standing serious problems which none of the students thought would be responsive to behavioural-cognitive techniques applied by themselves. The problems were nocturnal bruxism, excessive urinary frequency, unassertiveness, and dog phobia. All were successful in meeting the initial therapeutic objectives that had been set, but gains were not maintained in the cases of bruxism and excessive urinary frequency. The value and problems associated with self-management exercises as a teaching tool are discussed.