A new technique for the treatment of guilt

A behavioural technique is described suitable for the treatment of patients with high levels of guilt who attempt to relieve their depression by risk-taking activities which reflect their individual wishes and fears, or who suffer anxiety due to unacceptable past behaviour. It is recommended as an alternative brief method of treatment to psychoanalysis and is based on the application of behaviour therapy to a patient's psychopathology. Three case histories are described to illustrate the principles of the technique.