Health visitors' ratings of their role, competence, methods and effectiveness in resolving each of seven common types of preschool behaviour problem were obtained both prior to attending a behavioural training workshop and about 9 months later. At follow-up a structured interview examined their current practice in relation to preschool behaviour problems. Results suggest that these experienced health visitors perceived themselves as reasonably self-sufficient in dealing with these problems prior to training. Training had a significant but consolidating effect on these views. Possible mismatches between the health visitor's view of herself as a behaviour change agent and her training experiences in behavioural methods are examined and some suggestions are made regarding future liaison between health visitors and clinical child psychologists.