There have been numerous books published that have dealt with psychological assessment. These books have ranged from the theoretical to the clinical. However, most of the pragmatics involved in the day-to-day activities of the psychological assessor often have been neglected in the press. In light of the above, the primary objective of Psychological Assessment in Clinical Practice is to provide the reader(students and practitioners alike) with the realities of conducting psychological assessment in clinical settings where there is not the availability of a plethora of research assistants and staff. Indeed, most individuals end up being solo practitioners or at best work in settings where they must conduct assessment themselves. This multi-authored book, then, details the specifics as to how this is done.

There have been numerous books published that have dealt with psychological assessment. These books have ranged from the theoretical to the clinical. However, most of the pragmatics involved in the day-to-day activities of the psychological assessor often have been neglected in the press.

In light of the above, the primary objective of Psychological Assessment in Clinical Practice is to provide the reader(students and practitioners alike) with the realities of conducting psychological assessment in clinical settings where there is not the availability of a plethora of research assistants and staff. Indeed, most individuals end up being solo practitioners or at best work in settings where they must conduct assessment themselves. This multi-authored book, then, details the specifics as to how this is done.

In spite of the theoretical knowledge of diagnosis and assessment, case conceptualization, and treatment planning imparted by their course instructors, most students are confused about the interrelationships of these processes in practice and are unable to apply what they have learned to the solution of thorny client problems. This book is designed to bridge the gap between classroom and clinic. In pragmatic fashion it walks beginners through the strategies needed to work with adults in outpatient settings and answers the questions they most frequently ask their clinical supervisors at the outset of their clinical apprenticeships.
Three chapters succinctly summarize the crucial general information and skills that must be reflected in a clinician's approach to any client. Then, following a standard format that facilitates understanding and comparison, experts describe specific disorders one by one and present their own illustrative cases to point the way to effective targeting.
"Diagnosis, Conceptualization, and Treatment Planning for Adults" will be an indispensable guide for mental health professionals in training who are facing their first assignments with clients.

In spite of the theoretical knowledge of diagnosis and assessment, case conceptualization, and treatment planning imparted by their course instructors, most students are confused about the interrelationships of these processes in practice and are unable to apply what they have learned to the solution of thorny client problems. This book is designed to bridge the gap between classroom and clinic. In pragmatic fashion it walks beginners through the strategies needed to work with adults in outpatient settings and answers the questions they most frequently ask their clinical supervisors at the outset of their clinical apprenticeships.
Three chapters succinctly summarize the crucial general information and skills that must be reflected in a clinician's approach to any client. Then, following a standard format that facilitates understanding and comparison, experts describe specific disorders one by one and present their own illustrative cases to point the way to effective targeting.
"Diagnosis, Conceptualization, and Treatment Planning for Adults" will be an indispensable guide for mental health professionals in training who are facing their first assignments with clients.

Understanding Research in Clinical and Counseling Psychology, Second Edition, is written and designed for graduate students in the psychology and counseling fields, for whom the value of psychological research is not always readily apparent. Contributed to by experts in their respective fields, this text presents research as an indispensable tool for practice, a tool that is used every day to advance knowledge and improve assessment, treatment choice, and client outcomes. The book is divided into four logical parts: Research Foundations, Research Strategies, Research Practice, and finally, Special Problems. Included is a chapter that addresses one of the most important controversies, the distinction between realistic and "gold standard" efficacy studies. The remainder of the book addresses salient issues such as conducting research in various cultures, operating an empirically-oriented practice, and performing research with families, children, and the elderly. Students and professors will find the coverage ample and penetrating, without being too overwhelming.

Understanding Research in Clinical and Counseling Psychology, Second Edition, is written and designed for graduate students in the psychology and counseling fields, for whom the value of psychological research is not always readily apparent. Contributed to by experts in their respective fields, this text presents research as an indispensable tool for practice, a tool that is used every day to advance knowledge and improve assessment, treatment choice, and client outcomes. The book is divided into four logical parts: Research Foundations, Research Strategies, Research Practice, and finally, Special Problems. Included is a chapter that addresses one of the most important controversies, the distinction between realistic and "gold standard" efficacy studies. The remainder of the book addresses salient issues such as conducting research in various cultures, operating an empirically-oriented practice, and performing research with families, children, and the elderly. Students and professors will find the coverage ample and penetrating, without being too overwhelming.

Mental illness in the workplace is the fastest growing source of disability claims made by employers according to a recent Federal Survey. Recently, there is increasing recognition that it is in both employer's and employee's interests to keep the employee on the job even if this involves making accommodations to the employee's disability, in terms of time off for treatment, work schedule, placement in low stress position and so forth. As a result, employers are making accommodations and employees are seeking treatment for mental disorders. The idea of this book is as a text for graduate and continuing education courses that provides resources to students and mental health professionals on work related treatment of psychopathology. Psychopathology in the Workplace: Recognition and Adaptation provides students and professionals with the background knowledge they need to contribute to this new aspect of clinical practice. The book is divided into three parts: Part I, Overview lays the foundation of the interface of psychopathology, and the workplace; presents a model of mental illness, work, and life stressors; and the basics of assessing psychopathology. Part II, Categories of Dysfunction describes the major forms of mental illness, which are apt to be found in work settings. Each chapter in this section will follow a consistent format that includes a description of the disorder, epidemiology, case illustration, assessment, referral strategies, trigger stressors at work or home, empirically based treatment plan, relapse prevention and summary. Part III, Environmental and Managerial Interventions is made up of chapters that detail what organizations can do to accommodate those withmental health needs, motivate dysfunctional employees, promote mental health in the workplace, and develop employee assistance program strategies. The book can stand alone or as an adjunct in a one-semester course or serve as the background reference for a continuing education course.

"A Psychologist's Proactive Guide to Managed Mental Health Care" offers a concise overview of the evolution of managed mental health care and its impact on the working lives of clinical and counseling psychologists. Although many books explore the ramifications of managed care for psychotherapy, this is the first to take a broad perspective and examine the ways in which the new health care delivery system is affecting all aspects of practice--not just treatment but also assessment and training--as well as mental health research. The authors include some of the country's most noted psychologists with extensive experience in managed care. Their tone is optimistic rather than pessimistic; as they look at developments others have only deplored, they see potential roles and opportunities for growth for psychologists. In an era of dramatic health change, all those practitioners who are concerned about how to make managed care work for them rather than against them, will find this "Guide" essential reading.
ALTERNATE BLURB "A Psychologist's Proactive Guide to Managed Mental Health Care" offers a concise overview of the evolution of managed mental health care and its impact on the working lives of clinical and counseling psychologists. While many books explore the ramifications of managed care for psychotherapy, this is the first to take a broad perspective and examine the ways in which the new health care delivery system is affecting "all" aspects of practice--not just treatment but also assessment and training--and mental health research as well.

In the last decade, mental health professionals have been under mounting pressure to demonstrate the cost effectiveness of their treatment choices and practices. Progress has been made, related in part to improvements and refinements in diagnostic classifications that are increasingly empirically determined and behaviorally based. Historically, however, research on the treatment of children and adolescents has lagged behind research on the treatment of adults. The growing realization that early intervention can prevent serious psychological dysfunction in adulthood has stimulated much more interest and attention in recent years, and a number of innovative and efficacious treatment strategies have been developed.
But most of these are not widely known outside the contexts of the major research programs in which they originated and were tested. Complete protocols have rarely been disseminated or replicated; descriptions are typically embedded in the "methods" sections of journal articles or briefly given in chapters of volumes addressing a diversity of problems.
The Handbook of Psychological Treatment Protocols for Children and Adolescents is the first attempt to bridge this gap between clinical research and practice. Drawing together systematic, empirically-based guidelines for accountable clinical work with children and adolescents with varying presenting problems, it is a compendium of state-of-the-art treatment manuals. Specific instructions and relevant case illustrations facilitate the practitioner's efforts to replicate the approaches.
The Handbook will be welcomed by a wide range of mental health professionals and their students.

This book offers clear and direct answers to the questions most frequently asked by students and trainees learning how to talk to clients and extract critical data from them. Its development reflects the old adage that "necessity is the mother of invention." For many years, the editors taught beginning level mental health clinicians. They found, however, no text to be satisfactory--including a number that they themselves were involved in producing. Some were too difficult; some were too simplistic; some were too doctrinaire; still others had missing elements.
Written in a reader-friendly "how-to" style, the chapters in "Basic Interviewing" are not weighed down by references. Rather, each contributor suggests readings for students and instructors who wish to pursue questions further.
After the initial overview chapter, there are 12 chapters addressing the nuts-and-bolts concerns of all clinicians that can be particularly vexing for neophytes. They cover a variety of issues from the most specific--like how to begin and end interviews--to the more general--like how to build rapport and identify targets for treatment. Throughout, rich clinical illustrations facilitate the pragmatic application of fundamental principles. Beginning graduate students in counseling and clinical psychology, social work, and other allied mental health fields, as well as psychiatric trainees, will find this text to be an indispensable companion.

This Handbook illustrates how gender, ethnicity, age, and even sexual orientation and understanding influence the health practices and risk factors for health problems in diverse groups of people. Contributions from leading researchers in psychology, health, and epidemiology provide an interdisciplinary approach to the topic. In addition to epidemiological issues, this book discusses the view that public health policy and programs must be individually tailored to specific groups to maximize their effectiveness. Part I deals with the effects of stress on the health of diverse populations. Part II of the book raises the issues of varied health risk factors and health practices for different cultural and socioeconomic groups. Part III examines specific health problems and issues common to women and men of varying ethnicity. The last section deals with the health problems of specific populations. Featuring the latest information for understanding how diverse groups of people perceive and respond to issues relating to their health, this Handbook should prove to be a valuable resource to a wide range of practitioners and researchers in psychology, medicine, psychiatry, sociology, social work, nursing, exercise science, and counseling.

"Single Case Experimental Designs"provides a clear and comprehensive introduction to the use of single case experimental designs. The purpose of this book is to provide a comprehensive sourcebook on single case experimental designs with practical guidelines for their use in a range of research and clinical settings. It is suitable for use as a textbook for a course on research methodology or clinical assessment and treatment, or as a desk reference for seasoned researchers and practicing clinicians.

This "Handbook" illustrates how gender, ethnicity, age, and even sexual orientation and understanding influence the health practices and risk factors for health problems in diverse groups of people. Contributions from leading researchers in psychology, health, and epidemiology provide an interdisciplinary approach to the topic. In addition to epidemiological issues, this book discusses the view that public health policy and programs must be individually tailored to specific groups to maximize their effectiveness.
Part I deals with the effects of stress on the health of diverse populations. Part II of the book raises the issues of varied health risk factors and health practices for different cultural and socioeconomic groups. Part III examines specific health problems and issues common to women and men of varying ethnicity. The last section deals with the health problems of specific populations.
Featuring the latest information for understanding how diverse groups of people perceive and respond to issues relating to their health, this "Handbook" should prove to be a valuable resource to a wide range of practitioners and researchers in psychology, medicine, psychiatry, sociology, social work, nursing, exercise science, and counseling.

This text provides students and professionals with the knowledge they need to treat work-related psychopathology and contribute to this new and growing aspect of clinical practice.

In the last decade, mental health professionals have been under mounting pressure to demonstrate the cost effectiveness of their treatment choices and practices. Progress has been made, related in part to improvements and refinements in diagnostic classifications that are increasingly empirically determined and behaviorally based. Historically, however, research on the treatment of children and adolescents has lagged behind research on the treatment of adults. The growing realization that early intervention can prevent serious psychological dysfunction in adulthood has stimulated much more interest and attention in recent years, and a number of innovative and efficacious treatment strategies have been developed. But most of these are not widely known outside the contexts of the major research programs in which they originated and were tested. Complete protocols have rarely been disseminated or replicated; descriptions are typically embedded in the "methods" sections of journal articles or briefly given in chapters of volumes addressing a diversity of problems. The Handbook of Psychological Treatment Protocols for Children and Adolescents is the first attempt to bridge this gap between clinical research and practice. Drawing together systematic, empirically-based guidelines for accountable clinical work with children and adolescents with varying presenting problems, it is a compendium of state-of-the-art treatment manuals. Specific instructions and relevant case illustrations facilitate the practitioner's efforts to replicate the approaches. The Handbook will be welcomed by a wide range of mental health professionals and their students.

This book offers clear and direct answers to the questions most frequently asked by students and trainees learning how to talk to clients and extract critical data from them. Its development reflects the old adage that "necessity is the mother of invention." For many years, the editors taught beginning level mental health clinicians. They found, however, no text to be satisfactory--including a number that they themselves were involved in producing. Some were too difficult; some were too simplistic; some were too doctrinaire; still others had missing elements. Written in a reader-friendly "how-to" style, the chapters in Basic Interviewing are not weighed down by references. Rather, each contributor suggests readings for students and instructors who wish to pursue questions further. After the initial overview chapter, there are 12 chapters addressing the nuts-and-bolts concerns of all clinicians that can be particularly vexing for neophytes. They cover a variety of issues from the most specific--like how to begin and end interviews--to the more general--like how to build rapport and identify targets for treatment. Throughout, rich clinical illustrations facilitate the pragmatic application of fundamental principles. Beginning graduate students in counseling and clinical psychology, social work, and other allied mental health fields, as well as psychiatric trainees, will find this text to be an indispensable companion.

Handbook of Conceptualization and Treatment of Child Psychopathology evaluates and illustrates the integration of conceptualization and treatment of child and adolescent psychopathology. Organized into seven parts, this book first discusses the issues of conceptualization and developmental considerations in treatment. Subsequent part delineates treatment models and specific interventions for disruptive behavior disorders. Parts III-VI elucidate mood, anxiety, eating and substance use disorders. The last part covers firesetting, trichotillomania, elimination disorders, schizophrenia, sleep problems, and dissociative disorders. This handbook is an educational tool for graduate students and a resource for psychologists, psychiatrists, school counselors, social workers, and other mental health practitioners who treat children and adolescents and their families.

Given the vast amount of research related to behavioral assessment, it is difficult for clinicians to keep abreast of new developments. In recent years, there have been advances in assessment, case conceptualization, treatment planning, treatment strategies for specific disorders, and considerations of new ethical and legal issues. Keeping track of advances requires monitoring diverse resources limited to specific disorders, many of which are theoretical rather than practical, or that offer clinical advice without providing the evidence base for treatment recommendations. This handbook was created to fill this gap, summarizing critical information for adult behavioral assessment.
The Clinician s Handbook of Adult Behavioral Assessment provides a single source for understanding new developments in this field, cutting across strategies, techniques, and disorders. Assessment strategies are presented in context with the research behind those strategies, along with discussions of clinical utility, and how assessment and conceptualization fit in with treatment planning. The volume is organized in three sections, beginning with general issues, followed by evaluations of specific disorders and problems, and closing with special issues. To ensure cross chapter consistency in the coverage of disorders, these chapters are formatted to contain an introduction, assessment strategies, research basis, clinical utility, conceptualization and treatment planning, a case study, and summary. Special issue coverage includes computerized assessment, evaluating older adults, behavioral neuropsychology, ethical-legal issues, work-related issues, and value change in adults with acquired disabilities. Suitable for beginning and established clinicians in practice, this handbook will provide a ready reference toward effective adult behavioral assessment."

Given the vast amount of research related to behavioral assessment, it is difficult for clinicians to keep abreast of new developments. In recent years, there have been advances in assessment, case conceptualization, treatment planning, treatment strategies for specific disorders, and considerations of new ethical and legal issues. Keeping track of advances requires monitoring diverse resources limited to specific disorders, many of which give short shrift to child assessment, overlooking developmental considerations. Much of the existing literature is either theoretical/research in focus or clinical in nature. Nowhere are the various aspects of child behavioral assessment placed in a comprehensive research/clinical context, nor is there much integration as to conceptualization and treatment planning. The Clinician's Handbook of Child Behavioral Assessment was created to fill this gap, summarizing critical information for child behavioral assessment in a single source.
The Clinician's Handbook of Child Behavioral Assessment provides a single source for understanding new developments in this field, cutting across strategies, techniques, and disorders. Assessment strategies are presented in context with the research behind those strategies, along with discussions of clinical utility, and how assessment and conceptualization fit in with treatment planning. The volume is organized in three sections, beginning with general issues, followed by evaluations of specific disorders and problems, and closing with special issues. To ensure cross chapter consistency in the coverage of disorders, these chapters are formatted to contain an introduction, assessment strategies, research basis, clinical utility, conceptualization and treatment planning, a case study, and summary. Special issue coverage includes child abuse assessment, classroom assessment, behavioral neuropsychology, academic skills problems, and ethical-legal issues. Suitable for beginning and established clinicians in practice, this handbook will provide a ready reference toward effective child behavioral assessment.

This treatment guide is based on selected disorders taken from the American Psychiatric Association DSM-IV Diagnostic Classifications. The disorders selected are treatable or responsive to brief therapy methods.
The therapist or student in training can use this book to identify the elements needed for formulating a treatment plan on disorders typically encountered in clinical practice. The approaches taken are based on cognitive behavioral principles and makes use of empirical findings. However, the case study format allows the reader to see how the assessment and treatment is implemented in a "real-life" patient, and not as a clinical abstraction distilled from research studies. Moreover, the treatment plan is outlined in a manner that makes reimbursement likely from managed care organizations and insurance companies. Effective Brief Therapies is useful as a reference for therapists and as a training guide for graduate students.
Key Features
* Case Descriptions
* Treatment Conceptualization
* Assessment Techniques
* Treatment Implementation Techniques
* Concurrent Diagnoses and Treatment
* Complications and Treatment Implications
* Dealing with Managed Care and Accountability
* Outcome and Follow-up
* Dealing with Recidivism

The three-volume Encyclopedia of Behavior Modification and Cognitive Behavior Therapy provides a thorough examination of the components of behavior modification, behavior therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, and applied behavior analysis for both child and adult populations in a variety of settings. Although the focus is on technical applications, entries also provide the historical context in which behavior therapists have worked, including research issues and strategies. Entries on assessment, ethical concerns, theoretical differences, and the unique contributions of key figures in the movement (including B. F. Skinner, Joseph Wolpe, Aaron T. Beck, and many others) are also included. No other reference source provides such comprehensive treatment of behavior modification-history, biography, theory, and application. Thematic Coverage The first of the thematic volumes covers Adult Clinical Applications. Adults are the most common population encountered by researchers, clinicians, and students, and therefore more than 150 entries were needed to cover all necessary methods. The second volume covers Child Clinical Applications in 140 entries. One especially useful aspect of this volume will be the complications sections, addressing "what can go wrong" in working with children. This is an area often overlooked in journal articles on the subject. Volume III, Educational Applications, addresses a range of strategies and principles of applied behavior analysis, positive behavior support, and behavior modification and therapy. These entries focus on classroom and school contexts in which the instructional and behavioral interactions between teachers and their learners are emphasized. Unique, Easy-to-Follow Format Each of the volumes' entries address a full range of mental health conditions and their respective treatments, with the aim of providing systematic and scientific evaluation of clinical interventions in a fashion which will lend itself to the particular style of treatment common to behavior modification. Major entries for specific strategies follow a similar format: 1. Description of the Strategy 2. Research Basis 3. Relevant Target Populations and Exceptions 4. Complications 5. Case Illustration 6. Suggested Readings 7. Key Words Biographical sketches include the following: 1. Birthplace and Date 2. Early Influences 3. Education History 4. Professional Models 5. Major Contributions to the Field 6. Current Work and Views 7. Future Plans Readership This encyclopedia was designed to enhance the resources available to students, scholars, practitioners, and other interested social science readers. The use of in-text citations, jargon, and descriptions of research designs and statistics has been minimized, making this an accessible, comprehensive resource for students and scholars alike. Academic and research librarians in the social sciences, health, and medicine will all find this an invaluable addition to their collections. Key Features Three thematic volumes and over 430 total entries Five anchor articles in each volume provide context on major issues within the field Key words and lists of suggested readings follow each entry Contributions by internationally renowned authors from England, Germany, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States Volume Editors Volume I: Adult Clinical Applications Michel Hersen & Johan Rosqvist Pacific University Volume II: Child Clinical Applications Alan M. Gross & Ronald S. Drabman University of Mississippi Volume III: Educational Applications George Sugai & Robert Horner University of Oregon Advisory Board Thomas M. Achenbach, Ph.D. Department of Psychiatry, University of Vermont Stewart W. Agras, M.D. Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Science, Stanford University School of Medicine David H. Barlow, Ph.D., ABPP Center of Anxiety and Related Disorders, Boston University Alan S. Bellack, Ph.D., ABPP Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine Edward B. Blanchard, Ph.D. Department of Psychology, University of Albany, SUNY James E. Carr, Ph.D. Department of Psychology, Western Michigan University Anthony J. Cuvo, Ph.D. Rehabilitation Institute, Southern Illinois University Gerald C. Davison, Ph.D. Department of Psychology, University of Southern California Eric F. Dubow, Ph.D. Psychology Department, Bowling Green State University Rex L. Forehand, Ph.D. Psychology Department, University of Vermont Arnold A. Lazarus, Ph.D., ABPP Center for Multimodal Psychological Services Robert P. Liberman, M.D. Department of Psychiatry, West Louisiana VA Medical Center Scott O. Lilienfeld, Ph.D. Department of Psychology, Emory University Marsha M. Linehan, Ph.D., ABPP Department of Psychology, University of Washington Nathaniel McConaghy, DSc, M.D. School of Psychiatry, University of N.S.W, Australia Rosemery O. Nelson-Gray, Ph.D. Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina, Greensboro Lars-Goeran OEst, Ph.D. Department of Psychology, Stockholms Universitet, Sweden Alan D. Poling, Ph.D. Department of Psychology, Western Michigan University Wendy K. Silverman, Ph.D. Department of Psychology, Florida International University Gail Steketee, Ph.D. School of Social Work, Boston University Douglas W. Woods, Ph.D. Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee

Introductory texts on psychological testing and evaluation historically are not in short supply. Typically, however, such texts have been relatively superficial in their discussion of clinical material and have focused primarily on the theoretical and psychometric properties of indi vidual tests. More practical, clinically relevant presentations of psychological instruments have been confined to individual volumes with advanced and often very technical information geared to the more sophisticated user. Professors in introductory graduate courses are often forced to adopt several advanced texts to cover the material, at the same time helping students wade through unnecessary technical information in order to provide a basic working knowl edge of each test. Understanding Psychological Assessment is an attempt to address these concerns. It brings together into a single volume a broad sampling of the most respected instruments in the psychologist's armamentarium along with promising new tests of cognitive, vocational, and personality functioning. Additionally, it presents the most updated versions of these tests, all in a practical, clearly written format that covers the development, psychometrics, administra tive considerations, and interpretive hypotheses for each instrument. Clinical case studies allow the reader to apply the interpretive guidelines to real clinical data, thereby reinforcing basic understanding of the instrument and helping to insure that both the student and practi tioner can actually begin to use the test. Understanding Psychological Assessment includes cognitive and personality tests for adults, children, and adolescents, as well as chapters on the theory of psychological measurement and integrated report writing.

This book could not have been conceptualized or published 20 years ago. Indeed, it is doubtful that we could have organized the material for this handbook 10 years ago. Over the last 20 years, however, the painstaking efforts of many clinical researchers working with a variety of resistive psychopathologies have resulted in specific psychotherapies and pharmacotherapies that are effective with a significant propor tion of patients, at least for some of the disorders. Much clinical research remains to be carried out in the forthcoming decades. But now that we are nearing the 21st century, at least some statement about efficacy can be made. In 1967, Gordon Paul succinctly stated that the ultimate goal of treatment outcome research is to determine "What treatment, by whom, is most effective for this individual with that specific problem, and under which set of circumstances" (p. 111). At that time, empirical evaluations of psychosocial and pharmacologic treatments were few and far between. Methodological strategies for determining treatment effectiveness were also in the formative stage, as exemplified by introduc tion of control groups that received inactive interventions (i. e. , placebo) and the relatively recent practice of comparing two or more treatments in addition to placebo. In the almost three decades since Paul's oft-quoted dictum, both the quantity and the quality of treatment outcome research with adults have increased dramati cally.

During the past several decades, the field of mental health care has expanded greatly. This expansion has been based on greater recognition of the prevalence and treatability of mental disorders, as well as the availability of a variety of forms of effective treatment. Indeed, throughout this period, our field has witnessed the introduction and the wide spread application of specific pharmacological treatments, as well as the development, refinement, and more broadly based availability of behavioral, psychodynamic, and marital and family interventions. The community mental health center system has come into being, and increasing numbers of mental health practitioners from the fields of psychiatry, psychology, social work, nursing, and related professional disciplines have entered clinical practice. In concert with these developments, powerful sociopolitical and socioeconomic forces-including the deinstitutionalization movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s and the cost-containment responses of the 1980s, necessitated by the spiraling cost of health care-have shaped the greatest area of growth in the direction of outpatient services. This is particularly true of the initial assessment and treatment of nonpsychotic mental disorders, which now can often be managed in ambulatory-care settings. Thus, we decided that a handbook focusing on the outpatient treatment of mental disorders would be both timely and useful. When we first began outlining the contents of this book, the third edition of the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disor ders (DSM-III) was in its fourth year of use."

Psychotherapy research is undoubtedly one of the most puzzling, diverse, com plex, controversial, and multidimensional areas tackled by clinical psycholo gists, psychiatrists, and psychiatric social workers. The numerous theoretical, methodological, and clinical-research issues dealt with by workers in the field have increased exponentially in the past three decades. To do full justice to the area, monographs in each of the specific subareas would be warranted. In this volume, we, as editors, have endeavored to present the student and interested professional and practitioner with an understanding of the most salient issues and trends confronted by the psychotherapy researcher. In order to accomplish this task, we asked our colleagues, who are experts in their respective areas, to share their current thinking with us and with you, the read ers. Thus, many theoretical viewpoints are represented, with none having a monopoly over the others. This is as it should be, given the data collected by clinical researchers at this time. We have also attempted to capture the excite ment that has permeated the field in the past 30 years or so."