"It is sure to be an invaluable resource to scientist-practitioners during the education and training process as well as to those continuing their professional development . . . with this Handbook, we have a great resource to facilitate what is ready for translation from research to practice now. Our patients can benefit from these services now and we need a well-trained health care workforce to meet these needs."

--From the Foreword by Cynthia D. Belar, Ph.D. ABPP

The Health Psychology Handbook: Practical Issues for the Behavioral Medicine Specialist is a comprehensive yet practical volume that consolidates information needed by health psychologists working alongside other healthcare professionals. It facilitates the progression of the learner from the classroom to the clinical setting by focusing on the translation of science to practice using concrete examples.

The Handbook is divided into four major parts. Part I highlights practical issues faced by health psychologists in a medical setting (how to motivate patients, consultation-liaison, assessment and screening, brief psychotherapies, ethical issues, etc.). Part II concentrates on treating unhealthy behaviors (alcohol and nicotine use, noncompliance, overeating/obesity, physical inactivity, stress). Part III considers behavioral aspects of medical problems (pain management, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, sexual dysfunction, HIV/AIDS, irritable bowel syndrome, insomnia). And Part IV takes up special issues relevant to practice and research in the field (minority issues, women's issues, working with geriatric populations, public health approaches to health psychology and behavioral medicine).

Besides considering health problems, the handbook also discusses professional issues, such as:

• Working with a multidisciplinary staff
• Conducting research
• Evaluating outcomes
• Practicing in public health settings

The Handbook will prove an invaluable resource for those already working in the field of health psychology as well as for those in training.

--William Lovallo, University of Oklahoma & VA Medical Center 

"A handbook like this is a very valuable resource . . . The clinical focus is what is special about the Handbook."
--Lynn Kozlowski, Pennsylvania State University

Given the prevalence of substance abuse in general clinical populations, it is important for healthcare providers to have knowledge and skill in the treatment of these problems. Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) involves the integration of the best evidence with clinical expertise and patient values. This text is designed as a bridge for practitioners that will provide up-to-date evidence reviews as well as information on how to best keep up with emerging trends in the field. The editors have gathered expert authors to provide a much needed summary of the current status of the evidence based practice for both the assessment and treatment of specific substance use disorders.