Citation:
Kress, V. E., & Paylo, M. J. (2015). Treating those with mental disorders: A comprehensive approach to case conceptualization and treatment. Columbus, Ohio: Pearson.

Reviewer:
Matthew Paylo

Category:
Book by CSI author

Genre: Professional

CACREP Core Area:
Professional orientation & ethical practice

Subject Headings:
Anxiety disorders
Bipolar disorder
Depression
Eating disorders
Learning disorder
Multicultural/cross-cultural issues
Personality disorders
PTSD
Self-injurious behavior
Substance abuse-alcohol
Substance abuse-drugs

Review:

Treating Mental Disorders: A strength-based, comprehensive approach to case conceptualization and treatment planning offers students in counseling, social work, psychology, and marriage and family therapy programs with a strength-based, comprehensive framework for conceptualizing and treating clients who have mental disorders. The text provides updated information consistent with changes in the DSM-5. This textbook is consistent with the 2009 CACREP standards’ emphasis upon thorough training in evidence-based treatment practices. Treating Mental Disorders has a distinct focus upon enhancing counselors’ case conceptualization and treatment planning skills, which are often cited as underdeveloped in neophyte counselors.

Treating Mental Disorders is written in a way that is easy to read and applicable to practice settings. It is also unique in the way that it explores the various issues that counselors face in practice (e.g., managed-care systems, reimbursement, etc.), and Voices from the Trenches sections are included that provide clinician perspectives. This text also reviews best practices for treatment planning and case conceptualization. The authors developed the “I-CAN-START” model for case conceptualization and treatment planning, which has a special focus upon client strengths and cultural context.

Each chapter begins with a case study that illustrates a disorder covered within the chapter to facilitate a more comprehensive conceptualization of the diagnosis. The I-CAN-START model is applied to each case study within the chapters to emphasize the core components of the model and provide an example for students. Chapters also contain Creative Toolbox and Clinical Toolbox activities that are evidence-based and structured in a way that lends them to immediate use in practice. The chapters follow a consistent format to facilitate ease of use. Appendices are also included that provide assessment measures and other helpful tools to explore client strengths and resources in treatment.