First published in 1991. Using actual case material, this text shows how psychological assessment contributes to the clarification of diagnostic issues and the development of an optimal treatment plan. It covers disorders usually first evident in childhood and ends with the Axis II personality disorders.

* A practical guide to effective treatment planning * Expert advice includes case examples, callout boxes, and "TestYourself" questions * Conveniently formatted for rapid reference Improve patient care through better treatment planning andmonitoring Essentials of Treatment Planning presents a clear andconcise approach to the development and use of treatment plans inbehavioral health care settings. This nuts-and-bolts guide coverssuch essential material as the role and benefits of treatmentplanning in a clinical setting, methods for conductingcomprehensive patient assessments, the use of assessmentinformation to develop the basis of individual treatment plans, andstrategies for ongoing evaluations and revisions of treatmentplans. Essentials of Treatment Planning guides you in how todevelop and use treatment plans to strengthen the entire treatmentprocess. An important component in documentation, accuratetreatment plans provide such benefits as: meeting theaccountability requirements of managed behavioral health careorganizations; allowing for more efficient coordination of carewith other health care professionals; and facilitating bettercommunication with outside reviewers. Mental health professionalsmay gain the additional security of protection from certain typesof litigation. As part of the Essentials of Mental Health Practiceseries, this book provides the information mental healthprofessionals need to practice knowledgeably, efficiently, andethically in today's behavioral health care environment. Eachconcise chapter features numerous callout boxes highlighting keyconcepts, bulleted points, and extensive illustrative material, aswell as "Test Yourself" questions that help you gauge and reinforceyour grasp of the information covered.

The United States Social Security Administration (SSA) administers two disability programs: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), for disabled individuals, and their dependent family members, who have worked and contributed to the Social Security trust funds, and Supplemental Security Income (SSSI), which is a means-tested program based on income and financial assets for adults aged 65 years or older and disabled adults and children. Both programs require that claimants have a disability and meet specific medical criteria in order to qualify for benefits. SSA establishes the presence of a medically-determined impairment in individuals with mental disorders other than intellectual disability through the use of standard diagnostic criteria, which include symptoms and signs. These impairments are established largely on reports of signs and symptoms of impairment and functional limitation. Psychological Testing in the Service of Disability Determination considers the use of psychological tests in evaluating disability claims submitted to the SSA. This report critically reviews selected psychological tests, including symptom validity tests, that could contribute to SSA disability determinations. The report discusses the possible uses of such tests and their contribution to disability determinations. Psychological Testing in the Service of Disability Determination discusses testing norms, qualifications for administration of tests, administration of tests, and reporting results. The recommendations of this report will help SSA improve the consistency and accuracy of disability determination in certain cases.

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.

"If you are interested in finding a text that creatively describes common clinical issues, this is your book! Distinguished pop-culture-in-counseling authors and educators, Schwitzer and Rubin, collaborate on this vast compilation of material to present step by step directions using often poignant vignettes within a DSM counseling paradigm. A must- read for all counselors, psychotherapists and popular culture enthusiasts!"--Thelma Duffey, Editor, The Journal of Creativity in Mental Health, University of Texas at San Antonio.

Test-based psychological assessment has been significantly affected by the health care revolution in the United States during the past two decades. Despite new limitations on psychological services across the board and psychological testing in particular, it continues to offer a rapid and efficient method of identifying problems, planning and monitoring a course of treatment, and assessing the outcomes of interventions. This thoroughly revised and greatly expanded third edition of a classic reference, now three volumes, constitutes an invaluable resource for practitioners who in a managed care era need to focus their testing not on the general goals of personality assessment, symptom identification, and diagnosis so often presented to them as students and trainees, but on specific questions: What course of treatment should this person receive? How is it going? Was it effective? New chapters describe new tests and models and new concerns such as ethical aspects of outcomes assessment. Volume I reviews general issues and recommendations concerning the use of psychological testing for screening for psychological disturbances, planning and monitoring appropriate interventions, and the assessing outcomes, and offers specific guidelines for selecting instruments. It also considers more specific issues such as the analysis of group and individual patient data, the selection and implementation of outcomes instrumentation, and the ethics of gathering and using outcomes data. Volume II discusses psychological measures developed for use with younger children and adolescents that can be used for the purposes outlined in Volume I; Volume III, those developed for use with adults. Drawing on the knowledge and experience of a diverse group of leading experts--test developers, researchers, clinicians and others, the third edition of The Use of Psychological Testing for Treatment Planning and Outcomes Assessment provides vital assistance to all clinicians, and to their trainees and graduate students.

This user-friendly book helps clinicians of any theoretical orientation meet the challenges of evidence-based practice. Presented are tools and strategies for setting clear goals in therapy and tracking progress over the course of treatment, independent of the specific interventions used. A wealth of case examples illustrate how systematic treatment planning can enhance the accountability and efficiency of clinical work and make reporting tasks easier--without taking up too much time. Special features include flowcharts to guide decision making, sample assessment tools, sources for a variety of additional measures, and instructions for graphing client progress. Ideal for busy professionals, the book is also an invaluable text for graduate-level courses and clinical practica.