Psychotherapy, Counselling, and Primary Mental Health Care

How can psychotherapists, counsellors and medical practitionersbest determine the most appropriate treatment for individualpatients in primary care? The growth of counselling and therapy inprimary care has been accompanied by pressure for shorter-term,brief treatments and evidence-based, managed care. Mary Burtonexamines these issues in detail, and the main focus is on thepractical assessment of patients and the selection of appropriatetreatment within the real world of service provision. This book isaimed at psychotherapists, counsellors, clinical psychologists andpsychiatrists in primary care, as well as general practitioners andservice managers with a serious interest in delivering bestpractice for their patients. They will find here:

* a review of the major issues in counselling and psychotherapy inprimary care

* a survey of the main psychotherapeutic approaches and the outcomeevidence relating to their application in clinical practice

* a critical appraisal of the role of managed care and brieftherapies in primary mental health care

* a useful, practical guide to assessment and to treatment andevaluation, illustrated extensively with case material and clinicalvignettes

"The author, with many years of experience as a therapist in theNational Health Service, has successfully provided the vital bridgeto aid shared understanding. The arguments for short and long termtherapy, treatment modality and the role of assessment, which isvital for safe, effective practice, are covered in depth. . We havewaited a long time for this book, and I am sure it will remain thestandard text for many years to come." From the Foreword by DrGraham Curtis Jenkins Director, Counselling in Primary Care Trust"Mary Burton has clearly summarised many of the most complex issuesconcerning psychological therapies in the Health Service--fromapproaches to assessment to selection of outcome measures.Scholarly yet easy to read, this outstanding book could hardly bemore timely. It will be of utmost relevance to all concerned withpsychotherapy and counselling in public services, whether they beproviders or purchasers or researchers." Phil Mollon, Head ofClinical Psychology and Adult Psychotherapy Services ListerHospital, Stevenage