Review
"This is one of the most importanat books any clinician or teacher can possess. It is a reference book and should ideally not be read straight through. On the contrary, it is one to be referred to on a regular bases as difficulties occur in therapy or as new approaches are learned. Students in clinical training programs could also benefit from it greatly, although the sheer density of information is daunting. In any event, it's a book not to be missed by a serious psychologist."--Journal of Cognitive Therapy
"...this is a comprehensive, well-organized reflection of present day BT, serving the needs of neophyte clinicians and experienced behavior therapists alike. Ample case material plus engaging dialogue make this reader-friendly handbook an ideal graduate-student text....One final plus, especially for the graduate student, with all their limitations the newer BT therapies are given due prominence in this very up-to-date handbook. It is hard to imagine a more expert panel and at $65.00, this handbook is well worth the investment."--Child & Family Behavior Therapy
"For the beginning therapist, the chapters offer a window into the methods of assessment and treatment used by these experts and a sense of the complexity of the work. For the more seasoned, the book offers an update exploring some new areas in which cognitive-behavioral treatment has proved useful....[It] should find a place in not only training general psychiatrists, but also for those in other disciplines who need to be more knowledgeable about this important field of theory and treatment."--Academic Psychiatry
"The second edition is....an essential volume for the library of any clinician who wants a well-written, concise, and practical guide to the treatment of a variety of clinical problems....topnotch, practical and well worth the reasonable cost of this volume."--Child & Family Behavior Therapy
"This revised and updated second edition will be a valuable reference for the practicing clinician, psychologist in training, and graduate students in counseling psychology."--BIOSIS
"This is the second edition of a highly informative book on psychotherapeutic treatment of various psychological disorders. Dr. Barlow's intent is to provide detailed descriptions of treatment protocol in which experienced clinicians implement the technology of behavior change in 12 frequently encountered disorders. This book has masterfully accomplished that task....In the age of managed care, this book begins to address the issue of treating several psychological disorders in short-term therapy with positive outcome. It is an extremely helpful and user-friendly addition to the clinician's reference library and offers an immense amount of information about effective treatments that can be applied by the beginning clinician and the seasoned therapist."--American Journal of Psychiatry
"The authors are genuine experts in their areas....The chapters, while providing step by step guidance on treatment, with illustrative transcripts, also provide good theoretical overviews and reviews of the outcomke literature. Detailed comments are given on assessment methods and instruments, and all chapters give up-to-date references."--Behavioral Research and Theory
"The editor's usual high standards have ensured that there is no chapter that fails to meet the strictest requirements of an up-to-date, sound treatment oriented discussion of the subject....this is a first rate volume that will provide excellent guidance to therapists dealing with psychological disorders for several years to come. Trainees and experienced practitioners alike will find this an invaluable resource. And, for a book of this size and quality, it is a bargain at the asking price."--Behavioral Research and Theory
"This is one of those mega-books that is sure to find a place in all clinical libraries...this will become a well known and well used reference book for clinicians and researchers alike. The quality of the writing and layout is excellent. Moreover, for this piece one could not find better value for money."--British Journal of Psychiatry -- Review
Review
"I consider this handbook to be an invaluable fixture in the field of psychological treatment. This was the text I read in graduate school, and it gave me a useful roadmap in my own training in clinical psychology. I know of no other book that brings together research and clinical practice in such a cogent and readable manner. I have recommended this book to graduate students and have used it as a text in an undergraduate course that introduces evidence-based practice in psychology. Although it is more of a graduate text, it has given my students a glimpse into how clinicians actually apply treatments that have empirical support. Several students have remarked that my course 'changed the way they think about treatment,' and I believe this book played a role."--Alexander L. Chapman, PhD, Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University
"In preparing graduate-level social workers to use CBT in their field practica, I have found this book to be extremely useful. Covering a range of psychological disorders, each chapter outlines the sequential steps of treatment; clarifies the multiple treatment components; provides a detailed, relevant case study; and presents the empirical evidence supporting the latest CBT treatment. This is one of the most valuable reference books a clinician can have in her or his library."--Nancy Grote, PhD, MSW, Assistant Professor, School of Social Work; Fellow, Center for Mental Health Services Research, University of Pittsburgh
"I have used the previous editions of this Handbook in my graduate survey course in psychosocial intervention, and certainly intend to continue with the third edition. The chapters, written by acknowledged clinical researchers and practitioners, are unique in combining careful theorizing, a strong empirical focus, and a sophisticated appreciation of clinical applications. The volume offers a true scientist/n-/practitioner approach to understanding the nature and amelioration of psychological disorders. The creative challenges of moving from theoretical abstractions and research data to humane, practical clinical interventions are spelled out in persuasive and vivid detail. As with earlier editions, my students and I are grateful for the publication of this classic--yet new and innovative--work."--Gerald C. Davison, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of Southern California.
"This is an outstanding resource for practicing clinicians and graduate students in the mental health professions. Like the previous editions, the third edition provides a wealth of information about the diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders. The book will be especially valuable to graduate students as they struggle to make the transition from the classroom to the clinic. Our Counseling Psychology Program has used the previous editions of this book in counseling practica and advanced intervention courses and students were overjoyed to find a book that helped them understand how to put these theories into practice. I have told psychology graduate students and psychiatry residents that if they could buy only one book on psychotherapy, this was the one to buy."--Leonard A. Doerfler, PhD, Professor and Director, Counseling Psychology Program, Assumption College,Worcester, MA
"As empirical evidence grows and grows that psychosocial therapies are effective, the need for comprehensive treatment manuals to guide clinicians is ever greater. Barlow is clearly the leader not only in developing effective psychotherapies, but in educating the profession and the public about how to use them. Here, he has assembled a cast of some of the most impressive figures in psychosocial interventions to provide us with this most welcome and very comprehensive guide."--Jack M. Gorman, MD, Lieber Professor and Vice-Chair for Research, Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University
"Barlow, in his excellent Clinical Handbook, makes the ongoing case for both the art and the science of psychotherapy....Barlow's Clinical Handbook is unique for a behavioral text in that it uses previously eschewed formats and is organized around DSM-IV diagnoses. Each chapter presents epidemiological data regarding the given pathology and addresses patient and therapist variables as well as treatment settings. Comorbidities with other disorders are also detailed."--Brief Treatment and Crisis Intervention
"This is one of the most important books any clinician or teacher can possess. It is a reference book and should ideally not be read straight through. On the contrary, it is one to be referred to on a regular basis as difficulties occur in therapy or as new approaches are learned. Students in clinical training programs could also benefit from it greatly, although the sheer density of information is daunting. In any event, it's a book not to be missed by a serious psychologist."--Journal of Cognitive Therapy
"...this is a comprehensive, well-organized reflection of present day BT, serving the needs of neophyte clinicians and experienced behavior therapists alike. Ample case material plus engaging dialogue make this reader-friendly handbook an ideal graduate-student text....One final plus, especially for the graduate student, with all their limitations the newer BT therapies are given due prominence in this very up-to-date handbook. It is hard to imagine a more expert panel and at $65.00, this handbook is well worth the investment."--Child & Family Behavior Therapy
"For the beginning therapist, the chapters offer a window into the methods of assessment and treatment used by these experts and a sense of the complexity of the work. For the more seasoned, the book offers an update exploring some new areas in which cognitive-behavioral treatment has proved useful....[It] should find a place in not only training general psychiatrists, but also for those in other disciplines who need to be more knowledgeable about this important field of theory and treatment."--Academic Psychiatry
"The second edition is....an essential volume for the library of any clinician who wants a well-written, concise, and practical guide to the treatment of a variety of clinical problems....topnotch, practical and well worth the reasonable cost of this volume."--Child & Family Behavior Therapy
"This revised and updated second edition will be a valuable reference for the practicing clinician, psychologist in training, and graduate students in counseling psychology."--BIOSIS
"This is the second edition of a highly informative book on psychotherapeutic treatment of various psychological disorders. Dr. Barlow's intent is to provide detailed descriptions of treatment protocol in which experienced clinicians implement the technology of behavior change in 12 frequently encountered disorders. This book has masterfully accomplished that task....In the age of managed care, this book begins to address the issue of treating several psychological disorders in short-term therapy with positive outcome. It is an extremely helpful and user-friendly addition to the clinician's reference library and offers an immense amount of information about effective treatments that can be applied by the beginning clinician and the seasoned therapist."--American Journal of Psychiatry
"The authors are genuine experts in their areas....The chapters, while providing step by step guidance on treatment, with illustrative transcripts, also provide good theoretical overviews and reviews of the outcomke literature. Detailed comments are given on assessment methods and instruments, and all chapters give up-to-date references."--Behavioral Research and Theory
"The editor's usual high standards have ensured that there is no chapter that fails to meet the strictest requirements of an up-to-date, sound treatment oriented discussion of the subject....this is a first rate volume that will provide excellent guidance to therapists dealing with psychological disorders for several years to come. Trainees and experienced practitioners alike will find this an invaluable resource. And, for a book of this size and quality, it is a bargain at the asking price."--Behavioral Research and Theory
"This is one of those mega-books that is sure to find a place in all clinical libraries...this will become a well known and well used reference book for clinicians and researchers alike. The quality of the writing and layout is excellent. Moreover, for this piece one could not find better value for money."--British Journal of Psychiatry
Being a struggling graduate student, I have a tendency to sell my text books at the end of each semester. This one I am holding on to. I have found it to be an excellent resource and a practically written treatment guide. Getting familiar with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) is not only intimidating, it can also seem sterile. Diagnosis is the first step, but the DSM-IV left me feeling at a loss when it came time to develop a treatment plan. Barlow does a wonderful job of clarifying several of the most common DSM-IV disorders. In addition to that he has brought together experts on each disorder who contribute their clinical experience and case studies outlining Cognitive Therapy based treatment plans. Putting theories into practice is one of the most challenging tasks a student has to face, this book has really made cognitive theory come to life for me.
If I had to choose one book from all that is published on treatment issues-this would be the one. I have three reasons: DEPTH AND BREADTH: Each chapter has a surprising blend of information on both the clinical issue at hand as well as the treatment approach-a combination that is often absent in other treatment manuals. PRACTICAL MATERIAL: In general, the treatment descriptions are detailed enough that each approach can be implemented alone or as a supplement in a clinical setting. Furthermore, the clinical vignettes accurately describe therapy as an individually tailored activity and not as a sterile and mechanical process-a criticism that some treatment manuals deserve. EMPIRICAL SUPPORT: Linking clinical practice to well-researched therapies is imperative. While there is a flurry of empirically supported treatment manuals around now, purchasing only a few of them can quickly strain one's budget. Considering all that is contained in this book, I consider it a bargain.
I am currently using this book as a supplemental text for a course in Psychopathology I am taking at Cleveland State University.
The explanations of the various disorders are sometimes dense for the beginning graduate student, yet there is much to learn as each chapter not only discusses the etiology, but also various treatment approaches for each illness.
Would I recommend this book? Depends on what kind of student you are. If you are the type who is interested in learning only what is necessary to get through a course, this book will bore you. But if you are looking for a resource that will take you deeper, and be useful to you long after you leave grad school, then I would invest the money. Having a well-stocked professional library is essential to good practice. This book should be on that is on your shelf.