Guidelines for the Systematic Treatment of the Depressed Patient

by Larry E. Beutler

From initial consultation to termination of treatment, psychologists and other mental health practitioners make a series of crucial decisions to determine the progress and therapy of the patient. These decisions have varied implications such as the clinical course of the patient, the efficacy and efficiency of the treatment, and the cost of the sessions. Thus, the decisions made by mental health professionals need to be accurate and consistent, respecting a series of guidelines that will ultimately benefit the patient. This is the first in a series of guidebooks that is designed to do just that by providing practitioners with some structure in the development of treatment programs. Previous guidelines have been based on consensus panels of experts or on the opinions of membership groups, causing guidelines to be very far off from the findings of empirical research. Here, guidelines are presented in terms of treatment principles rather than in terms of specific treatment models or
theories, and they do not favor one theory of psychotherapy over another. Instead, they define strategies and considerations that can be woven into comprehensive treatment programs. The entire series of guidebooks will cover numerous topics, including anxiety disorders, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, and treatment of serious mental disorders. This volume will cover in detail the nature of depression, issues in treatment research, contemporary treatments, and implications for education and training. It is ideal for postgraduates and professionals in the mental health field and is intended to provide important background on treatment of non-bipolar depressive disorders.

464 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Dr. Beutler received his Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska and subsequently served on the faculties of Duke University Medical Center, Stephen F. Austin State University, Baylor College of Medicine, the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, and the University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB). He currently is a Professor Emeritus at both UCSB and PAU. He is the previous Chair of the Faculty, and former Director of Clinical Training at Palo Alto University. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP), a fellow of both APA and APS, a Past President of Division 29 (Psychotherapy) and of the Society for Clinical Psychology (Division 12--clinical of APA), and a two term Past President (international) of the Society for Psychotherapy Research (SPR). Among his citations and achievements, he is a recipient of the Distinguished Career award from SPR, the Gold Medal Lecture from the American Psychological Foundation, and a Presidential citation for achievement from the APA. He has also been honored for his contributions by the States of Arizona and California. He has published over 450 scholarly articles and chapters and is the author or co-author of 25 books on psychotherapy, assessment, and psychopathology.