Clinical Practice of Cognitive Therapy with Children and Adolescents: The Nuts and Bolts

by Robert D. Friedberg, Jessica M. McClure

An ideal teaching text or practitioner reference, this book offers a complete introduction to doing cognitive therapy with children and adolescents. A systematic yet flexible approach to case conceptualization and treatment planning is presented. The authors review the essentials of orienting children and families to cognitive therapy, structuring each session, and implementing commonly used cognitive and behavioral techniques. Concluding chapters describe strategies for addressing specific clinical problems: depression, anxiety, and disruptive behavior.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, School, Counselling, Mental Health, Childrens

354 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Don · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might very well be the best practical guide for doing CBT with children. The writing is perspicuous, and the authors share techniques that actually work. Many similar books contain great ideas but ideas which must be modified. You read these works and think, "Oh, that's a cool technique, but who would present it to a child in that way? Has this author ever actually talked a child?" And you're left with the impression that the author is some ivory tower type who gets all awkward around children. But Friedberg and McClure have been in the field, and it is their mastery of the nuances of therapy (the nuts and bolts) which make this book invaluable.

[Meg]

It is quite clear and helpful for those interested in doing this kind of therapy with children; very practical and readable thus far.

[Kasey · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me 2 years to finish. Probably because I had a lot going on. By the time I got around to this, I was already well versed in CBT. However, this focuses more on the "C". It served as a very nice refresher, with more than a dozen practical applications/worksheets/activities to illustrate the skills described. I know this is targeted for therapy interventions for children and adolescents... but some of the core beliefs that contribute to mental illnesses are addressed in this book - so some of the interventions would actually be applicable to pretty much any age. Now, can we get an updated version with teletherapy specific interventions? 😆 I, unfortunately, cannot throw a paper ball to my client through a computer screen....

All jokes aside, Dr. Bob is the holy grail of CBT. He knows his stuff. I'm glad I FINALLY got around to reading this. Honestly I think it is a book that should be required during graduate studies, especially since CBT is such a highly evidence-based treatment modality.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read on CBT once I got into it.

[❀ Diana ❀ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the best book I've read so far on the aspect of working with kids, preteens and teens. Most of the working sheets will be made use of in my practice as well. :)

[Bryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the target audience for the book is practitioners, the format is completely approachable for the layperson. There are plenty of concrete examples and example dialogs. Techniques are big on using the Socratic method.

CBT discussion techniques are also practical as parenting tools for coaching and getting children to examine the connections between their feelings, thoughts, and actions.

[Chris Pawluk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read on CBT once I got into it.