Beyond Best Practice : How Mental Health Services Can Be Better

Written by practitioners for practitioners, this empirically-grounded book offers clinicians of all backgrounds a guide to incorporating feedback and self-development strategies that will dramatically enhance their therapeutic abilities. Building on the foundation of Feedback-Informed Treatment (FIT), Beyond Best Practice explores the benefits of practicing therapy using in-the-moment client feedback, with an emphasis on ongoing, typically solitary, deliberate practice.

Chapters describe the real-world journey of an established master therapist and her agency, examining each element of FIT in detail through her eyes. Her journey is illustrated through discussions with prominent researchers, authors, former clients, as well as informative experiences outside of psychotherapy. Rich case examples of success, failure and "failing successfully" are also woven throughout, with a focus on the practical applications and skills needed to become an excellent and effective therapist and agency.

What becomes clear through the many narratives is that we can improve our services by studying the obvious and subtle forms of feedback that are available to us at all times. Beyond Best Practice emphasizes what each practitioner can do to become more effective, one client at a time. It will be essential reading for all mental health practitioners and agencies working at the front lines of medical care.

Birgit Valla is a Norwegian clinical psychologist and leader of a mental health service for children, families, adults and people with addictions and substance abuse, which is developed based upon the feedback from the people seeking help. Valla is also a writer, lecturer and public speaker.

David Prescott has worked in the field of treating sexual abuse for 34 years and has produced 18 book projects in the areas of abuse and psychotherapy. He lectures around the world is the recipient of two lifetime achievement awards from international organizations. He is a Senior Associate for the International Center for Clinical Excellence.