Depression: A Primer for Practitioners

"The idea of a highly accessible resource on depression is a good one. . . It fills an important gap in the literature and represents a very helpful addition to the library of clinicians-expert and non-expert alike―who could benefit from an accessible, up-to-date primer (or refresher) in the formulation, diagnosis, and treatment of depression."

-Stephen Swallow, Ph.D., Private Practice, Oakville, Ontario

"While there have been lengthy handbooks and a variety of specialized books, I do not think anyone has had quite this idea of writing a primer. It combines research and practice in a very interesting manner. . . The up-to-date research is one of the major strengths. The authors clearly know their material and are conversant with the major findings of the field. . . It reflects a masterful knowledge of the current literature and communicates it very well."

-Ed Beckham, PH.D., Clinical Psychologist, Psychiatric Associates, Inc.

Every health care provider and mental health professional will encounter clients struggling with depression, yet many of these professionals don′t receive a thorough grounding on theory, research, and clinical guidelines regarding depression, and those who do sometimes have trouble keeping abreast of the literature (a literature that includes over 60,000 empirical publications since 1980!). This book provides a handy reference for such practitioners. This brief, practical guide provides an introduction or refresher on depression that is research-based yet accessible, practical, and easy to read and consult. 

 Steven Richards is Professor of Psychology at Texas Tech University. He has also served as department chair, counseling program director, psychology clinic director, and introductory psychology course director. Prior to his appointment at Texas Tech, Dr. Richards was on the faculty at Syracuse University and the University of Missouri-Columbia. He served as director of the clinical psychology program at Syracuse and as associate department chair and psychology clinic director at Missouri. His research interests include depression, health psychology, and stress and coping. Dr. Richards has authored approximately 50 publications on these topics and related areas. He has served as editor of SBM’s newsletter Outlook, on the editorial boards of five journals, as an ad hoc reviewer for about 30 journals, and as a principal investigator on two grants from the National Institute of Mental Health. Dr. Richards earned his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the APA-accredited program at the State University of New York at Stony Brook.

Michael G. Perri is Research Foundation Professor of Clinical and Health Psychology in the Health Science Center at the University of Florida. He has also served as area head for health psychology and as director of the psychology internship program at Florida. Prior to his appointment at Florida, Dr. Perri was on the faculty at Fairleigh Dickinson University, Indiana University, and the University of Rochester. His research interests include depression, obesity, and health psychology. Dr. Perri has authored more than 100 publications on these topics and related areas. He has served on the editorial boards of nine journals and national reporting groups, as an ad hoc reviewer for about 20 journals, and as a principal investigator or co-principal investigator on nine grants from the National Institutes of Health and other federal agencies. The American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) has certified Dr. Perri in clinical psychology. Dr. Perri earned his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the APA-accredited program at the University of Missouri-Columbia.