The Handbook of Brief Therapies: A Practical Guide

This step-by-step guidebook offers a range of contemporary and popular brief treatments, suitable for a range of client groups and professional settings.


Following a comprehensive introduction to the use of brief interventions in therapeutic practice, each chapter provides an introduction to the theoretical underpinnings and evidence-based brief intervention, followed by guidance on how to implement the approaches with useful ′top tips′, worksheets and examples from practice through case vignettes illustrating its application.


The Handbook reflects current recommendations and guidelines of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and recommendations of accrediting professional bodies in the UK and US. A must have for any practitioner working to support the wellbeing of others.

Dr Sarah Parry is a Senior Clinical Lecturer in Clinical Psychology at the University of Manchester and Academic Director of the Manchester Clinical Psychology Doctorate (ClinPsyD), an NHS England-commissioned training programme. Sarah is also a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and researcher, collaborating with NHS Trusts across England to improve mental health services for children, young people, and families.

Sarah leads and contributes to a portfolio of National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)-funded studies focused on trauma-responsive care, mental health crisis services, preventative psychological interventions and reducing health inequalities. 

Sarah′s research has informed national and international policy and practice, with citations in publications produced by NICE, the Department for Education, UNESCO and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. In recognition of her contribution to child and adolescent clinical psychology, she received the British Psychological Society’s May Davidson Award in 2024.

Sarah is a Senior Fellow of Advance HE and serves on the committee of the Faculty for Children, Young People and Their Families within the British Psychological Society. She is passionate about translating psychological research into practical approaches that improve the lives of children, young people and families in children′s services.