This sixth book in the Prevention Practice Kit provides an introduction to evidence-based prevention in psychology. Counselors, psychologists and mental health workers in schools, government agencies, community settings, and in private practice are increasingly expected to select evidence-based practices and programs, and to document the effectiveness of the care they provide. The book addresses the types of questions that may be most pertinent to counselors, psychologists, and other mental health workers who are engaged in prevention and interested in understanding evidence-based programs, including:
- What does it mean to for a program to be evidence-based?
- How should I go about selecting an evidence-based program?
- How do I know if evidence is trustworthy?
- How do I gather evidence to evaluate my own prevention program?
The book introduces several definitions of evidence-based practice and the common components of these definitions. A broad overview of considerations for evaluating the quality and trustworthiness of prevention research is provided along with a discussion of common features of effective prevention programs. Guidance is provided on identifying evidence-based programs, including detailed descriptions of online registries of prevention programs. The book also provides recommendations for determining the need for a prevention program, selecting and implementing an appropriate program, and evaluating outcomes. Throughout the text, examples from research and practice are used to illustrate important concepts, and learning exercises at the end of each chapter augment comprehension and relevance.
This book is part of the Prevention Practice Kit: Action Guides for Mental Health, a collection of eight books each authored by scholars in the specific field of prevention and edited by Dr. Robert K. Conyne and Dr. Arthur M. Horne. The books in the collection conform to the editors′ outline to promote a consistent reading experience. Designed to provide human services practitioners, counselors, psychologists, social workers, instructors, and students with concrete direction for spreading and improving the practice of prevention, the series provides thorough coverage of prevention application including a general overview of prevention, best practices, diversity and cultural relevance, psychoeducational groups, consultation, program development and evaluation, evidence base, and public policy.
This book is endorsed by the Prevention Section of the Society of Counseling Psychology of the American Psychological Association. Fifty percent of all royalties are donated to Division 17 of the APA.
A. Michael Dougherty Ph.D. is Professor Emeritus of Counseling and former Dean of the College of Education and Allied Professions at Western Carolina University (WCU) in Cullowhee, North Carolina. During his tenure as dean, WCU’s teacher education programs were recipients of both the AASCU Christa McAuliffe Award and the ATE Distinguished Program in Teacher Education Award. He is author of Psychological Consultation and Collaboration in School and Community Settings (6th Edition, 2014) and Casebook of Psychological Consultation and Collaboration in School and Community Settings (6th Edition, 2014) both published by Brooks/Cole-Cengage Publishing Company. Dougherty has published a large number of articles on consultation and on school counseling. His major current research interests are in the area of interpersonal processes in consultation and collaboration. He has consulted, taught courses, and made presentations in a variety of international settings including Barbados, Colombia, Cypress, El Salvador, Germany, Great Britain, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Japan, and Jordan.
