A Psychologist's Casebook: Cases from Practice Used to Support Teaching Mental Health Practitioners

Drawing on examples from clinical practice, this book presents evidence‑based psychological principles in an applied context to support effective practice in the helping professions.

This book takes a narrative approach, presenting a collection of individual cases to complement the traditionally theory‑heavy education and training of mental health professionals. It demonstrates easy to learn, practical skills found invaluable in supporting and treating a broad range of clients, from pre‑verbal children to the elderly. The case examples are designed to encourage and motivate a more comprehensive understanding of general psychological terms, which is further supported by callouts, reflection prompts, and extension exercises. Rich with examples from the authors’ many years of clinical psychology practice and graduate teaching, this book is written for students and practitioners alike.

Esther M. Roodenburg is a former academic at Monash University, Australia, who remains committed to community involvement. After secondary teaching, and raising five children, she continued her work as a community‑based psychologist, completing a qualitative PhD researching individual differences. Her university graduate teaching and supervision focused on broad case‑based practical applications of evidence‑based therapeutic approaches.

John Roodenburg was awarded the 2020 APS National Award of Distinction for leadership in Educational and Developmental Psychology while an academic and clinic director at Monash University. Primary school teaching was followed by work as a school psychologist in rural Victoria. Graduate‑level teaching followed his completion of a PhD modelling individual differences in thinking.