Therapy in the Real World: Effective Treatments for Challenging Problems

Helping beginning and experienced therapists cope with the myriad challenges of working in agencies, clinics, hospitals, and private practice, this book distills the leading theories and best practices in the field. The authors provide a clear approach to engaging diverse clients and building rapport; interweaving evidence-based techniques to meet therapeutic goals; and intervening effectively with individuals, families, groups, and larger systems. Practitioners will find tools for addressing the needs of their clients while caring for themselves and avoiding burnout; students will find a clear-headed framework for making use of the variety of approaches available in mental health practice.

Nancy Boyd-Franklin, PhD, is an African American clinical psychologist and family therapist and is a Distinguished Professor in the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. Her outstanding contributions have been recognized with awards from many professional organizations, including the American Family Therapy Academy, the Association of Black Psychologists, the American Psychological Association (Divisions 45 and 43), the Association of Black Social Workers, and the American Psychiatric Association, and she has received an honorary doctorate from the Phillips Graduate Institute. Dr. Boyd-Franklin is the author or coauthor of numerous articles and books, including Adolescents at Risk: Home-Based Family Therapy and School-Based Intervention; Black Families in Therapy, Second Edition: Understanding the African American Experience; and Therapy in the Real World: Effective Treatments for Challenging Problems.

Elizabeth N. Cleek, PsyD, is a Vice President at the Institute for Community Living, a large behavioral health care agency in New York City, where she oversees the Program Design, Evaluation, and Systems Implementation Department and the Central Access Department. Dr. Cleek co-led the development of an award-winning agency clinical risk assessment and intervention system, including the development of tools, procedural guidelines, and systemic interventions. She has written and presented on the use of technology to support implementation of best-practice work, the development and implementation of health-related interventions for people with serious mental illness, and multisystems work with families.

Matt Wofsy, LCSW, is Director of Evidence-Based Treatment and Practice Innovation at the Institute for Community Living. He has extensive experience in the area of adapting evidence-based practices to diverse clinical settings, and has presented his work at state and national conferences. Mr. Wofsy is a recipient of the Exemplary Mid-Career Social Work Leader Award from the New York City chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. He is Adjunct Professor at New York University Silver School of Social Work and maintains a private practice in New York City.

Brian Mundy, LCSW, is a Clinical and Evaluation Specialist at the Institute for Community Living, where he primarily supports clinicians and service providers in implementing evidence-based practices in their work with clients. He is a recipient of the Emerging Social Work Leader Award from the New York City chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. Mr. Mundy is Adjunct Professor at Long Island University and maintains a private clinical practice.