ABSTRACT
This textbook is designed to teach beginning therapists the applied process of using the results of assessments to formulate a diagnosis, develop a conceptualization, and make plans for treatment. Excellent textbooks teach practical aspects of assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning, but few walk students through the entire process. In addition, few offer specifics on how to develop a case conceptualization, although conceptualization plays a pivotal role in moving from assessment to treatment planning. Therefore, the text presents a general model of conceptualization (Table 1.1) and demonstrates use of the model through case examples. Students learn not only a clear method for developing case conceptualizations, but also important differences in conceptualizations across different diagnostic groups. The enormous body of research on the characteristics and etiology of each diagnostic group, such as depression, cannot be ignored in developing an individual case conceptualization. Although all clients have unique presentations and stories, knowledge about their diagnostic group can provide important guidelines for viewing each.
