ABSTRACT
In this chapter, we attempt a most ambitious task—to briefly and succinctly summarize the major mental health treatments. We begin by defining the essential characteristics of counseling and psychotherapy. We then explore the important issue of treatment “efficacy” (i.e., does therapy actually work?). We consider the necessity of referring parishioners to “Christian” or religious providers. We then summarize the essentials of psychological testing, including suicide risk assessment. The bulk of this chapter is devoted to summarizing each of the major types of mental health intervention. Specifically, we present the basics of individual, marital, family, and group therapy, psychiatric medication, inpatient hospitalization, drug and alcohol treatment, eating disorder programs, hypnosis, and electroconvulsive therapy. We conclude with a brief warning about “fads” in mental health treatment.
