Depression, anxiety, and other internalizing disorders can have severe and lasting consequences for children and adolescents. This unique book provides the school-based practitioner with clear-cut strategies for addressing these problems creatively and effectively with students in grades K-12. A concise overview of the nature, development, and course of childhood depression and anxiety is delineated, and a comprehensive assessment model is outlined. Chapters then present a wide range of empirically supported interventions that are easy to implement and readily adaptable to diverse settings. Featured cognitive-behavioral and psychoeducational techniques are described in jargon-free language, and numerous reproducible worksheets are included to facilitate the practitioner's day-to-day work. Other topics covered include currently available psychiatric medications for depression and anxiety, and when and how a psychiatric referral should be made.
Kenneth W. Merrell, PhD, until his death in 2011, was Professor of School Psychology and Director of the Oregon Resiliency Project at the University of Oregon. For 25 years, Dr. Merrell's influential teaching and research focused on social-emotional assessment and intervention for at-risk children and adolescents and social-emotional learning in schools. He published over 90 peer-reviewed journal articles; several books and nationally normed assessment instruments; and the Strong Kids programs, a comprehensive social and emotional learning curriculum. Dr. Merrell was a Fellow of the Division of School Psychology (Division 16) and the Society for Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology (Division 53) of the American Psychological Association. He received the Senior Scientist Award from Division 16, the Division's highest honor for excellence in science.
Table of Contents
Contents 1. Understanding Depression and Anxiety in Children and Adolescents 2. How Depression and Anxiety Develop and Are Maintained 3. Guidelines for Assessment and Intervention Planning 4. Comprehensive Intervention Programs for Depression 5. Changing Thoughts and Beliefs: Cognitive Therapy Techniques for Depression 6. Changing Thoughts and Beliefs: Rational-Emotive Therapy, Attribution Retraining, Learned Optimism, and Journal-Writing Strategies for Depression 7. Behavior Change, Emotional Education, Interpersonal Problem-Solving, and Conflict Resolution Strategies for Depression 8. Behavioral Treatments for Anxiety: Systematic Desensitization 9. Social Skills Training and Other Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions for Anxiety 10. Finding More Help: Referral Guidelines for Mental Health Counseling, Psychiatric Medications, and Alternative Treatments Appendix: Reproducible Worksheets
Interviews
School-based practitioners, including psychologists, counselors, social workers, and special education consultants, as well as students in these fields; clinical child psychologists and family therapists; teachers and administrators in alternative education programs for at-risk youth.
