Introduction to Psychopathology

I was most impressed by the author's thoroughness in writing this book. She
seems to leave no stone uncovered... [this is] a work which should become a
necessity for all counsellors, counselling psychologists, psychiatric nurses
and psychotherapists... This is a book to which I will make reference time and
time again, and one which will occupy a prominent place in my library' -
Counselling, The Journal of the British Association for Counselling

`An invaluable handbook for students of psychotherapy and a good reference for
established therapists... I recommend that all therapists have a copy of this
book on their shelf' - Psychology, Health & Medicine

Assessment and referral skills are essential for counsellors and
psychotherapists. Practitioners need to have an understanding of the clinical
manifestations of severe emotional distress. They must, for example, be able
to recognize when clients are a suicide risk or when they are suffering from a
psychotic episode.

This lively textbook provides a clear overview of the issues involved in our
understanding of psychopathology and offers guidelines on appropriate
interventions. Alessandra Lemma explores a range of key topics, covering how
psychiatric diagnoses and classifications are arrived at, and the issues that
can arise when working in conjunction with other mental health practitioners,
such as psychiatrists. She addresses the needs of practitioners in relation to
some of the more common forms of mental distress - depression, anxiety and
eating problems - as well as some of the more controversial diagnoses, such as
schizophrenia and `borderline personality disorder'. The book concludes with a
discussion of alternatives to mainstream approaches, including those which
seek to deconstruct the concept of psychopathology.

Introduction to Psychopathology offers a framework for assessing clients which
incorporates a broad range of models and approaches, and which takes into
account psychological, social and biological factors. It will be an invaluable
resource for students of counselling, counselling psychology, psychotherapy
and clinical psychology.