Shelley McMain – författare

This book presents a holistic approach to treating patients with personality disorders that seeks to inspire psychotherapists and encourage innovation.  Focusing on core mechanisms of change that span different therapeutic approaches, this book invites clinicians and researchers to join a dialogue with the authors, as they examine personality disorders from different theoretical perspectives, including dialectical behavior therapy, transference‑focused therapy, plan analysis, clarification‑oriented, and emotion‑focused therapies.  The authors explore five functional domains that underlie assessment and treatment for personality disorders: emotion dysregulation, disturbed social interaction, identity problems, impulsivity, and cognitive disturbances. Each domain is analyzed through an in‑depth case example, with case conceptualizations and the careful evaluation of clinical decisions that must be made at key points in therapy. The authors then compare their different approaches, emphasizing commonalities among them while also pointing out notable differences.  They also offer clear and compelling recommendations for maintaining and strengthening the therapeutic alliance. The final chapter synthesizes key takeaways from across the book to create a clear path towards enhancing clinical practice.

**Selected for 2026 Doody's Core Titles in Psychiatric**While there are many books that describe the theories and research of clinical psychology and psychiatry, there are few resources that provide structured simulations for rehearsal and advancement of the critical skills mental health professionals need in the field. Advanced Therapeutics, Clinical and Interpersonal Skills series aims to fill that gap. Authored and edited by leading experts, each volume in the series focuses on one subfield within mental health, providing concise and practical exercises for professionals. Each volume is based on an empirically based pedagogy that is structured, incremental, and tightly focused on the essential skills mental health professionals must acquire to obtain licensure/registration and work effectively with mental health patients. Practical Exercises for Mental Health Professionals is volume one in the series, focusing on providing concise and practical exercises for clinicians of any theoretical orientation and clinical role. These exercises include repairing alliance ruptures, motivating patients to address barriers to change, suicidal behavior strategies and establishing boundaries and limits. Each of these exercises have been tested by leading experts and clinics in the field.

Uses Deliberate Practice methodology to enhance clinical skill acquisition, which can be adapted for use by individuals, in supervision pairings, small peer learning groups, and/or in large group settings.Focuses on evidence based "common-factor" clinical communication skills that are proven to be related to improved therapeutic relationships and superior patient outcomes.Each skill exercise comes with multiple levels of difficulty to allow individuals to train at their unique growth edge based on their level of training and experience.

While  there are many successful books describing the theories and research of clinical psychology, there is a gap in content, providing structured and simulations to rehearse critical skills, mental health professionals need in the field.  Advanced Therapeutics, Clinical and Interpersonal Skills series aims to fill that gap. Authored and edited by leading experts, each volume in the series focuses on one subfield within mental health, providing concise and practical exercises for professionals. Each volume is based on an empirically based pedagogy that is structured, incremental, and tightly focused on the essential skills mental health professionals must acquire to obtain licensure/registration and enter the workforce. Practical  Exercises for Clinical Psychology, volume one in the series, focuses, on providing concise and practical exercises. These exercises include repairing alliance ruptures, motivating patients to address barriers to change, suicidal behavior strategies and establishing boundaries/ limits. Each of these exercises has been tested by leading experts and clinics in the field. This book is based on an empirically based pedagogy that is structured, incremental, and tightly focused on the essential skills clinicians must acquire to enter the workforce and successfully treat patients.- Uses Deliberate Practice methodology to enhance clinical skill acquisition, which can be adapted for use by individuals, in supervision pairings, small peer learning groups, and/or in large group settings.- Focuses on evidence based "common-factor" clinical communication skills that are proven to be related to improved therapeutic relationships and superior patient outcomes.- Each skill exercise comes with multiple levels of difficulty to allow individuals to train at their unique growth edge based on their level of training and experience.