Handbook of Rehabilitation Psychology » (2nd Edition)

Frank, Robert G.; Elliot, Timothy R.

This work documents the field of rehabilitation psychology. Chapters on clinical conditions address areas that have defined the field of rehabilitation psychology, such as spinal cord injury, amputation, and stroke, as well as areas reflecting the growth of the field, such as sensory impairment, psychiatric rehabilitation, and multiple sclerosis. Chapters on skill areas for the field discuss quality-of- life measures, assessment, and forensic evaluations. These chapters also describe unique rehabilitation issues such as alcohol abuse and postacute programs for brain injury. Social interpersonal issues such as vocation and family caregiving, and professional issues including payment systems, ethical concerns, and education, are discussed. The book includes a list of Web sites and organizations, and a glossary.

Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Doody Review Services

Reviewer:Gary B Kaniuk, Psy.D.(Cermak Health Services)
Description:This book describes rehabilitation psychology, a specialty which began after World War II. The first edition was published in 2000.
Purpose:According to the editors, this second edition "provides an up-to-date, comprehensive overview of the issues related to rehabilitation psychology.
Audience:The editors view the book "as a useful sourcebook for the growing ranks of rehabilitation psychologists, as well as researchers and practitioners in the many related health fields --medicine, nursing, psychiatry, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, health care administration, education, and family therapy, to name a few." Robert Frank, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost at Kent State University, is a diplomate in clinical psychology and current fellow of the rehabilitation psychology of the American Psychological Association. Mitchell Rosenthal, who died in 2007, was chief operating officer at the Kessler Medical Rehabilitation Research and Education Corporation in New Jersey. Bruce Caplan is board certified in rehabilitation psychology and clinical neuropsychology and is a fellow of the American Psychological Association.
Features:The book begins with a description of the principles and practices related to common rehabilitation conditions including spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, and chronic pain. It then discusses assessment issues, such as forensic psychological evaluation and neuroimaging, and clinical interventions including psychotherapeutic and cognitive rehabilitation. Pediatrics rehabilitation topics are addressed as well. Lastly, ethics, public policy, and competencies for rehabilitation psychologists are considered. The chapter on ethics is helpful in the way it addresses basic clinical issues that are encountered regularly, and discusses general principles, releasing test data, informed consent, and multiple relationships. There are interesting figures, tables, and exhibits.
Assessment:This is an excellent, comprehensive look at rehabilitation psychology. It addresses both research and practice guidelines, as well as professional issues. The field has radically changed in the past decade, justifying this second edition, which covers new topics and updates basic principles and practices.