Helping Students Overcome Depression and Anxiety: A Practical Guide » (2nd Edition)

Kenneth W. Merrell, PhD, is Professor of School Psychology at the University of Oregon, where he has served as School Psychology Program Director and as head of the Department of Special Education and Clinical Sciences. His research and clinical interests focus on social and emotional learning in schools, and social-emotional assessment and intervention with children and adolescents. He has authored numerous journal articles and book chapters in these areas, as well as several books, assessment instruments, and intervention programs. Dr. Merrell has extensive experience in working with children and youth in school settings, and in leading academic and research programs.

Now in a revised and expanded second edition, this bestselling guide provides expert information and clear-cut strategies for assessing and treating internalizing problems in school settings. More than 40 specific psychoeducational and psychosocial intervention techniques are detailed, with a focus on approaches that are evidence based, broadly applicable, and easy to implement. Including 26 ready-to-use worksheets, in a large-size format with permission to photocopy, the second edition has been updated throughout to ensure its currency and clinical utility. Coverage of psychiatric medications has been extensively revised with the latest developments and findings. A new chapter addresses prevention-oriented social and emotional learning curricula for the classroom.

Educational Review

"Practicality is the strength of the book. Guidelines are clear and the diversity of programs introduced provides the reader with ability to choose those which are most relevant and implementable in their schools or other settings. The clinical and educational aspects of problem management are well presented and professionals with different levels of involvement in child and youth health care can all benefit. The style and scope of the book can accommodate a wide diversity of settings and clients, on both international and multicultural levels....The author manages to simplify issues to permit the reader to comprehend them properly and put those understandings into practice, yet the text also preserves an appreciation of the complexity and sensitivity of the problems....The book is well organized and indexed to help people from different professions to benefit equally within their own perspectives. It is a valuable addition to any library."--Educational Review

*Index of Intervention Programs and General Intervention Strategies, with Descriptions of Purpose and Developmental Level

*List of Specific Treatment Techniques for Depression and Anxiety, Grouped by Program Component

1. Understanding Internalizing Problems: Depression and Anxiety in Children and Adolescents

2. How Internalizing Problems Develop and Are Maintained

3. Guidelines for Assessment and Intervention Planning

4. Social and Emotional Learning: An Important Tool for Promoting Mental Health

5. Comprehensive Intervention Programs for Depression

6. Changing Thoughts and Beliefs: Cognitive Therapy Interventions for Depression

7. Changing Thoughts and Beliefs: Rational-Emotive Therapy, Attribution Retraining, Learned Optimism, and Journal-Writing Strategies

8. Other Strategies for Depression

9. Behavioral Treatments for Anxiety: Systematic Desensitization and Other Techniques

10. Skills Training and Other Treatments for Anxiety

11. Finding More Help: Referral Guidelines for Mental Health Counseling, Medications, and Alternative Treatments

*Appendix: Reproducible Worksheets