How can psychotherapists, counsellors and medical practitioners best determine the most appropriate treatment for individual patients in primary care? The growth of counselling and therapy in primary care has been accompanied by pressure for shorter-term, brief treatments and evidence-based, managed care. Mary Burton examines these issues in detail, and the main focus is on the practical assessment of patients and the selection of appropriate treatment within the real world of service provision. This book is aimed at psychotherapists, counsellors, clinical psychologists and psychiatrists in primary care, as well as general practitioners and service managers with a serious interest in delivering best practice for their patients. They will find here: a review of the major issues in counselling and psychotherapy in primary care a survey of the main psychotherapeutic approaches and the outcome evidence relating to their application in clinical practice a critical appraisal of the role of managed care and brief therapies in primary mental health care a useful, practical guide to assessment and to treatment and evaluation, illustrated extensively with case material and clinical vignettes The author, with many years of experience as a therapist in the National Health Service, has successfully provided the vital bridge to aid shared understanding. The arguments for short and long term therapy, treatment modality and the role of assessment, which is vital for safe, effective practice, are covered in depth. . We have waited a long time for this book, and I am sure it will remain the standard text for many years to come. From the Foreword by Dr Graham Curtis Jenkins Director, Counselling in Primary Care Trust Mary Burton has clearly summarised many of the most complex issues concerning psychological therapies in the Health Service–from approaches to assessment to selection of outcome measures. Scholarly yet easy to read, this outstanding book could hardly be more timely. It will be of utmost relevance to all concerned with psychotherapy and counselling in public services, whether they be providers or purchasers or researchers. Phil Mollon, Head of Clinical Psychology and Adult Psychotherapy Services Lister Hospital, Stevenage