This book provides a model for adapting best practices in cognitive-behavioral therapy to consumers whose language and cognitive deficits make it difficult for them to benefit from traditional talk oriented psychotherapy.

The book focuses primarily upon the mental health care of those deaf clients, sometimes referred to as "low functioning" or "traditionally underserved," who are particularly difficult to engage in meaningful treatment.

Drawing most heavily upon the work of Donald Meichenbaum, Marsha Linehan, and Ross Greene, this book presents adaptations and simplifications of psychotherapy which make it accessible and meaningful for persons often viewed as "poor candidates."

The heart of the book is a greatly simplified approach to psychosocial skill training, especially in the domains of coping, conflict resolution and relapse prevention skills, as well as an extensive discussion of "pre-treatment" strategies for engaging clients in mental health care.

Also included is research demonstrating how deaf mental health clients are different than hearing clients, guidelines for doing mental status examinations with deaf clients whose language dysfluency gives them the false appearance of having thought disorders, and a chapter on developing staff and creating culturally and clinically appropriate treatment programs.

Included with the book is a CD-ROM containing over 1500 beautifully drawn illustrations of a wide range of mental health and substance abuse related concepts. These pictures or "skill cards" are used in psychoeducation and therapy with persons who can not read English.
Reviews

"As a program director myself, I found Dr. Glickman’s chapter on staff and program development to cause a sense déjà vu and to be incredibly affirming. He nailed the problems I saw as we developed our programs and his solutions left me wondering, "Why didn’t I think of that?" If you could only have three books on mental health and don your shelf, they should be Dr. Glickman’s series. If you could have only one, it needs to be this volume."

-Steve Hamerdinger, MA, Director, Office of Deaf Services, Alabama Department of Mental Health

"This book is an excellent resource for therapists, students who hope to work in clinical environments, and/or support personnel. Teachers may also find aspects of it useful…includes many valuable activities, games, stories, and ideas that can be implemented in a classroom setting. A valuable read for any professional interested in guiding a member of a 'traditionally underserved' population through challenges encountered while traveling the yellow brick road of life." -Karen L. Kritzer, Educational Foundations and Special Services, Kent State University, in Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education, Vol. 14, No. 4

"In his groundbreaking new book… Glickman has established himself as one of the world’s most progressive mental health profession...