Theory and Treatment Planning in Counseling and Psychotherapy

One of the first books in the field of counseling to use a competency-based approach for teaching counseling and psychotherapy theories, Gehart's text is designed to teach the skills and knowledge outlined in current CACREP Standards. Featuring state-of-the-art, outcomes-based pedagogy, the text introduces counseling and psychotherapy theories using theory-informed case conceptualization as well as treatment planning. Assignments empower students to apply theoretical concepts and develop real-world skills as early as possible in their training, resulting in greater mastery of the material.

New to this Edition

• Expanded Diversity Sections: Diversity sections in each theory chapter now include practical applications of the theory with specific diverse populations, including individuals from special ethnic/racial groups as well as LGBTQ clients. Expanded sections on specific populations--including African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Asian Americans, Native Americans/First Nations/Aboriginals, gay men, lesbians, and gay and transgendered youth--provide detailed suggestions, adaptations, and cautions for using a given theory with a specific population.


• New Chapter on Trauma-Related Evidence-Based Treatments: A new chapter (Chapter 10) discusses evidence-based cognitive behavioral treatments (CBT), specifically, dialectic behavioral therapy (DBT) and trauma-focused CBT for children. Both approaches are used extensively with clients who have experienced childhood and complex trauma.


• Theory-Specific Case Conceptualization Templates: Each theory chapter now includes a theory-specific case conceptualization outline that students and therapists can use to develop case conceptualizations using a single theory. This conceptualization can be used to create a theory-specific treatment plan. Each chapter also presents a sample theory-specific case conceptualization as part of the case study.


• Revised Case Conceptualization and Treatment Plan Forms: The cross-theoretical case conceptualization and treatment plan forms have been revised to be more succinct and easier to use. Digital forms are available for download.


• Separate Jungian Chapter: Jungian analysis is now covered in a separate chapter (Chapter 4), and includes a case study.


• Practice Exercises: "Try it yourself" exercises throughout the text give students hands-on practice using assessment and intervention techniques.


• Questions for Reflection and Class Discussion: Each chapter includes a new section designed to engage students more thoughtfully in the material by promoting personal reflection and class discussion.

About the Author

Diane R. Gehart

Dr. Diane R. Gehart is a Professor in the Marriage, Family, and Therapy and Counseling Programs at California State University, Northridge. She has authored numerous books, including CASE DOCUMENTATION IN COUNSELING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY, THEORY AND TREATMENT PLANNING IN COUNSELING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY, MINDFULNESS AND ACCEPTANCE IN COUPLE AND FAMILY THERAPY, and MASTERING COMPETENCIES IN FAMILY THERAPY. She also co-edited COLLABORATIVE THERAPY: RELATIONSHIPS AND CONVERSATIONS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE, and has developed two systems for assessing student learning: THE COMPLETE MFT CORE COMPETENCY ASSESSMENT SYSTEM and THE COMPLETE COUNSELING ASSESSMENT SYSTEM. Dr. Gehart's areas of specialty include mindfulness, mental health recovery, postmodern and systemic therapies, sexual abuse treatment, gender issues, children and adolescents, client advocacy, qualitative research, and education in family therapy.

She speaks internationally, having conducted workshops to professional and general audiences in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Mexico. Her work has been featured in newspapers, radio shows, and television worldwide. She is an associate faculty member at three international post-graduate training institutes: The Taos Institute, Houston Galveston Institute, and The Marburg Institute for Collaborative Studies in Germany. Additionally, she is an active leader in state and national professional organizations. She maintains a private practice in Agoura Hills, California, specializing in couples, families, trauma, life transitions, and difficult-to-treat cases.