The DSM-5 Survival Guide: A Navigational Tool for Mental Health Professionals

About the Book

The book will help you navigate the DSM-5. It will assist you in learning the diagnoses as they are required by agencies and the insurance companies in order to obtain reimbursement for services. Each chapter presents the more common disorders as they are typically encountered in agencies. It is a book for mental health and human service professionals--graduate students in social work, marriage and family counseling, psychology, and mental health counselors. It is also a book for the experienced practitioner, psychiatrists, psychologists and other mental health professionals who want to stay grounded in traditional psychology or systems theory but often are required to present cases or diagnose from an individual or psychodynamic point of view.

The book imparts technical knowledge in a non-technical view. it is based on the feedback from graduated students as they enter the mental health fields, and based on discussions with experienced professionals. Looking though the framework presented in this book allows practitioners to see individuals within a context and to free them from mutually exclusive outlook.

Each chapter is separated into the following format: (1) a presentation of the disorder, along with the symptoms as they are typically presented, (2) a case history of someone who exhibits the disorder, (3) a description of how a therapist can recognize the disorder- for example, what does a depressed person look like, (4) a description of how the client feels, (5) The client’s dilemma, (6) A brief explanation of the theories used to describe the etiology of the disorder, (7) An assessment from an individual lens, (8) An assessment from a systemic lens, (9) A list of individually based therapeutic strategies, (10) and a list of family therapy strategies that could be used for treating the client.

About the Author

Dr. Atwood is a Social Psychologist, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Clinical Social Worker .

She is a Clinical Member and Approved Supervisor of AAMFT. She is also the President and CEO of New York Marriage and Family Therapists,with offices in Rockville Centre, Williston Park, and New York City. In addition, Dr. Atwood is the past President of the New York State Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and was awarded the Long Island Family Therapist of the Year award for outstanding contributions to the field.

She is a Professor of Marriage and Family Therapy as well as an Adjunct Professor of Psychology. Dr. Atwood has published fifteen books and over 100 Journal articles. She serves on the Editorial Board of most journals in the field; she holds Diplomate status and is a Clinical Supervisor on the American Board of Sexology; she has been elected to the National Academy of Social Workers; and has served on the President's Commission for Domestic Policy. Among her many projects, Dr. Atwood is the co-developer of the P.E.A.C.E. Program (Parent Education and Custody Effectiveness), a court based educational program for parents obtaining a divorce. Dr. Atwood has made numerous TV appearances and Radio and Newspaper interviews.

"My style and beliefs are to create a safe environment within which individuals, couples, and families can explore their issues and challenges. I do this using brief solution focused therapy embedded in a narrative view. This means that I assist people in seeing their lives in more healthy ways as they overcome the challenges in their lives. This occurs in an atmosphere of empowerment and growth.

I have studied psychology, sex therapy, and marriage and family therapy for many years, collecting a Doctorate and 3 Masters Degrees along the way. In addition, I did many years of post graduate work.

My most substantive learning though comes from my many years of working with clients."