Manual of Psychosocial Rehabilitation is an easy-to-read, practical guide to psychosocial rehabilitation, a term which refers to non-pharmaceutical interventions designed to aid recovery from severe mental illness. It aims to provide a comprehensive guide to the tools and resources, which support evidence-based practice, and is the companion to Handbook of Psychosocial Rehabilitation, which examines the underlying principles and evidence base in more detail.
The authors are all mental health practitioners with backgrounds in the fields of psychology, mental health nursing and occupational therapy with a wealth of experience in this area. The book is divided into five sections: assessment tools; therapeutic skills and interventions; reconnecting to community; peer support and self help; and bringing it all together. It is clearly laid out and, whilst it could be read in one sitting, is easy to dip in and out of. The authors use a character ‘Sam’ who has schizophrenia to contextualize the interventions described, and the chapters are packed with useful assessment tools, checklists and handy tips.
This book is primarily aimed at mental health professionals and students working in the field, and as such much is not applicable to everyday occupational health practice. However, the overarching principles of goal setting and self-empowerment are very pertinent to our speciality and the book can be read with interest in this context. There are opportunities for both direct and indirect translation of these ideas into occupational heath care settings. Some of the assessment tools described in part 1 such as the ‘Recovery Assessment Scale’ would be usefully integrated into clinical assessment of patients with mental health issues when evaluating their return to work. The chapters on motivational interviewing and individual recovery planning offer an approach to assessment and strategic planning that might be applicable in many other areas of occupational care not necessarily related to mental health conditions.
In summary an interesting, thought-provoking read, well worth having in the departmental library.
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