Based on a long tradition of treating "at risk" children and adolescents in collaboration with their families and schools, this volume describes the theory and methodology for achieving such a collaborative practice. The book is authored by three esteemed psychologists who have worked extensively with children and families as both school practitioners and collaboratively as private clinicians.

Enlarging the Therapeutic Circle presents the history and therapeutic rationale for collaborative work with families and schools. It discusses methods for using the family and school as support systems and describes how the therapist can best use these systems for treatment. Highly useful information is included, such as how schools generally construct their mental health services, what personnel and resources are available, the kinds of test results and records utilized, and special laws and programs.

Descriptions of five successful models for therapist/family/school collaboration and six school-based models are included, with each model considered in terms of theory and rationale, process, and desired outcome, and all models are compared and contrasted.

The book also delineates the basics of collaboration. The authors describe procedures for identifying and assessing children at risk, initiating treatment, obtaining feedback, and follow-up. They address attitudes toward therapy, finances, mobility, making and obtaining referrals, outreach efforts, and maintaining children in therapy. Finally, the volume examines trends that either facilitate or inhibit collaboration within mental health services and in society itself.

Throughout, the book is enriched by detailed case studies. Highly practical and accessible, this volume will be a great asset not only to child/adolescent therapists and marriage/family therapists but also to school support personnel and administrators. Above all, Enlarging the Therapeutic Circle will present readers with a wide range of successful collaborative strategies.