This book is the most recent edition of a successful key clinical psychology reference text. The editors state that the Third Edition has been updated to take account of recent research that has taken place since the previous edition, which was published in 1994. This claim is undeniable, with each chapter being written by leading experts in the field and containing up-to-date research on both assessment and intervention techniques for a range of mental health problems, as well as reference to clinical issues facing the profession.

The book is separated into 41 chapters covering 17 different ‘disorders’ and clinical problems, including psychosis, bipolar disorder, disorders of sleep, relationship problems, and chronic pain; as well as anxiety disorders and depression, for which psychological interventions were originally developed. As in previous editions, each clinical problem is allocated two chapters: one which outlines approaches to investigation and assessment, including reference to appropriate assessment measures; and another which outlines current evidence in relation to best practice treatment, including case examples and models for formulation. This makes the handbook extremely accessible and easy to use, as well as reinforcing the importance of assessment in formulation and treatment. The book has a large emphasis on CBT interventions, with the majority of evidence for treatment approaches being drawn from the findings of recent randomized controlled trial studies. However, other psychotherapeutic approaches are referred to, as well as non-psychological interventions such as psychopharmacology. Modern approaches are also discussed, such as the computerized delivery of CBT in anxiety disorders.

The most notable differences from the previous edition of this handbook are the addition of chapters specifically devoted to bipolar disorder (authored by Dominic Lam and Warren Mansell), post-traumatic stress disorder (authored by Nick Grey), and personality disorder (authored by Peter Hayward and Julian Walker). In addition, the section on anxiety disorders has been separated into chapters on social phobia (authored by Freda McManus and Colette Hirsch) and panic (authored by Stan Lindsay). Moreover, the section on schizophrenia has been replaced with a more inclusive section on the assessment and treatment of psychosis (authored by Elizabeth Kuipers, Emmanuelle Peters, Louise Johns, and Yvonne Linney). These changes are perhaps reflective of the progress that has been made since the 1990s in terms of the development of specific psychological interventions for a range of clinical problems.

In addition to the above, several sections of the handbook are devoted to areas of clinical psychology other than the direct treatment of mental health problems. These include chapters on clinical health psychology, and the provision of psychological evidence in court. Two chapters also focus on the use of single-case methodology in evaluating psychological interventions. Chapter 41 on ‘Professional issues in the new century’ by Catherine Dooley is particularly interesting, documenting the continuing evolution of clinical psychology as a profession since her previous chapter on professional issues in the Second Edition of the handbook. Dooley considers the impact of public issues and government policy on the changing role of clinical psychology over the last 10 years, as well as implications for the future in terms of the skill base required from psychologists, from both a clinical and research perspective.

As a researcher, I feel that this handbook provides a comprehensive and thoroughly up-to-date overview of assessment techniques, interventions, and professional issues in the field of clinical adult psychology, organized into accessible sections written by experts. The use of tables, diagrams, and figures also further improve accessibility and provide useful resources. I can imagine that it will provide an initial ‘port of call’ for many clinical psychology trainees and, as with previous editions, I am sure it will feature on the bookshelves of many students, researchers, and mental health practitioners alike.