(McLean, VA, April 17, 2014) – The Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association (PRA) is pleased to announce the highly-anticipated release of the second edition of its essential book, Best Practices in Psychiatric Rehabilitation. Edited by Patricia Nemec, PsyD, CPRP, and Kathleen Furlong-Norman, MEd, MSW, the completely updated book features contributions from over 40 leading experts in the psychiatric rehabilitation field. The book covers a comprehensive range of topics, including practice competencies, person-centered planning, assessment, multicultural/diversity competence, community integration, wellness, and leadership development, to provide psychiatric rehabilitation professionals with the tools and resources they need to be successful.

“We are extremely proud of the release of the second edition of the Best Practices of Psychiatric Rehabilitation,” said Lisa Razzano, PhD, CPRP, PRA Chair. “The book delves into the field of psychiatric rehabilitation, providing a great resource for the mental and behavioral health community, academic institutions, individuals pursing their Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner (CPRP) designation, and those already practicing psych rehab principles in the field.”

Best Practices in Psychiatric Rehabilitation includes both evidence-based practices and best practices. Best practices are those principles, techniques, interventions, and service models that experts acknowledge as the most effective in a particular field. In psychiatric rehabilitation, a human services field, best practices also must be valued by the service users. Effectiveness has to do with achieving specific desired outcomes, and in psychiatric rehabilitation, the desired outcome is recovery—a life of meaning and purpose for people who live with mental health conditions. Since the first edition of this book was published, changes in the psychiatric rehabilitation field have included the development and dissemination of evidence-based practices. When a certain threshold of research evidence is reached, showing that one practice has better outcomes than alternatives, the practice is evidence-based. 

To learn more and to purchase your copy, please visit PRA’s bookstore.