“This fantastic volume synthesizes the last 50 years of evidence-based practice and offers a transdiagnostic set of principles that are based on our best science. This just may be the future of child and adolescent psychotherapy—and it sure would make training new clinicians a whole lot easier!”

—Mitchell J. Prinstein, PhD, ABPP, John Van Seters Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill


“This is an exciting resource from two highly accomplished experts in evidence-based treatments. Weisz and Bearman's seminal meta-analytic work has shown that 'smaller' treatments sometimes have bigger results. FIRST emphasizes efficiency, parsimony, and simplicity, while focusing on multiple problem types across a wide age range. It is at the vanguard of innovative designs that will characterize the future of evidence-based psychotherapy. This book is an excellent addition to the toolkit of anyone looking for a brief and flexible treatment approach for the most common youth mental health problems.”

—Bruce F. Chorpita, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles; President, PracticeWise


“In a non-cookbook fashion, Weisz and Bearman provide wise guidance for mental health professionals working with youth. The book shows how to apply FIRST to a variety of mental health problems facing youth. Features of specific disorders are considered and case examples are provided. The overall approach is transdiagnostic, but the authors offer guidance for individualization to specific cases. This book will be useful to beginning and experienced therapists alike, and could serve as stimulating reading in graduate coursework.”

—Philip C. Kendall, PhD, ABPP, Laura H. Carnell Professor of Psychology and Distinguished University Professor, Temple University


“This terrific book shows how psychological therapies should be conducted from now on. No more slavish adherence to one particular protocol or manual, no more rigid demarcation between narrowly defined therapies. The book sets out in practical steps how to synthesize fundamental therapeutic principles and apply them flexibly with children and adolescents. Each of the five core principles has been proven to work, but never before have they been put together in a way that is easy to understand and put into practice. The book will raise the game of both novice and expert therapists, challenging them to apply the very best treatment principles to whoever walks through the door.”

—Stephen Scott, CBE, FRCPsych, FMedSci, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King’s College London, United Kingdom