This essential "how-to" resource provides you with practical psychiatric nursing techniques and interventions for every step of the treatment process - from initial patient contact to discharge. You’ll explore the basics of psychotherapy and psychopharmacology, as well as clinically useful approaches to psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive, and self-psychology. This book also offers effective strategies to help you work with special patient populations, including children, adolescents, older adults, patients with a history of substance abuse, and those who have experienced trauma.