Book excerpt: Every client brings with them a unique set of experiences that need to be understood before any assistance can be properly rendered. This book will draw you into these clients' lives, concerns and worlds, which will allow you to identify the critical client and therapy issues. You will find yourself conceptualizing your own treatment plans as you read, drawing from your own experiences and perspectives. Each case presented provides the opportunity for you to apply ethical codes to real-life situations as well as practice diagnosing clients. These case studies deal with current, true-to-life issues, such as an adolescent deciding whether to join a gang, or a woman experiencing menopause. The richness of these cases will hold your interest, and the clinical complexity will challenge you to apply your own knowledge.