Book excerpt: Aimed at all health professionals regardless of their clinical setting, Brief Therapy addresses the patient’s needs, physical, mental and emotional. Usually, nurses and doctors deal with the practical aspects of healthcare, such as prescribing medication and carrying out tests. Meanwhile, mental health professionals consider separately whether patients need a counsellor or psychiatrist. This book offers a new holistic approach, which transcends such organisational and professional divisions for the good of the patient. Most importantly, Brief Therapy is a method of intervening early, in order to prevent long- term problems setting in. The stigma and pain of mental illness can be significantly reduced by explaining and treating patients’ symptoms in the context of their lives. Essentially, this book is for any health professional who feels that psychological care is important and who wants to build on skills that will improve their effectiveness with patients.