Book excerpt: Handbook of Private Practice is the premier resource for mental health clinicians, covering all aspects of developing and maintaining a successful private practice. Written for graduate students considering the career path of private practice, professionals wanting to transition into private practice, and current private practitioners who want to improve their practice, this book combines the overarching concepts needed to take a mental health practice (whether solo or in a group) from inception, through its lifespan. From envisioning your practice, to accounting and bookkeeping, hiring staff, managing the practice, and running the business of the practice, a diverse group of expert authors describe the practical considerations and steps to take to enhance your success. Chapters cover marketing, dealing with insurance and managed care, and how to choose your advisors. Ethics and risk management are integrated throughout the text with a special section also devoted to these issues and strategies. The last section features 26 niche practices in which expert practitioners describe their special area of practice and discuss important issues and aspects of their specialty practice. These areas include assessment and evaluation, specialized psychotherapy services, working with unique populations of clients, and more. Whether read cover-to-cover or used as a reference to repeatedly come back to when a question or challenge arises, this book is full of practical guidance directly geared to psychologists, counselors, social workers, and marriage and family therapists in independent practice.