Abstract
This chapter looks at where to find guidance for deciding what is most significant in what clients present, for deciding how to understand their difficulties, and for recognizing what form to give interventions. It begins with some obvious sources taught in psychology programs: psychotherapy research and psychotherapy theory. However, the author feels that the three major elements of practical wisdom described elsewhere in the book can help us to understand and practice good decision making for the complexity and uncertainty that psychotherapists face. These elements are further expounded upon in this chapter. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2009 APA, all rights reserved)