The First Interview

A Guide for Clinicians

Now revised for DSM-IV, this text uses many case examples to demonstrate the conduct of a successful mental health diagnostic interview. I describe the successive stages of any first interview and show how to derive maximum information while establishing and maintaining trust and rapport. Many of the techniques I present are based on research that has demonstrated scientifically the best techniques for such tasks as drawing out feelings, obtaining factual material, and controlling the flow of the interview. The book is 315 pages long and is written for mental health professionals in all disciplines and at every stage of training. It is available at major book stores, at Amazon.com, and directly from the publisher, Guilford Press.

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Contents:

Introduction: What is Interviewing?

1. Openings and Introductions

2. Chief Complaint and Free Speech

3. Developing Rapport

4. Managing the Early Patient Interview

5. History of the Present Illness

6. Getting the Facts about the Present Illness

7. Interviewing about Feelings

8. Personal and Social History

9. Sensitive Subjects

10. Control of the Later Interview

11. Mental Status Exam I: Observational Aspects

12. Mental Status Exam II: Cognitive Aspects

13. Signs and Symptoms in Areas of Clinicial Interest

14. Closure

15. Interviewing Informants

16. Meeting Resistance

17. Special and Difficult Patients

18. Evaluation

19. Making Recommendations

20. Communicating Your Findings

Appendices

A. Summary of the Initial Interview

B. Description and Diagnostic Criteria for Selected Disorders

C. Sample Interview

D. Sample Written Report

E. Assessing Your Interview

F. Bibliography and Recommended Readings

Index

 

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