First Interview

"A very valuable new text for beginners who are learning to do the first interview of a mental health patient. It has good tables, detailed outlines, and outstanding quotes that tell the reader what to say at any given time. The author also gives pointers on how to write up and conduct the interview, At the end of the book there are descriptions of selected psychiatric disorders plus a sample interview and a sample written report. The experienced clinician will find this text a good review and a nice reference outline. For me, reading this book sharpened my attention to several areas of my 'first interviews' that had gotten sloppy."--American Journal of Psychiatry "Beginning trainees, those preparing for certifying examinations of patients, and experienced clinicians could all benefit from reading this book....Clearly written, highly practical, and fully researched....The book is richly illustrated with verbatim examples of effective and ineffective patient-professional communications, with accompanying commentaries on the pros and cons of the verbal and nonverbal messages. Numerous examples show how some messages elicit cooperation and enhance the flow of information, whereas others turn patients off....This book has much to offer, and I will be happy to suggest it to my residents and colleagues."--Hospital and Community Psychiatry "This is very much a do-it-yourself manual. Its aim is to give practical guidance to the novice psychiatric interviewer, and in this it succeeds admirably....The book clearly reflects a wealth of experience--the number of clinical case examples is prodigious--as well as familiarity with theoretical issues and relevant research....May be recommended to the keener medical student, to all psychiatric trainees and to those of their seniors who may wonder if their long-ago-acquired interviewing skills are as good as they might be."--British Journal of Psychiatry "This practical book guides readers in a thorough examination of the first interview a therapist conducts with a client, demonstrating how one can best approach, assess, and gain crucial diagnostic information during that first hour."--Contemporary PsychologyMorrison, James is the author of 'First Interview' with ISBN 9780898629927 and ISBN 0898629926.