Clinical Interviewing (6th Edition)

Specifications

Book Description

“Clinical Interviewing,” now in its 6th edition and authored by John Sommers-Flanagan and Rita Sommers-Flanagan, offers a comprehensive guide to conducting effective clinical interviews in various mental health and counseling settings. Here's an overview of what you can expect from this edition:

1. Foundations of Clinical Interviewing: The textbook begins with an overview of the fundamentals of clinical interviewing, including the role of the interviewer, ethical and legal considerations, cultural sensitivity, and establishing rapport with clients.
2. Theoretical Frameworks: Sommers-Flanagan and Sommers-Flanagan explore different theoretical approaches to clinical interviewing, including psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, humanistic-existential, and integrative perspectives. They discuss how theoretical frameworks inform the interview process and guide assessment and intervention strategies.
3. Interviewing Techniques: The book covers a wide range of interviewing techniques and strategies used in clinical practice, including active listening, open-ended questioning, reflection, clarification, summarization, confrontation, interpretation, and empathy. It provides practical guidance on when and how to use each technique effectively.
4. Assessment and Diagnosis: Sommers-Flanagan and Sommers-Flanagan discuss the assessment and diagnostic process in clinical interviewing, including gathering client information, conducting mental status examinations, formulating diagnostic impressions, and using standardized assessment tools.
5. Treatment Planning: The textbook addresses treatment planning and goal setting in the context of clinical interviews, including collaboratively identifying client goals, developing treatment plans, and selecting evidence-based interventions tailored to client needs and preferences.
6. Crisis Intervention: Sommers-Flanagan and Sommers-Flanagan provide guidance on conducting clinical interviews in crisis situations, including assessing risk, managing safety concerns, providing crisis intervention techniques, and making appropriate referrals for emergency services.
7. Special Populations: The book explores clinical interviewing considerations for working with special populations, such as children and adolescents, older adults, couples, families, and individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds. It addresses developmental factors, cultural considerations, and unique assessment and intervention approaches for each population.
8. Ethical and Legal Issues: Sommers-Flanagan and Sommers-Flanagan discuss ethical and legal issues relevant to clinical interviewing, including confidentiality, informed consent, boundaries, dual relationships, duty to warn and protect, documentation, and professional conduct.
9. Professional Development: The textbook offers guidance on professional development and self-care for clinicians, including supervision, consultation, continuing education, and managing professional burnout and compassion fatigue.
10. Case Studies and Practice Exercises: Throughout the book, Sommers-Flanagan and Sommers-Flanagan include case studies, vignettes, and practice exercises to illustrate key concepts and promote skill development in clinical interviewing. These exercises provide opportunities for readers to apply interviewing techniques in simulated scenarios and reflect on their practice.

Overall, “Clinical Interviewing” serves as a comprehensive resource for mental health professionals, counselors, therapists, and students learning the art and science of clinical interviewing. With its practical guidance, theoretical insights, and emphasis on ethical practice, it prepares clinicians to conduct effective interviews and provide high-quality, client-centered care across diverse clinical settings.