Psychiatric Interviewing: the Art of Understanding A Practical Guide for Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Counselors, Social Workers, Nurses, and Other Mental Health Professionals

by Shawn Christopher Shea

The new, revised 2nd Edition of this popular book presents specific strategies and practical methods for conducting thorough psychiatric assessments. Essential psychiatric interviewing techniques from a variety of disciplines provide readers with a strongtheoretical foundation and a broad scope of reference. This resource also illustrates the use of the new DSM-IV to help readers administer a humanistic, caring approach to the initial interview. The result is a fast-reading and enjoyable text filled with interview examples, clarifying principles, and pragmatic advice. Presents specific ways for exploring sensitive areas, including domestic violence, incest, drug abuse, and sexual history. Offers strategies for arriving at a DSM-IV differential diagnosis and for uncovering personality disorders. Features an entire appendix devoted to tips and strategies for passing the oral boards. Includes a completely revised chapter on suicide and violence assessment, with an innovative interview strategy for uncovering hidden suicidal and violent ideation.

Genres: Psychology, Psychiatry, Mental Health, Counselling, Nonfiction, Medicine, Social Work

784 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 1988

Reviews

[Ahmed Shadi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this book in about 5 months and it was one of the most useful, interesting and engaging books I've read in psychiatric interviewing.

What I loved about it is that it contains principles, techniques and strategies to use in the clinic.
It contains a lot of tools and techniques to use for many different situations and clients we meet everyday.

The book comes with videos which contains sample of the interviewing that Dr. Shea does himself and it's very useful as we learn by observation.

I've read a lot about the therapeutic relationship and it's explained here in the most elaborate and applicable form.

It contains one of the best suicidal exploration methods and after applying the principles in it, I'm finding it a lot easier to talk about and deal with suicide ideation or attempts especially after watching Dr Shea applying the techniques and the method himself in the videos that come with the book.

I can't thank the author enough for this masterpiece.

Due it's length, I recommend it for the advanced clinicians, not for beginners in the field.

[Jarod Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is actually a pretty outstanding introduction into the art of psychiatric interviewing - a skill that is not exclusive to the field of psychiatric, but useful for talking to people in any sort of professional interaction. Learning how to understand the source of resistances or issues in the friendliness ("blending") of a conversation is important for myriad circumstances. Dr Shea does a pretty great job at covering a wide ground of very relevant and intriguing topics in a way that is entertaining to read about. Though this may be a textbook, it reads very well with its examples of patient-clinician interaction, rarely boring as one may expect. If you are an expert in the field, this may tread over much common ground, but if you have any interest in understanding the science of a dyadic interaction or psychiatry, this is really a fantastic book.

[Zach · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t recommend this book enough for anyone in the mental health field. It’s an unfortunate statistical truth that 50% of psychiatrists/psychologists/therapists are below average, but if everyone in it were to read this book then the mean would at least be shifted significantly right. Every single chapter contains immensely useful pearls that I immediately see the benefits of putting into practice.

[Brittany Pike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a wealth of information! This was my favorite book to read in school by far. I was so honored to hear Dr. Shea speak at our school in my last semester. What a legend.

[Nauticality · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent toolkit for interviewing techniques with tons of good vignettes and case studies to examine.

[Joe Klein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Accessible. Witty. Applicable. Deep in its insights. Each chapter is valuable. A book worth reading for any psychiatrist looking to improve their interviewing skills.

[Maya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Добра книга. Създава съвсем прилична представа за динамичната природа на психиатричното интервю. Монографиите, посветени на изкуството на интервирането в психиатрията, а и във всички помагащи професии, не са никак много и всяка книга, заела се да концептуализира и изведе принципите на това занимание, в което се преплитат знания и умения, е добре дошла.
В книгата, все пак, няма нищо новаторско, но въпреки това тя е един добър текст, който може да послужи като основа за сериозен дебат по въпросите на изграждането на среда, подходяща за изграждане на терапевтична връзка при първите контакти с пациенти с различни емоционални и психични проблеми.

[Genoveva Uzunova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book!

[Watk4373 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best text I've read that dissects the interview down to the most nuanced interactions!

[Laurie Rackley-joseph]

Amazing useful detail on every page.