The First Interview: Third Edition: Revised for DSM-IV

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 keenermedical 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 text 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 Psychology

Complely updated for DSM-IV, The First Interview is an important how-to book on the diagnostic interview. I plan to put it at top of my list of recommended readings for senior medical students and any other trainees needing to acquire diagnostic interviewing skills. --Sidney Zisook, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine

Dr. Morrison has successfully sharpened the focus of the earlier edition of his important book, further enhancing the value and utility his work brings to all of us who are interested in the efficacy of the first interview and its relevancy to the DSM-IV. --Jule D. Moravec, Ph.D., Director, Western Region, Department of Veteran's Affairs, San Francisco

The first contact with a patient, more often than not, sets the stage for a useful relationship as well as a sensible therapeutic plan. This book systematically presents a methodology for doing this. The new edition incorporates the latest in diagnostic criteria (DSM-IV) which have become a necessity for people to use in ordering their ideas about patients as well as interacting with their colleagues. This is true whether the clinician is a psychologist, psychiatrist, social worker, minister, nurse or, for that matter, a non-psychiatric physician. Dr. Morrison writes extremely well. One doesn't need a dictionary to understand the concepts and the suggestions. A decent educational experience in the discipline of one's practice is quite adequate for total understanding of the text. Finally, I want to say something about Dr. Morrison's common sense and insightfulness. In discussing a variety of stressors that may occur in the life of a patient or client, he points out that these could be independent events, possibly causing some part of the disorder or that the disorder itself might cause these events. This indicates both an open mindedness as to the cause of behavioral and emotional problems. I believe that Dr. Morrison's practical viewpoint and intelligence shines through every page of this book. No reader could help but derive considerable benefit and knowledge. --George Winokur, M.D., The Paul W. Penningroth Professor of Psychiatry, University of Iowa College of Medicine

James Morrison, MD, was educated at Reed College and obtained his medical and psychiatric training at Washington University in St. Louis. He is currently Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Oregon Health Sciences University. He is the author of The First Interview, DSM-IV Made Easy, and When Psychological Problems Mask Medical Disorders, and coauthor (with Thomas F. Anders) of Interviewing Children and Adolescents.