The First Interview, Fourth Edition

“An absolute ‘must read’ for any clinician at any level of experience. This clearly written, highly practical, step-by-step guide to conducting the first interview is filled with wisdom. Morrison is sensitive to and respectful of the patient while recognizing the clinician’s need to get as much information as possible. The Appendices are invaluable. I cannot think of another book that comes close to this masterpiece. Thank you, Dr. Morrison, for providing this essential guide.”–Robert L. Leahy, PhD, Director, American Institute for Cognitive Therapy; Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medical College “With pressure to improve quality, availability, and the economic value of mental health care, an effective, efficient start to the therapeutic process is more important than ever. The First Interview, Fourth Edition, addresses the reality that whatever the therapist’s orientation, a successful therapeutic alliance depends on the first encounter. This gives the book universal appeal and will benefit novice and seasoned therapists alike. Science and personal experience are woven into a seamless work that reads like common sense but is based on a substantial body of evidence. In an easy-to-read, conversational tone, Morrison conveys empathic interviewing techniques that can win patients’ trust and allow them to share the most intimate life details.”–Gary J. Kennedy, MD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center “As a clinician educator who teaches interviewing, I have been searching for accessible reading material that incorporates DSM-5 and is appropriate for medical students, psychiatry residents, and multidisciplinary mental health care providers. My search is over! This book integrates DSM-5 and the latest research on interviewing without compromising the art of clinical care. Rather than rigidly applying diagnostic categories or theoretical frameworks, Morrison helps clinicians become attuned to the nuances of the interview in a way that will make patients feel heard and understood. I know that my patients and my trainees’ future patients will receive more thorough, compassionate care as a result of the abundant clinical insights in this book.”–Alana Iglewicz, MD, Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego “Morrison has written one of the most comprehensive texts on the principles, techniques, and practice of initial interviewing. This book is indispensable for students first learning to work with clients, and is a valuable reference for experienced practitioners wishing to enhance their interviewing skills. Morrison presents sound and practical methods for establishing a warm and empathic therapeutic relationship, which in turn will help students and practitioners productively work with sensitive material.”–Roy Jerome, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai -

James Morrison, MD, is Affiliate Professor of Psychiatry at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland. He has extensive experience in both the private and public sectors. With his acclaimed practical books–including DSM-5 Made Easy; Diagnosis Made Easier, Second Edition; The First Interview, Fourth Edition; Interviewing Children and Adolescents, Second Edition; When Psychological Problems Mask Medical Disorders, Second Edition; and The Mental Health Clinician’s Workbook–Dr. Morrison has guided hundreds of thousands of mental health professionals and students through the complexities of clinical evaluation and diagnosis.