Assessment Interview First step in assessment process: learn as much as possible about the person and their problem(s). First step in assessment process: learn as much as possible about the person and their problem(s).Reasons: 1. to illuminate the causes 2. to predict probable course of disorder 3. to help the clinician decide on treatment strategies

Clinical Interviews  Are idiographic – tailored to the client’s unique needs  Conducted face-to-face – provides both verbal and nonverbal information (gestures, restlessness, discrepancy between statements and behaviors, etc.)  Often the first contact between the client and the clinician

Assessment Interview  The clinician’s first tasks are to Establish rapport Establish rapport Gain client’s trust, respect and confidence Gain client’s trust, respect and confidence Present a nonjudgmental and accepting attitude Present a nonjudgmental and accepting attitude

Assessment Interview  The particular information desired depends on the clinician’s theoretical orientation.  Psychodynamic: needs and fantasies, memories of past events and relationships, how the client shapes the interview (process)  Behavioral: S: stimuli that trigger the abnormal behavior S: stimuli that trigger the abnormal behavior O: organism – self-image, thoughts, etc. O: organism – self-image, thoughts, etc. R: responses R: responses C: consequences C: consequences

Assessment Interview  Cognitive – assumptions, interpretations, cognitive coping skills  Humanistic – person’s self-concept, unique perceptions

Interview Formats  Structured – a series of prepared questions Allows clinicians to cover the same issues with every client Allows clinicians to cover the same issues with every client Can compare the responses of one individual with another Can compare the responses of one individual with another Advantages: standardized approach, increased reliability Disadvantage: may fail to reveal important information unique to the client Tends to be preferred by behaviorists

Interview Formats  Unstructured – the clinician asks open-ended questions, then follows interesting leads Advantage: allows clinician to focus on important/unpredictable topics Client’s style and choices are seen as important information, in their own right Disadvantage: may overlook important clinical information Tends to be favored by psychodynamic and humanistic therapists

Interview Formats  Semi-structured – consist of a set of structured questions, but the clinician is allowed to follow up on important/unanticipated topics  Increases reliability, while providing flexibility to handle unique situations  Ex: Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Personality Disorders (SCID-II)

Limitations of Clinical Interviews 1. Information may be pre-selected by the client (agenda) 2. Client may be unable to provide needed information (distorted perceptions, depression, psychosis, lack of insight) 3. Subjectivity of interviews (bias, halo effect, confirmatory bias, primacy effect, tendency to overemphasize negative information 4. Effect of interviewer variables (race, sex, age, appearance)