This book serves to remind us that in psychiatry the diagnosis, course, treatment and outcome of disorders rest heavily on the extraordinarily complex and sensitive relationship between doctor and patient. With its emphasis on narrative, meaning, the relationship between subjective experience and objective reality, [it] reasserts the primary truth of medicine, namely that establishing the true picture of health and disease requires the active participation of the patient at every stage. How are we to avoid losing sight of the person in the midst of bleeping machines and flickering computer screens? It is to the credit of the authors of this book that they have so sensibly and lucidly provided an answer.'

- Anthony W. Clare, Professor of Psychiatry, St Patrick's Hospital, Dublin

In order to treat their clients successfully, psychiatrists must be able to make the most complete and accurate assessment possible in each case. In this comprehensive book, the authors discuss the general principles behind psychiatric interviewing and assessment, then through the use of in-depth case histories combined with analysis, they demonstrate how those principles apply in a wide variety of contexts. They show how information is elicited from clients and used in forming assessments; how courses of action are decided upon; and how clients are re-assessed as cases change and develop over time. This is a book packed with practical information, presented in the context of narratives which demonstrate the real-life application of principles. It will be invaluable reading for students and practitioners of psychiatry and related disciplines.