Diagnostic Interviewing - Practical Guide for Clinicians

In this review of Diagnostic Interviewing, the fourth edition by Daniel L. Segal and Michel Hersen, the bottom line is clear: this is a practical, clinician-focused guide for learning and refining the core skill of the diagnostic interview. It targets beginning practitioners who need a structured approach and experienced therapists working in new settings. The book's revision to align with DSM-IV-TR terminology and its wide coverage of client presentations make it a dependable reference for shaping the clinical interview and reducing practitioner anxiety.

Key Features

• Comprehensive coverage: Breaks down the diagnostic interview process across a wide range of clients and problems so clinicians can adapt techniques to diverse cases.
• Practical techniques: Offers straightforward interviewing approaches and specific techniques that beginning clinicians can apply immediately in sessions.
• Updated standards: Revised to reflect diagnostic standards according to the DSM-IV-TR, helping clinicians align interviews with accepted diagnostic criteria.
• Training resource: Serves as a step-by-step instructional resource that sets the tone for treatment and supports skill development for new practitioners.
• Reference value: Functions as an invaluable source of information for seasoned therapists seeking refreshers or adapting to unfamiliar populations.

Who It's For

Diagnostic Interviewing is best suited for graduate students, early-career clinicians, and supervisors who teach interviewing skills; it offers clear procedures and examples that make the interview less intimidating. It is also useful for experienced therapists who want a concise reference to refresh techniques or to adjust interviews for new client groups.

Clinicians seeking the very latest diagnostic nomenclature should note this edition follows DSM-IV-TR standards; those requiring materials keyed to later diagnostic manuals or to highly specialized assessment batteries may need supplemental resources.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Clear, practical guidance that demystifies the diagnostic interview for beginning clinicians.
• Wide applicability across client types, making it a flexible training tool.
• Updated revision ensures alignment with DSM-IV-TR diagnostic standards for consistent assessment language.

Cons

• Terminology and standards reflect DSM-IV-TR, so readers wanting the most current manual references may need to cross-reference newer editions.

Specifications

Title	Diagnostic Interviewing
Edition	Fourth Edition
Authors	Daniel L. Segal, Michel Hersen
Focus	Diagnostic interview process and techniques
Diagnostic standard	DSM-IV-TR
Audience	Beginning clinicians and seasoned therapists

Our Verdict

Diagnostic Interviewing is a sound, practical manual that belongs on the shelf of trainee clinicians and supervisors; its stepwise techniques and broad case coverage make it good value for anyone developing assessment skills. Those who need the absolute newest diagnostic manual language should supplement it, but for learning interview structure and technique this edition remains highly useful.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this book suitable for beginners?
Yes. It is written as a straightforward guide with practical interviewing approaches for beginning clinicians.

Which diagnostic manual does it follow?
The fourth edition is revised to reflect diagnostic standards according to the DSM-IV-TR.

Can experienced therapists benefit from it?
Yes. The book serves as an invaluable refresher and reference when working with unfamiliar populations or settings.