Clinical Interview Strengths

A part of any diagnostic assessment is the clinical interview, whether structured or unstructured, with the main objective being to obtain an accurate biopsychosocial history used as a foundation of the client’s diagnosis and treatment. Specific objectives are to understand the client’s personality characteristics, both strengths and weaknesses, to gain insight into the nature of the client’s relationship with those closest, both past and present, identifying sources of primary support and family history, and to obtain a thorough and inclusive depiction of the client’s development from the determinative years to the present. Identifying information, such as the client’s name, age, marital status, sex, occupation, pace, place of residence and circumstances of living, history of prior clinical contacts, and referral and information stories should be identified, along with the client’s presenting problem, or chief complaint, the problem that is bringing the client in for help. This is best as a client-focused statement, using his/her own words (or of the person supplying the information). It is pertinent to denote onset, duration, frequency, and intensity of the presenting problem, as well as any changes in quality and quantity from other former states. A clinical interview can also provide a description of the client’s appearance and behavior, though this information is also covered in the Mental Status Exam …show more content…
The Mental Status Exam (MSE) consists of a short list of quick observations and contains the following headings: general appearance and behavior; mood, feelings, and affect; perception; speech and thought; sensorium and cognition; judgment; insight; and