"This state-of-the-art book provides a wealth of valuable, insightful, and practical information on conducting effective clinical interviews. Each chapter is clearly written, provides excellent case examples, and contains critical takeaway points. Students, early-career professionals, and seasoned clinicians will become better interviewers by reading this book. It is an excellent resource that should be required reading for all school psychologists, school counselors, and students training to become them." - David N. Miller, Ph.D., Department of Educational & Counseling Psychology, University at Albany, State University of New York"In contrast to diagnostic assessments that focus on what is missing and wrong, the practical interviewing methods in this book expand the assessment process to include student strengths, resources, and nuances that paint a more holistic and useful picture of students and their struggles--a picture that increases intervention options and solution opportunities. Dr. Hass's extensive experience as a practitioner and teacher are evident in the many examples and dialogues throughout the book. This is a must read for graduate students and school-based practitioners wishing to incorporate respectful, student-centered interviews into their assessments." - John J. Murphy, Ph.D., author of Solution-Focused Counseling in Schools
Acknowledgments ix
CHAPTER 1 Introduction to Interviewing for Assessment 1
CHAPTER 2 Interviews as Part of a Comprehensive Assessment 11
CHAPTER 3 Steps in Interviewing for Assessment 19
CHAPTER 4 Interviewing Strategies 29
CHAPTER 5 The School–Based Mental Status Exam 47
CHAPTER 6 Interviewing Culturally Diverse Interviewees 57
CHAPTER 7 Strategies for Interviewing Young Children 73
CHAPTER 8 Interviewing to Clarify and Classify Problems 81
CHAPTER 9 Interviewing About Academic Performance 107
CHAPTER 10 Interviewing to Understand Strengths and Resources 117
CHAPTER 11 Interviewing in High–Risk Situations: Suicide Assessment 131
CHAPTER 12 Pulling It All Together and Communicating the Results of Assessment Interviews 145
Appendix 1 Child and Adolescent Interview Protocol 153
Appendix 2 Questions About Language and Culture 157
Appendix 3 Process of Deferential Diagnosis 159
Appendix 4 School–Based Mental Status Evaluation 161
Author Index 165
Subject Index 173
MICHAEL HASS, PHD, is a Professor of Scholarly Practice in the Counseling and School Psychology graduate programs at Chapman University. Dr. Hass has over 30 years of experience as a School Psychologist and psychotherapist, and holds California licenses in Educational Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Clinical Counseling. He serves as editor–in–chief of the journal Contemporary School Psychology, and co–authored Writing Useful, Accessible, and Legally Defendable Psychoeducational Reports with Jeanne Anne Carriere. In 2016, he earned the California Association of School Psychologists′ Sandra Goff Memorial award for exemplary contributions to the profession of School Psychology in California and the nation.
CONSTRUCT A MORE HOLISTIC PICTURE OF A CHILD′S ABILITIES BY INTERVIEWING FOR STRENGTHS
"This state–of–the–art book provides a wealth of valuable, insightful, and practical information on conducting effective clinical interviews. Each chapter is clearly written, provides excellent case examples, and contains critical takeaway points. Students, early–career professionals, and seasoned clinicians will become better interviewers by reading this book. It is an excellent resource that should be required reading for all school psychologists, school counselors, and students training to become them." David N. Miller, Ph.D., author of Child and Adolescent Suicidal Behavior: School–Based Prevention,Assessment, and Intervention
"In contrast to diagnostic assessments that focus on what is missing and wrong, the practical interviewing methods in this book expand the assessment process to include student strengths, resources, and nuances that paint a more holistic and useful picture of students and their struggles a picture that increases intervention options and solution opportunities. Dr. Hass′s extensive experience as a practitioner and teacher are evident in the many examples and dialogues throughout the book. This is a must read for graduate students and school–based practitioners wishing to incorporate respectful, student–centered interviews into their assessments." John J. Murphy, Ph.D., author of Solution–Focused Counseling in Schools
Interviewing for Assessment offers school–based professionals a practical primer on essential interview skills, using a uniquely collaborative, strengths–based approach. Although strengths are sometimes evaluated as part of a student assessment, the lack of a systematic approach to interviewing for strengths means these assets are often neglected. This book gives practitioners the knowledge and skill set they need to conduct more effective interviews and incorporate the information gathered into a comprehensive assessment or intervention plan. Case studies illustrate critical steps in diagnosis, goal setting, and intervention planning, while practice exercises, sample reports, checklists, and more provide practical tools for implementation.
The interview is a powerful information gathering tool, but it requires a unique blend of interpersonal skills and professional knowledge. Interviewing for Assessment helps practitioners master this important tool, enhancing their effectiveness and facilitating better student outcomes.