The First Session with Children and Adolescents

Alvin E. House, PhD, is a clinical psychologist whose professional practice has focused on psychological evaluation. For the past quarter of a century he has conducted assessments for medical, vocational, school, and forensic consultations. As Associate Professor of Psychology at Illinois State University, he routinely teaches graduate-level courses in mental health diagnosis, psychological assessment, and psychopathology. The author of [i]DSM-IV Diagnosis in the Schools[i/], Dr. House has published articles and book chapters on intellectual, personality, and neuropsychological testing.

This book provides a thorough, practical primer on carrying out an initial mental health evaluation with a child or adolescent client. The emphasis is on efficiently eliciting the information needed for formulating the young person's difficulties, clarifying the diagnostic situation, and planning for treatment or referral, within the context of a caring, respectful professional relationship. Beginning with the first contact with a new client, the reader is taken step-by-step through the collection and integration of observational, interview, background, and collateral information. Important issues covered include structuring the evaluation session, effective record keeping, confidentiality concerns, and providing feedback to parents. Reflecting the author's 25+ years of professional experience, the book is filled with interview segments that bring the practical business of child assessment to life.

1. The Mental Status Examination in Psychological Assessment2. Evaluations of Infants, Children, and Adolescents3. Sources of Data4. Evaluating Cognitive Problems in Children5. Evaluating Emotional Problems in Children6. Evaluating Behavior Problems in Children and Adolescents7. Evaluating Relationship Problems in Youths8. Evaluating Pervasive Problems in Children9. Evaluating Substance Use and Other Impulse Problems in Children and Adolescents10. Evaluating Highly Focused Problems in Children and Adolescents11. Data and Integration: Diagnosis, Recommendations, and Referrals12. Concluding Thoughts: The Professional Practice of Mental Health Evaluation