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Interviewing Strategies, Rapport, and Empathy

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Diagnostic Interviewing

Abstract

The two main tasks of a clinician are to accurately assess client symptoms and then to effectively treat these symptoms. What ties these two tasks together is the clinical diagnosis. Diagnosis has been defined as the “identification and labeling of a psychiatric disorder by examination and analysis” (Segal, Maxfield, & Coolidge, 2008, p. 371). It is essential that clinicians arrive at a reliable and valid diagnosis to successfully treat the disorder and ameliorate client distress. In order to do this, clinicians must be able to effectively interview clients. Effective interviewing involves both technical knowledge, such as what subject areas to cover, and interpersonal skills, such as the ability to create rapport and respond empathically with clients. This chapter will address both areas. Technical knowledge will be addressed by reviewing the main diagnostic interviewing strategies that have been utilized in the field, whereas interpersonal skills will be addressed by reviewing the extant literature on empathy and rapport.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Professional Psychology, HPC/Pacific University, 222 SE 8th Avenue, Suite 563, Hillsboro, OR, 97123-4218, USA

    Catherine Miller

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  1. Catherine Miller
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Correspondence to Catherine Miller .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. Psychology, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, Austin Bluffs Parkway 1420, Colorado Springs, 80933, U.S.A.

    Daniel L. Segal

  2. School of Professional Psychology, Pacific University, S.E. 8th Avenue, Suite 563 222, Hillsboro, 97123-4218, U.S.A.

    Michel Hersen

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Miller, C. (2010). Interviewing Strategies, Rapport, and Empathy. In: Segal, D., Hersen, M. (eds) Diagnostic Interviewing. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1320-3_2

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