Now in a revised and expanded sixth edition, this perennially popular resource provides quick and handy access to the entire language of the mental health professions. More than a giant collection of synonyms, the book includes thousands of useful words, phrases, clinical tips, and interview questions to help practitioners conduct thorough assessments, accurately describe nearly any clinical situation, and shape raw data into effective reports. Updated for compliance with HIPAA privacy regulations, the sixth edition features easier-to-navigate, reorganized contents; numerous additional terms; matched listings for DSM-IV-TR and ICD-9 diagnostic criteria; many helpful website addresses; and, much more - all in a large-size format with convenient lay-flat binding.

Table of Contents

Getting Orientated to the Clinician's Thesaurus. Part I: Conducting a Mental Health Evaluation. Beginning and Ending the Interview. Mental Status Evaluation Questions/Tasks. Questions about Signs, Symptoms, and Other Behavior Patterns. Part II: Standard Terms and Statements for Wording Psychological Reports. A. Introducing the Report. Beginning the Report: Preliminary Information. Referral Reasons. Background Information and History. B. The Person in the Evaluation. Behavioral Observations. Responses to Aspects of the Examination. Presentation of Self. Emotional/Affective Symptoms and Disorders. Cognition and Mental Status. Abnormal Signs, Symptoms, and Syndromes. Personality Patterns. C. The Person in the Environment. Activities of Daily Living. Social/Community Functioning. Couple and Family Relationships. Vocational/Academic Skills. Recreational Functioning. Other Specialized Evaluations. D. Completing the Report. Summary of Findings and Conclusions. Diagnostic Statement/Impression. Recommendations. Prognostic Statements. Closing Statements. Part III: Useful Resources. Treatment Planning and Treatment Plan Formats. Formats for Reports, Evaluations, and Summaries. Treatments for Specific Disorders and Concerns. Listing of Common Psychiatric and Psychoactive Drugs. Psychiatric Masquerade of Medical Conditions. Appendix: A. Abbreviations in Common Use. Appendix B. Annotated Readings in Assessment, Interviewing, and Report Writing.

Reviews

'The Clinician's Thesaurus has once again been extensively revised, with the help of many suggestions from readers, to reflect clinical realities in the 21st century. Of course, the title doesn't do it justice: in addition to offering lists of synonyms, the book provides a vast smorgasbord of the materials that mental health clinicians need to evaluate patients, write reports, and navigate the often confusing nuances of nomenclature. I value it especially because its reach extends far beyond the confines of DSM-IV to address the countless questions and procedures not covered by official diagnostic manuals. This reference is indispensable for any clinician whose work depends heavily on language - in other words, all of us. It richly deserves its honored place on my desk.' - James Morrison, MD, Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University 'I've been using the Clinician's Thesaurus since the first one came out. It has been such a fantastic tool that I purchased several for other clinicians. It's good for more than writing reports - one can learn a great deal in one's clinical work. I have recently left a community mental health center where I worked for nine years doing intakes, assessments, and diagnoses. I can't tell you how valuable your book has been to me.' - Sister Dorothy Maloney, RSM, DMin