The Initial Psychotherapy Interview

This book provides comprehensive coverage of the initial interview with a gay male client. It first provides a transcript of the entire interview. It then covers in-depth a set of universal themes, and finally includes commentary on and analysis of the interview from a range of the most widely used theoretical perspectives.

It is designed to teach the foundations of conducting an initial interview and therapists in training, as well as experienced mental health workers will find it invaluable.

--Winner of the Distinguished Book Award, APA 2011--

"Therapists are often called on to work with gay patients, but may not feel sufficiently qualified to deal with the issues associated with being a sexual minority. This volume is precisely what practicing therapists need to read to increase their clinical effectiveness with this population. Vividly illustrated with clinical material, it contains invaluable information for working with gay patients."—Marvin R. Goldfried, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor, President, Society of Clinical Psychology (APA Div 12), Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, NY

"A powerful, captivating account of how a clinician approaches the initial interview with a gay male. The author uses the personal, narrative transcript of the interview as a jumping off point for an insightful discussion that guides the reader through the experiences of a gay man entering psychotherapy. The transcript and Dr. Silverstein’s subsequent chapters would be enough to make this book an excellent purchase—-but he goes on to provide a multi-faceted exploration of various treatment modalities and perspectives from various clinicians. The book includes well-researched Review of the dark time in psychology where homosexuality was seen as a mental disorder. This is an excellent resource for clinicians new to conducting an initial clinical interview as well as seasoned clinicians looking for new perspectives and ideas. A solid investment."—Brian Van Brunt, Ed.D., President- American College Counseling Association, Director of Counseling and Testing at Western Kentucky University

"Charles Silverstein has always been a pioneer in the treatment of LGBT patients. In presenting his patient’s process notes and then inviting input from seasoned clinicians working in diverse perspectives, he creatively uses therapist subjectivity as a learning tool. Novice therapists will find The Initial Interview: A Gay Man Seeks Treatment a relief from over-idealized therapeutic models of "objectivity"and possibly even a useful roadmap in developing their own therapeutic approach. Seasoned therapists treating gay patients will find many clinical pearls here as well."—Jack Drescher, MD, Author, Psychoanalytic Therapy and the Gay Man