Intake interview

Intake interviews are the most common type of interview in clinical psychology. They occur when a client first comes to seek help from a clinician.

The intake interview is important in clinical psychology because it is the first interaction that occurs between the client and the clinician. The clinician may explain to the client what to expect during the interview, including the time duration. The purpose of the intake interview often includes establishing and diagnosing any problems the client may have. Usually, the clinician diagnoses the patient using criteria from the first two DSM axes. Some intake interviews include a mental status examination During the intake interview, the clinician may determine a treatment plan. In some cases, particular clinician may feel that he or she lacks the expertise to best help the client. It is during the intake interview that the clinician should refer the client to another source.