The role of diagnosis in counselling and psychotherapy

Further reading

It is worth familiarising yourself with the diagnostic categories generally used in discussions of counselling and psychotherapy clients. The ‘mood disorders? and ‘anxiety disorders?, particularly, relate to sadness and fear:

• American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th edn). Washington, DC: APA.

This is a very readable introduction to the history of how ‘madness? and ‘mental illness? have been understood and treated over time:

• Bentall, R. (2003). Madness Explained. London: Penguin.

This engaging book focuses on psychiatric diagnosis and the DSM, presenting a critical perspective on the definitions of ‘mental disorders? put forward:

• Kutchins, H. and Kirk, S. A. (1997). Making Us Crazy. London: Constable.

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