Manual for Using the MMPI-2 as a Therapeutic Intervention

by Stephen E. Finn

Overview

This manual provides a step-by-step procedure, tested in controlled research and illustrated with case examples, for using the MMPI-2 as a therapeutic intervention. Finn covers all stages of the MMPI-2 assessment, from the initial interview, through the scoring and interpretation of the test, and culminating in the feedback session. The goal of this approach is to gather accurate information about clients with the MMPI-2 and then to use this information to help clients understand themselves and make positive changes in their lives.Finn's appraoch advocates the dynamic involvement of client and assessor both before and after testing. This appraoch to assessment is very timely given the demands that managed care is making for demonstration of treatment efficacy.Stephen Finn is Director of the Center for Therapeutic Assessment in Austin, Texas.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780816628858
Publisher:	University of Minnesota Press
Publication date:	05/01/1996
Edition description:	First edition
Pages:	96
Product dimensions:	5.88(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.60(d)

Table of Contents

	The MMPI-2 as a Therapeutic Intervention	3
	General Principles Underlying the Intervention	5
Step 1.	The Initial Interview	6
	Purpose	6
	Building Rapport	7
	Framing the Client's Questions	8
	Collecting Background Information	13
	Dealing with Clients' Reservations about Assessment	15
	Hurts from Past Assessments	16
	Restating the Assessment Questions	21
	Encouraging the Client to Ask Questions	21
	Completing the Assessment Contract	22
	Introducing the MMPI-2	23
Step 2.	Preparing for the Feedback Session	29
	Interpreting and Organizing the Test Findings	29
	Tailoring the MMPI-2 Feedback to the Client	34
	Using Test Results to Facilitate Empathy	36
	Getting Emotional Support before the Feedback Session	41
Step 3.	The Feedback Session	44
	Goals	44
	The Interpersonal Quality of the Session	45
	Setting the Client at Ease	45
	Re-establishing the Collaborative Relationship	47
	Orienting the Client to the MMPI-2 Profile	48
	Answering the Client's Assessment Questions	50
	Enlisting the Client in Elaborating Test Findings	52
	When the Client Rejects a Finding	54
	The Most Common Mistake: Underreporting	58
	Pause and Support the Client's Affective Reactions	59
	Closing the Feedback Session	59
	Post-Session Check-In	61
	Special Issues Concerning Feedback Sessions	64
	Excerpts from Ms. C's Feedback Session	67
	Written MMPI-2 Reports for Clients	79
	Concluding Remarks	83
	References	85
	Tables & Figures
Table 1.	The Initial Interview	24
Table 2.	Organizing the Content of an MMPI-2 Interpretation	30
Table 3.	Ms. C - MMPI-2 Results	32
Table 4.	Implications of MMPI-2 Scale Elevations for Test Feedback	38
Table 5.	Using MMPI-2 Basic Scales to Anticipate Client Reactions	40
Table 6.	Preparatory Notes for Ms. C's MMPI-2 Feedback Session	42
Table 7.	The Feedback Session	63
Table 8.	Post-Assessment Reflections on Ms. C	77
Table 9.	Written Report Given to Ms. C and Her Response	80
Figure 1.	The MMPI-2 Intervention	4
Figure 2.	Ms. C - Basic MMPI-2 Profile	31
Figure 3.	Ms. C's Comments on the MMPI-2 Report	81