Book excerpt: Beyond a how-to book, Assessing Woman Battering in Mental Health Services discusses the issues underlying the identification and assessment of battered women and assists clinicians in providing an appropriate and safe response for them. It presents ways to build collaboration that improves assessment and referrals, and establishes a supportive environment that enhances disclosure of woman battering, identifying potential strengths and further safety rather than increasing risks. Concluding chapters consider issues involved in assessing women of different racial backgrounds and men who battered their female partners. This timely book is directed to mental health practitioners and domestic violence workers as well as academics, researchers, and students in the helping professions.