Book excerpt: 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-- - Editor is Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Institute for Human Identity - Presents a realistic model of interviewing, and cautions the therapist in training not to grasp for the unreachable; perfection - Every chapter in the book discusses the insights and mistakes by the psychologist conducting the interview