Roll With Impaired Reality Testing

Abstract

Interviewing patients with psychosis presents unique challenges for the clinician. These patients often suffer from problems with reality testing, apparent in the symptoms of delusions and hallucinations. In this chapter, the techniques of remaining non-judgmental and neutral in affect, providing validity to the patient’s feelings and experiences, and not colluding with the patient’s psychotic process are specifically described. By using these approaches, the clinician increases the likelihood of an interaction that is productive and builds rapport with the patient. The chapter also addresses limitations to these techniques.