Mental Health Assessment with Children and Adolescents

This groundbreaking textbook offers an accessible, comprehensive guide to conducting clinical interviews and mental health assessments with children and adolescents. Designed for students and professionals in psychology, counseling, therapy, and social work, it walks readers through every stage of the assessment process—from referral to feedback—while centering culture, context, and collaboration.

Authors Sara Buckingham and Gerald Oster integrate principles from clinical, cultural, and community psychology (the ‘3 Cs’) to present a justice-oriented framework that acknowledges the structures and systems surrounding youth. With practical tools, reproducible resources, and real-world applications across diverse settings—including schools, clinics, hospitals, and legal systems—this book empowers clinicians to foster engagement, deepen understanding, and generate meaningful recommendations.