Counselors typically need to provide a diagnosis for clients after the first or second session. A diagnosis stays in the client's medical record and should be as accurate as possible. Inaccurate diagnoses lead to ineffective treatment or could have negative effects in other areas of a client's life. Various tools are used to accurately diagnose a client.Knowing which tools to use and how to use them is an essential skill for counselors.

• What do you see as the strengths and weaknesses of the DSM-5 for diagnosing depressive disorders?
• What are other tools to use for diagnosis of depressive disorders?
• What are strengths and weaknesses of 2 common assessment tools for diagnosing depressive disorders?