Talking about the DSM-V— Tom Strong

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fifth Edition;DSM-V) is nearing publication, despite considerable controversies over its development. In this paper I provide a critical historical review of developments associated with the DSM-V, particularly as these developments relate to the practices of narrative and other constructionist practitioners. I relate the findings of recently completed research in which practitioners shared how they responded to the influence of the current DSM-IV-TR on their conversations with clients, along with ways they creatively responded to that influence. I close with suggestions for practitioners who live with administrative expectations that they use DSM-V diagnoses in their conversational work. This article is based on a paper presented to the Therapeutic Conversations X Conference, Vancouver, Canada May 12, 2012.