Autobiographical interviewing and narrative analysis: An approach to psychosocial assessment

Use of an autobiographical interviewing approach in the psychosocial assessment process allows the clinician efficient access to rich diagnostic material in a way that is comfortable for the client. This approach invites rather than discourages storytelling and is consistent with recent interest in narrative perspectives on assessment and treatment. This article describes the use of the autobiographical interview with a chemically dependent woman and details three analytical approaches for understanding the self-narratives which result.