Dr. Kennedy provides an expanded and compelling approach to multiple domains of assessment for Axis V. He provides the reader with a 100 point scale to rate psychological impairment, social skills, violence, ADL-occupational skills, substance abuse, medical impairment, and ancillary impairment. This comprehensive approach to Axis V assessment addresses many of the concerns about a single measure of global assessment of functioning. Alan M. Gruenberg, M.D., Professor, Dept of Psychiatry & Human Behavior, Jefferson Medical College; President, Gruenberg & Summers, P.C.; Chair, Work Group on Multiaxial Issues, DSM-IV-TR(R), APA Dr. Kennedy has taken the concept of global assessment of functioning to a new level. By breaking functional level into domains, a previously non specific scale has become a tangible measure of outcomes and a vital tool in the evaluation and treatment of mental illness. One of the singularly most difficult concepts in treatment planning is that of 'measurability.' Dr. Kennedy has provided a tool that can be used by all levels of mental health providers to quantify function as well as measure improvement -- possibly the single most important factor to monitor. Lauren Parsons, M.D., Clinical Director for Operations, North Texas State Hospital Mastering the Kennedy Axis V: A New Psychiatric Assessment of Patient Functioning is a thoughtfully created measurement tool that offers real potential for assessing clinical progress of mental health clients. In contrast to the GAF, the Kennedy Scale offers specific feedback on a variety of important outcome domains, each of which can be separately analyzed and incorporated into ongoing treatment plans. Moreover, the Kennedy Scale incorporates aspects of the entire well-being of clients, including their occupational skills, living situation, and financial and legal issues. Frequently, these important life domain questions are missing from mental health measurement tools. Because of its ease of scoring and orientation toward quantifiable outcomes, the Kennedy Scale will likely be a major contribution to the behavioral health community. Steve Hahn-Smith, Ph.D., Contra Costa County Health Services Department, Division of Mental Health, California

In the early 1990s, James Kennedy pioneered a systematic approach to treatment planning that since has been widely adopted. This is a hands-on guide to the powerful instrument that is at the heart of Kennedy's approach. This is a practical workbook developed to help clinicians gain essential knowledge and skills in using the K Axis. A training tool, the guide walks the reader step-by-step through the concepts and uses of the seven subscales: psychological impairment, social skills, violence, ADL-occupational skills, substance abuse, medical impairment, and ancillary impairment. Through a wide variety of clinical vignettes, readers gain practical experience in using the K Axis to rate information and create comprehensive clinical profiles.