Assessing Psychopathology

[Ready for Fall 2026]

Modified: 2026-08-04 11:49 AM CDST

Much time and effort is spent in the diagnosis of psychopathology.

Today, the DSM-5-TR and the ICD-10-CM, two separate but highly compatible classification systems, provide clinicians with a framework for diagnosis and subsequent treatment.

Diagnosis attempts to answer three questions:

1. Does the client have a problem?
2. If so, what is it?
3. How should it be treated?

Once those questions are answered, therapy can begin.