The DSM and the Professional Counseling Identity: Bridging the Gap.

Many of the values, assumptions, and philosophies inherent in the DSM diagnostic system conflict with those of the mental health counseling profession. This article describes these conflicts; provides clinical practice suggestions for addressing these issues when using the DSM system; and offers strategies for bridging the divide between mental health counseling's professional identity, and the DSM system of conceptualization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]