This issue, divided into three parts, brings together some of the most renowned scholars in the field of clinical interviewing to share their experiences and advice for eliciting information from patients for the best possible results. Part I reviews innovative strategies for navigating difficult clinical interviewing tasks. Part II is a unique grouping of articles focusing on "My three tips..." written by master clinical interviewers. This section is designed to serve as an instantly useful reference on common problems in interviewing. A bonus third section guides the reader on passing the oral boards - not to be missed by residents!Contents: Approaching the Mind in Clinical Interviewing: Techniques of Soundings and Counterprojection; New Approaches for Creating the Therapeutic Alliance: Solution-Focused Interviewing, Motivational Interviewing, Medication Interest Model; Practical Interview Strategies for Building an Alliance with the Families of Patients who Have Severe Mental Illness; Talking with Patients About Spirituality and Worldview: Practical Interviewing Techniques and Strategies; How to Pass the Psychiatry Oral Board Examination; My Favorite Tips from the Clinical Interviewing Tip of the Month Archive; My Favorite Tips for Detecting Malingering/Violence Risk; My Favorite Tips for Sorting Out Diagnostic Quandaries with Bipolar Disorder and Adult Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; My Favorite Tips for Exploring Difficult Topics Such as Delusions and Substance Abuse; My Favorite Tips for Engaging the Difficult Patient on Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Services; My Favorite Tips for Uncovering Sensitive/Taboo Information from Antisocial Behavior to Suicidal Ideation; Our Favorite Tips for Getting In with Difficult Patients; Our Favorite Tips for Interviewing Veterans; Our Favorite Tips for Interviewing Couples/Families; Designing Clinical Interviewing Training Courses for Psychiatric Residents: Practical Primer for Interviewing Mentors