Abstract
This paper briefly reviews discourse analytic work of clinical relevance (eg. on psychotherapy, professional talk and diagnosis) and illustrates the use of one kind of discourse analysis within a social constructionist theoretical framework and a practical deconstructionist political stance by providing an analysis of excerpts from interviews with a professional and a user of mental health services relating to the issue of psychiatric diagnosis. It is argued that such methods and theories lead to the reconceptualisation of clinical 'problems' and a deconstructive and discursive framework is briefly proposed as an alternative to traditional conceptions. The implications of this for the practical organisation and delivery of services are considered.