What is a mental health evaluation?
A mental health evaluation is a comprehensive process that involves gathering information to assess an individual's mental health needs. If a client is seeking only a mental health evaluation, they will receive a clinical diagnosis and recommendations for treatment. This process typically includes a series of questions and conversations with a mental health professional, as well as standardized psychological testing, to evaluate the individual's symptoms, behaviors, emotions, and thought patterns. The clinician may also review the individual's medical and personal history, as well as any relevant family history, to gain a more complete understanding of the individual's mental health status and needs.
Mental Health Evaluation
What is covered during the Mental Health Evaluation?
A Mental Health Evaluation involves discussing various aspects of an individual's life with a clinician. The following topics are typically covered during the assessment:
Personal history, including childhood history, military history, and family circumstances (including custody issues)
Initial symptoms and current mental status
Diagnostic impression and treatment recommendations
Use of alcohol and/or drugs
Home environment and relationships with family and peers
Leisure and recreational activities
Financial status and vocational/educational assessment
Legal assessment and concerns about safety of self or others
Nutritional and health status
Spirituality
Usual social and peer group activities
Strengths
Why Might Someone Want a Diagnostic Assessment?
A Mental Health Evaluation serves various purposes, as there are many reasons why someone may seek it. While some individuals may undergo the assessment to find answers and achieve peace of mind, others may require a diagnosis for reasons such as receiving testing accommodations in academic settings, places of employment, testing centers, legal/court settings, or obtaining appropriate prescriptions for their behavioral health disorder. Regardless of the reason, seeking a diagnostic assessment is a crucial first step towards receiving appropriate care.
Common referrals for diagnostic assessment may include:
Depression treatment
Anxiety treatment
Substance abuse treatment
Grief counseling
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment
Evaluation for suicidal thoughts
Mental health counseling
Anger management counseling
After the diagnostic assessment, a personalized treatment program will be recommended to the individual. This program may include a combination of the following services, tailored to the person's specific needs:
Counseling with a therapist or doctor
Group counseling
Case management
Substance use disorder treatment
Treatment with your primary care doctor
Specialized services