Assessment
Prepare for a useful assessment
Understand interviews, screening, diagnosis, formulation, safety and second opinions.
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What Happens in a Mental Health Assessment
This guide focuses on history, symptoms, functioning, physical health, medication, substance use, safety, strengths, and preferences. It explains what deserves attention, how qualified professionals approach uncertainty, and which treatment or support questions can make the next step safer and more useful.
Assessment & DiagnosisHow Mental Health Diagnoses Are Made
This guide focuses on clinical interviews, diagnostic criteria, collateral information, uncertainty, and review over time. It explains what deserves attention, how qualified professionals approach uncertainty, and which treatment or support questions can make the next step safer and more useful.
Assessment & DiagnosisMental Health Screening Tests
This guide focuses on what questionnaires can and cannot establish and how results inform a fuller assessment. It explains what deserves attention, how qualified professionals approach uncertainty, and which treatment or support questions can make the next step safer and more useful.
Assessment & DiagnosisPsychiatric Evaluation
This guide focuses on the scope of a medical psychiatric review, mental state examination, risk, diagnosis, and treatment options. It explains what deserves attention, how qualified professionals approach uncertainty, and which treatment or support questions can make the next step safer and more useful.
Assessment & DiagnosisPsychological Assessment
This guide focuses on clinical interviews, standardized measures, formulation, cognitive testing, and feedback. It explains what deserves attention, how qualified professionals approach uncertainty, and which treatment or support questions can make the next step safer and more useful.
Assessment & DiagnosisDifferential Diagnosis in Mental Health
This guide focuses on distinguishing overlapping psychiatric, medical, medication-related, substance-related, and situational causes. It explains what deserves attention, how qualified professionals approach uncertainty, and which treatment or support questions can make the next step safer and more useful.
Assessment & DiagnosisPreparing for a First Therapy Appointment
This guide focuses on goals, history, practical questions, confidentiality, fit, and what to expect. It explains what deserves attention, how qualified professionals approach uncertainty, and which treatment or support questions can make the next step safer and more useful.
Assessment & DiagnosisPreparing for a Psychiatry Appointment
This guide focuses on symptom timeline, medicines, physical health, prior treatment, safety, and shared decisions. It explains what deserves attention, how qualified professionals approach uncertainty, and which treatment or support questions can make the next step safer and more useful.
Assessment & DiagnosisSecond Opinions in Mental Health Care
This guide focuses on when another assessment helps, transferring records, diagnostic uncertainty, and respectful review. It explains what deserves attention, how qualified professionals approach uncertainty, and which treatment or support questions can make the next step safer and more useful.
Assessment & DiagnosisTracking Symptoms Without Becoming Overwhelmed
This guide focuses on brief monitoring of mood, sleep, triggers, medication effects, functioning, and warning signs. It explains what deserves attention, how qualified professionals approach uncertainty, and which treatment or support questions can make the next step safer and more useful.