2.1. Initial Assessment in Counselling

Friday, 24 June 2022, 1:24 PM

You are currently working within an outpatient mental health department at a large metropolitan hospital (ie Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, Toronto, or Halifax). Your clinical supervisor informs you that your intake interviews require more structure and recommends investigating screeners to address certain mental health issues such as substance use, depression, anxiety, as well as severity/risk (crisis situations). You begin a quick online search and notice terminology such as screeners and structured assessments come up. Within your current caseload, you realize the majority of clients have passive suicidality and/or comorbidity with mood/anxiety/addiction issues. The clinical supervisor emphasized the importance of time management within your initial assessment with the client, however, due to the variety of programs that your hospital offers, you recognize the importance of information gathering upon your first client meeting.

Given the situation above, would you use a screening tool or a structured assessment? Provide your rationale.

Based on your decision (screener or assessment), provide an example that may be helpful for you within this role.

Are there any recommended within your textbook or used by a large Mental Health Hospital in Canada (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Saskatchewan Hospital North Battleford, Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, The Royal Hospital (Ottawa)?

Emphasizes the importance of behavioral observations. What types of behaviors or symptoms displayed by your clients would be notable based on the types of mental health issues listed above?

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

Behavioral observations play a crucial role in assessing mental health For anxiety disorders watch for excessive worrying restlessness and avoidance b... View the full answer