PSYCH 655 Week 6 Individual
Clinical Assessment in Health Centers
Heather L. Bienkowski
PSCYH 655
March 23, 2015
Professor Karen Hoeve
Clinical Assessment in Health Centers
Clinical assessments have their place in almost every facet of the psychological and educational realms. I have been tracking down and examining what the most important aspects of assessment are that come into play in regard to drug and substance abuse, custody battles, as well as the importance the role of adhering to the ethical standards of utilizing culturally informed assessments. Clinical assessments within mental health centers are carry great importance in the identifying underlying behavioral problems, diagnosis, and treatment of patients. Behind every assessment is a clinician who carries great responsibility in maintaining professionalism and adhering to a strict code of ethical standards in order to maintain both their personal protection as well as the utmost priority of client protection.
Assessment in mental health centers carries a large indication on how our patients are diagnosed and treatment. Clinicians employ multiple forms of assessments along the way. The journey of assessment is begun with a clinician review of important case history of the patient to determine premorbid functioning. Researchers Cohen, Swerdlik, & Sturman (2013) define premorbid functioning as the “level of psychological and physical performance prior to the development of a disorder, an illness, or a disability” (p. 490). Based on premorbid functioning levels as well as obtaining intelligence assessments clinicians can determine which treatment methods are most beneficial for the client. The use of biopsychosocial assessments can help to determine the biological, social, environmental, and cultural components that may be underlying contributors to the determining mental disorder or diagnosis. Clinicians often employ the use of interviews within the assessment process. With the use of interviews, clinicians can answer the
Heather L. Bienkowski
PSCYH 655
March 23, 2015
Professor Karen Hoeve
Clinical Assessment in Health Centers
Clinical assessments have their place in almost every facet of the psychological and educational realms. I have been tracking down and examining what the most important aspects of assessment are that come into play in regard to drug and substance abuse, custody battles, as well as the importance the role of adhering to the ethical standards of utilizing culturally informed assessments. Clinical assessments within mental health centers are carry great importance in the identifying underlying behavioral problems, diagnosis, and treatment of patients. Behind every assessment is a clinician who carries great responsibility in maintaining professionalism and adhering to a strict code of ethical standards in order to maintain both their personal protection as well as the utmost priority of client protection.
Assessment in mental health centers carries a large indication on how our patients are diagnosed and treatment. Clinicians employ multiple forms of assessments along the way. The journey of assessment is begun with a clinician review of important case history of the patient to determine premorbid functioning. Researchers Cohen, Swerdlik, & Sturman (2013) define premorbid functioning as the “level of psychological and physical performance prior to the development of a disorder, an illness, or a disability” (p. 490). Based on premorbid functioning levels as well as obtaining intelligence assessments clinicians can determine which treatment methods are most beneficial for the client. The use of biopsychosocial assessments can help to determine the biological, social, environmental, and cultural components that may be underlying contributors to the determining mental disorder or diagnosis. Clinicians often employ the use of interviews within the assessment process. With the use of interviews, clinicians can answer the
References: Cohen, R. J., Swerdlik, M. E., & Sturman, E. D. (2013). Psychological testing and assessment: An introduction to tests and measurement (8th Ed.). Retrieved from The University of Phoenix eBook Collection database.