Types of psychological Assessment

Stand-alone assessment

Information provided that addresses a person's current or anticipated psychosocial strengths & areas of difficulty

Stand-alone assessment includes

Evaluating psychological functioning for child custody decisions, WSIB, school supports etc. Providing diagnosis to access services, screening

Screening

Using a tool to identify a disorder, condition, or risk factor

Intervention-focused assessment

Diagnosis/case formulation, treatment planning, treatment monitoring & treatment evaluation

Diagnosis/case formulation

Development of an understanding of the basis/etiology of the problem to inform treatment

First step in intervention-focused assessment

Is gathering info about appropriate treatment, may be initial questionnaire for intake evaluation at a clinic, diagnosis/ case formulation

Treatment planning

Great deal of assessment is designed to inform treatment -related decisions. Problem identification, treatment goals, treatment strategies

Treatment monitoring

Closely monitor impact of treatment through interviews & brief psychological tests enables plans to change to better meet the patient's needs

Post-treatment evaluation

Treatment effectiveness, services for individual clinicians, info about the intervention, client response to treatment