• Clinical Psychology

  • the branch of psychology that has its primary focus on the prevention diagnosis, and treatment of abnormal behavior with a focus on the more severe forms of psychopathology

  • clinical psychologists receive training in psychological assessment and psychotherapy

  • these professionals are employed in hospitals, mental health centers, independent practice and academia

• Counseling Psychology

  • a branch of psychology that shares similar concerns with clinical psychology, but instead focuses on the more “everyday” concerns of human life

  • the tools employed by both branches of psychology overlap considerably

An Overview

• various questions addressed through the use of assessment tools in clinical or counseling psychology include

  • Does this patient have a mental disorder?

    • clinical assessment may be undertaken for various reasons and to answer a variety of questions

    • for clinical psychologists, assessment tools may be used to clarify the problem, make a diagnosis, or design a treatment plan

    • data derived may confirm or refute a clinician’s preliminary hypotheses based on the clinical interview

  • What is the diagnosis?

  • What is this person’s current level of functioning?

    • Premorbid Functioning: the level of psychological and physical performance prior to the development of a disorder, illness, or disability

  • How does their current level of functioning compare with others in their cohort?

  • What type of treatment can benefit this individual?

    • not all individuals that seek psychotherapy are suffering from a mental disorder

    • many people seek psychotherapy for purposes of personal growth or support in coping with a difficult life circumstance

  • How can this person’s personality best be described?

The Diagnosis of Mental Disorders

• Frequently, assessment tools are used to make diagnoses

• The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic Statistic Manual (DSM) is the primary reference source for diagnosis

The Interview in Clinical Assessment

• a clinician interview may be conducted for several reasons

  • to arrive at a diagnosis

  • to pinpoint areas that must be addressed in psychotherapy

  • to determine whether an individual will harm himself or others

  • to guide decisions about what else needs to be done to assess an individual

• General Interview Questions

  • demographic data

  • reason for referral

  • medical history and present medical conditions

  • familial medical history

  • psychological history and present psychological conditions

  • history with medical or psychological professionals

• Mental Status Examination

  • an examination intended to screen for intellectual, emotional, and neurological deficits

    • appearance, behavior, orientation, psychomotor activity, state of consciousness, thought content, thought processes, judgment, sensorium, affect, mood, personality, memory, intellectual resources, and insight