Risk Assessment

Basic Sequence of an Intake Session

• greetings

• initial paperwork

• initial screening inventories

• intake interview - including risk assessment

• coping plan - if necessary

• follow-up plan

• ending

Assessment at Intake

• review assessment data

• gather info

  • presenting issue

  • symptoms

  • impact on functioning

• explore emotional experience, express empathy, create safe holding environment

• client appearance and behavior

• presenting issue

• history of presenting issue and related issues

• level of functioning

  • physiological, work, relationships, leisure

• biographical history

  • including mental & physical illness (self and family)

• risk assessment

  • suicide and self-harm, substance use, abuse history

• previous counseling experience

  • including attitudes toward counseling

Phrasing Intake Questions

• closed questions

  • can be answered in a few words

  • provide focus and specific info

  • is, are, do have, what?

    • is this your first time coming to counseling

    • do you feel safe in your current living environment

• open questions

  • require more than one or two word answers

Assessing Symptoms

• a symptom is a behavior, feeling, or experience that differs from normal functioning and indicates the presence of a larger issue

  • difficulty sleeping a symptom of a variety of conditions

• nature

• frequency

• duration and potential activating event

• specifics about setting and timing

• history

Level of Functioning

• symptoms interfering with daily functioning

• include the symptom as well as resulting impact on functioning

  • social

  • occupational

  • affective

  • cognitive

  • physical symptoms

Client History

• family of origin and choice

• culture

• social support

• romantic and sexual relationships

• medical and mental health