Clinical Assessment Flashcards
Interviews
Used to make a diagnosis, pinpoint areas of concern or help a client deal with everyday issues or make life decisions. Can be wide or narrow in content and have high or low structure. May be a stress interview (deliberately stress client), hypnotic (not used due to suggestibility) or cognitive.
Mental Status Examination
Highly structured examination which measures physical, cognitive and emotional state. Not diagnostic but is used in hospitals to determine if a mental health specialist is needed.
Diagnostic Tests
Include Beck’s Depression Inventory and the MCMI-III. Used to diagnose mental disorders, however tests are often transparent and don’t provide much information. Better to conduct and interview and establish the reasons why the person is displaying symptoms.
