Week 4 - Assessment Flashcards
Assessment is largely viewed as an “________ ________” driven by the referral question
Why may it be controversial?
Objective process
May include recommendations that are not in favour of the client’s best interests
Intervention is largely “______- _______”
Client - driven
Must be aware of dual or multiple relationships
List the process of assessment…
Referral question
Formulate questions
Develop a plan
Collect data (many diff sources)
Interpret data
Synthesize and conceptualize data
Formulate hypotheses regarding referral question
Develop conclusions
What are some competencies in psych assessment that are EXPECTED at the point of licensure?
(Must become proficient in all these areas to be able to practice)
***From Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards
• Apply knowledge of individual and cultural characteristics in assessment and diagnosis
• Demonstrate effective interviewing
• Select instruments based on available normed data and/or criterion-referenced standards, and address any limitations in that selection
• Administer and score instruments following current guidelines and psychometric research
• Interpret and synthesize results from multiple sources following current guidelines and psychometric research
• Formulate diagnoses, recommendations and/or professional opinions using relevant criteria and considering all assessment data
• Communicate assessment results in an integrative manner
• Evaluate effectiveness of psychological services
What is the purpose of assessment-focused?
Services conducted primarily to provide information on a person’s psychosocial functioning
What is the purpose of intervention-focused?
Assessments conducted in the context of intervention services
How can assessment work as an intervention?
Assessments can be used as the FIRST STAGE in therapy
Includes gathering information in a more CASUAL, therapy-informed manner
CARE is made to developing and strengthening the therapeutic alliance
Purpose is getting to KNOW your client, working toward establishing collaborative goals, and planning treatment strategies
NOT as formal
What are intake/screening assessments?
A procedure to IDENTIFY individuals who may have problems of a clinical magnitude or who may be at RISK for developing such problems
BRIEF, FOCUSED assessments that aim to provide an overview of the person, suggest probable problems or diagnoses, and make broad recommendations
May be used as a means of TRIAGING THE URGENCY of problems
(Trying to find out who needs this assessment FIRST)
Recommendations may include FURTHER assessment
What are diagnostic assessments?
Focus is on providing a COMPREHENSIVE conceptualization of a client’s presentation and presenting problems
A DESCRIPTION of the patient that provides information on his or her life situation, current problems, and a set of HYPOTHESIS linking psychosocial factors with the patient’s clinical condition.
May be SPECIFICALLY TAILORED to the presence or absence of a particular diagnosis (e.g., intellectual disability)
***May also include treatment recommendations and planning
What are prognosis/prediction assessments?
PREDICTIONS made about the future course of a patient’s psychological functioning
Based on the use of ASSESSMENT DATA in combination with relevant EMPIRICAL literature
*** VERY IMPORTANT WHEN PREDICTING
Considerations:
- possible errors (sensitivity and specificity)
- base rates: the frequency with which a problem or diagnosis occurs in the population (what’s the rate of reoffending?)
- communication of prognosis (have to be specific, but not too general)
What is treatment planning?
Client’s CONTEXT (including sociodemographic and psychological characteristics, diagnoses, and life circumstances) is used in combination with the SCI LITERATURE on psychotherapy to develop a course of action that addresses the client’s needs and circumstances
Problem identification
Treatment goals (collab)
Treatment strategies
Options for the client
Expectations for the client
Expected outcomes
What is treatment monitoring/evaluation?
***HARD to do now (easier with groups)
Focus is on continual feedback in treatment to MONITOR its progress
Can be anywhere from sessional to yearly or as a pre and post treatment
May include:
- cient’s feedback – verbally or through self-report
measures
- external data – e.g., number of hospital visits
- collateral feedback – parents’ thoughts
Testing is….?
Standard administration & scoring
Yield scores on a MEASURE
Can be conducted by a trained tech
Assessment is…?
Addresses a SPECIFIC question
Multiple sources of data (standardized testing & review)
Integration & interpretation
True or false. Psychological testing is seen as a unique area to psychology
True
Helps provide additional data
