Week Notes

Question 1

What is assessment?

Answer 1

A systematic method of gathering & integrating data to evaluate behavior, abilities, and other characteristics- particularly for the purpose of diagnosis

Question 2

What is the purpose of assessments?

Answer 2

To gather information regarding the client for variety of purposes, including client decision-making, treatment planning, and forensic proceedings.

Question 3

What does SEASIC mean?

Answer 3

• Select
• Evaluate
• Administer
• Score
• Interpret
• Communicate

Question 4

What are some of the legal/ethical considerations related to assessments?

Answer 4

Cultural considerations of diagnosis, are tests beneficial to client, etc.

Question 5

How do assessments fit within the scope of practice for LMFT/LPCC?

Answer 5

LMFT- no projective techniques

LPCC- only 2 projective techniques, to assess personality. No IQ testing, neurological, and only 3 tests for psychosis, dementia, amnesia, cognitive impairment, or criminal behavior

Question 6

How to assess your scope of competence?

Answer 6

Know when to refer out!

Question 7

What are structured assessments?

Answer 7

More standardized set of questions, provide stability/reliability, and limits counselor to probe for more details

Question 8

What are unstructured assessments?

Answer 8

Greater counselor rapport/further follow up, but can miss key concepts.

Question 9

What are different types of assessments?

Answer 9

• Interview
• Structured
• Unstructured
• Semi-Structured

Question 10

Describe clinical observations.

Answer 10

Gather information to conceptualzie presenting concerns, evaluate for referral or triage, develop diagnosis, collaborate in treatment planning, and evaluate progress/outcomes.

Question 11

Describe Research Observations.

Answer 11

Operationalize concepts to measure predictor variables or outcomes.

Question 12

What is the difference between standardized and non-standardized measures?

Answer 12

• Standardized is uniform procedures for test administration objective scoring, and use of representative norm (e.g., IQ test)
• Non-standardized is rating scales, projective techniques, behavioral observation, and biographical measures.

Question 13

What is the difference between criterion-referenced vs. norm-referenced tests.

Answer 13

• Criterion: comparison with an absolute score established by an authority
• Norm: comparison w/ scores obtained by other individuals

Question 14

Define Sensitivity.

Answer 14

The probability of a cutoff score on a particular test or measure to accurately detect those who meet criteria for a diagnosis/condition (true positive)

Question 15

Define Specificity.

Answer 15

The probability of a cutoff score to correctly identify those who do not meet criteria for a diagnosis (true negative).

Question 16

Why are Sensitivity and Specificity important for clinical practice?

Answer 16

Diagnostic accuracy, access to treatment/resources, considerations for interpreting, evaluating holistically.

Question 17

Regarding Sensitivity and Specificity, which results in higher false positives and why?

Answer 17

Sensitivity because the cutoff is lowered, meaning more people will meet criteria.

Question 18

Regarding Sensitivity and Specificity, which results in higher false negatives and why?

Answer 18

Specificity, because when the cutoff score is raised, more people that have the disorder no longer meet the criteria.

Question 19

Why is substance abuse screening important?

Answer 19

Safety, medication interactions, insight on client’s worldview/functioning, understanding client’s coping mechanisms.