Week Two - Diagnosis & Assessment

Question 1

Explain the initial interview?

Answer 1

An effective way of obtaining info about client eg background
Builds a foundation for subsequent sessions - direction depends on quality of initial assessment

Question 2

Assessment process?

Answer 2

referral
meet with client
initial interview
clinical interview
administration of assessment tools
collateral reports

Question 3

Initial interview info to collect?

Answer 3

info about presenting problem
history related to problem
past/current coping
past/current treatments
education/employment/medical/social/family
risk assessment
goals
readiness/motivation

Question 4

Sequence of obtaining info in initial interview?

Answer 4

Start with least threatening topics, more sensitive near the end - as session progresses, more rapport will be established making it easier

Question 5

How to begin initial interview?

Answer 5

Begin with orientation to the session
Talk about confidentiality and limits
Then some Q’s about what brought them here

(good use of open-ended q’s)

Question 6

Cormier’s 11 categories?

Answer 6

1. explain purpose of assessment
2. explore range of concerns
3. prioritising issues
   4-7. identifications of issues (behaviour, antecedents, consequences)
4. identify prev solutions already tried
5. identify client resources/strengths
6. explore client perception of issue
7. examine intensity of issue

Question 7

What is the MSE?

Answer 7

A brief, organised interview that assesses a client’s emotional, intellectual and neurological functioning.

Question 8

Parts assessed in the MSE?

Answer 8

appearance & behaviour
speech
mood and affect
form and content of thought
perception
cognition (consciousness, memory, concentration, orientation - time, place and person)
insight

Question 9

Semi-structured interview

Answer 9

standard protocol to adhere to

• designated questioning but allows flexibility in phrasing/asking etc
• helps in diagnosis

Question 10

How do self-report measures help?

Answer 10

Assist with confirming diagnosis as it gives info about symptom severity, intensity and frequency. Also helps to monitor symptoms actress treatment

Question 11

Collateral reports?

Answer 11

Info collected from others (eg partner, parent, teacher, med practitioner, court docs)

Question 12

Diagnosis is a?

Answer 12

Categorical construct

Question 13

Advantages of diagnosis?

Answer 13

Helps quick communication
Helps client understand
Helps inform treatment
Helps to normalise for client

Question 14

Disadvantages for diagnosis?

Answer 14

Not everyone fits into diagnostic category
Distressing symptoms that do not meet criteria for disorder
Stigma
Can be distressing

Question 15

Cultural bias in assessment/diagnosis?

Answer 15

Culture can influence

• risk factors
• types of symptoms experienced
• willingness to seek help
• availability of treatments

Measures developed for one culture not always relevant for another

Question 16

Important aspects to consider in assessment/diagnosis?

Answer 16

reliability
validity
normative sample

Question 17

Case formulation?

Answer 17

Gives further understanding why the person is experiencing their difficulties in context of a theoretical framework

Question 18

Case formulation has been criticised for?

Answer 18

Having low interrater reliability - can be improved with training

Question 19

5 p’s of case formulation?

Answer 19

predisposing factors 
precipitating factors
presenting issues
perpetuating factors
protective factors

Question 20

Diagnosis is usually made according to?

Answer 20

a nosological/categorial system