When you hear the phrase “mental health assessment”, what comes to mind?

Perhaps, you already have preconceived notions of what a psychological assessment involves or maybe you’ve never heard of it before.

In a previous blog post, we discussed some misconceptions people have about mental health conditions. Feeling anxious or stressed after a therapist recommends you undergo a mental health assessment, is another socially ingrained stigma we hope to dispel in this post.

What is a Mental Health Assessment? 

A mental health assessment is similar to that of a physical evaluation (APA). Let’s say you’re experiencing symptoms, such as unusual back pain, and it’s affecting how you perform your job or is preventing you from spending time with loved ones. Your doctor may recommend an x-ray to help diagnose what’s causing your symptoms, which in turn, will inform your clinician’s recommendations for an effective treatment method.

Having a mental health assessment performed by a licensed psychologist is no different. For example, if you are having difficulty concentrating at work, experiencing weight gain or weight loss due to stress or anxiety, or perhaps depression is causing issues in your relationships, a therapist may recommend a psychological assessment to help you understand the source of these issues and identify a course of treatment to help manage your symptoms.

How Are Mental Health Assessments Performed?

According to the American Psychological Association, psychologists may decide to perform a series of tests and assessments to help diagnosis your condition, as well as test your cognitive skills.

Your doctor may begin the assessment process with questionnaires or checklists called “norm-referenced” tests , then move on to perform more formal tests, surveys,  and interviews (APA) to help evaluate and measure your personality and aptitudes, as well as general mental or cognitive functioning behavior. The assessment process can help to identify specific symptoms you may be experiencing but are unable to explain or process.

Where Can I Learn More About Getting a Mental Health Assessment?

If you or a loved one is struggling with anxiety, anger, an eating disorder, or is experiencing difficulties at work or school, contact the Calli Institute today. Our team will walk you through the process for psychological testing and share information to help you determine if testing is right for you. To learn more about what you can expect from a mental health assessment or the types of testing we offer, visit our website for more information!

Share Post:

Ready to start feeling like your best self again?