Assesment
What is Psychological Assessment?
When individuals think of psychological assessment they most often think of undergoing extensive testing via cognitive and behavioural exercises. However, this is not always what psychological assessment refers to. Rather than always being associated with rigorous scientific methods, assessment in its simplest form refers to obtaining information about individuals that could be used to determine their current level of functioning (Hood & Johnson, 2007). To give you an idea of just how simple assessment can be, the following is a list of some of the most commonly used forms of assessment in counselling:
· Interviews
· Questionnaires
· Surveys
The Purpose of Psychological Assessment
The purpose of psychological assessment is to obtain information. Through the information obtained from assessments counsellors are better able to identify the nature of a client’s concern and consider possible treatment approaches. I will equate conducting assessments to solving a puzzle. When you see all of the pieces laying out in front of you, it can be very difficult to see how they all fit together to make one cohesive unit. However, once you lay out the corner pieces and gather some information about what the end product looks like it is much easier to complete the puzzle. This is what assessment does for the counselling relationship. It allows counsellors to gather information about their clients in order to help them achieve their goals. On the other hand, there are also benefits for clients stemming from assessment procedures. Assessments enable clients be better able to understand themselves and begin planning for the future.
Back in the 1930s assessment was mainly used as a tool to assist people with making educational and vocational plans. However, today assessments are commonly used to help clients address a variety of concerns in peoples' lives. These concerns may include self esteem, personal growth, relationship difficulties, performance enhancement, or substance abuse. Oftentimes, the information obtained from assessments is used in conjunction with counselling to help clients achieve their goals. The following five categories describe the basic tenets of assessment and the types of information that can be acquired through psychological assessment.
When individuals think of psychological assessment they most often think of undergoing extensive testing via cognitive and behavioural exercises. However, this is not always what psychological assessment refers to. Rather than always being associated with rigorous scientific methods, assessment in its simplest form refers to obtaining information about individuals that could be used to determine their current level of functioning (Hood & Johnson, 2007). To give you an idea of just how simple assessment can be, the following is a list of some of the most commonly used forms of assessment in counselling:
· Interviews
· Questionnaires
· Surveys
The Purpose of Psychological Assessment
The purpose of psychological assessment is to obtain information. Through the information obtained from assessments counsellors are better able to identify the nature of a client’s concern and consider possible treatment approaches. I will equate conducting assessments to solving a puzzle. When you see all of the pieces laying out in front of you, it can be very difficult to see how they all fit together to make one cohesive unit. However, once you lay out the corner pieces and gather some information about what the end product looks like it is much easier to complete the puzzle. This is what assessment does for the counselling relationship. It allows counsellors to gather information about their clients in order to help them achieve their goals. On the other hand, there are also benefits for clients stemming from assessment procedures. Assessments enable clients be better able to understand themselves and begin planning for the future.
Back in the 1930s assessment was mainly used as a tool to assist people with making educational and vocational plans. However, today assessments are commonly used to help clients address a variety of concerns in peoples' lives. These concerns may include self esteem, personal growth, relationship difficulties, performance enhancement, or substance abuse. Oftentimes, the information obtained from assessments is used in conjunction with counselling to help clients achieve their goals. The following five categories describe the basic tenets of assessment and the types of information that can be acquired through psychological assessment.
Stages of Assessment
Problem Orientation
The first step of assessment is to help clients identify their problem(s). By identifying clients’ problems, counsellors are able to initiate the processes of recognition and acceptance. Promoting practices of exploration and self-awareness are essential because they allow clients to adequately identify and deal with their problem(s). As soon as a problematic situation is identified, counsellor and client can begin to collaboratively work toward addressing the situation in a systematic fashion.
Problem Identification
This refers to the identification of the problem in as much detail as possible. Clarification on the nature of a client’s problem helps to see how one’s problem may be exerting an influence on several areas in their life and also to set goals for the counselling process. Research has shown that counselling is most likely to achieve positive outcomes when client and counsellor agree upon the goals set for counselling (Busseri & Tyler, 2004).
Generation of Alternatives
The generation of alternatives to help resolve the problem. Assessments can help clients to view their problem from different angles in order to see what may be the best way for them to approach this issue. Exploring unique approaches that will suit clients’ strengths best is an important piece to consider here. Through the identification of different alternatives counsellors can work with clients in a fashion that caters to their unique lifestyle.
Decision Making
Anticipating the consequences of various alternatives. Assessing both the likelihood of success for each alternative as well as the attractiveness of those alternatives will enable client and counsellor to collaboratively make a decision on the best way to proceed. Decision making will allow clients to develop appropriate expectations for their progression through therapy.
Verification
Evaluating the effectiveness of counselling. Verifying that the client’s concern has been either resolved or reduced is the final stage of assessment. Interviews based on how a client will know if counselling is working for them and when they will know that their issue has been resolved is essential for determining an end point to counselling. By developing clear objectives for the counselling process, and translating these objectives into specific behavioural objectives is the best way to ensure verification. Verification is especially important to me as a counsellor because it allows me to evaluate my own effectiveness as a therapist.
The first step of assessment is to help clients identify their problem(s). By identifying clients’ problems, counsellors are able to initiate the processes of recognition and acceptance. Promoting practices of exploration and self-awareness are essential because they allow clients to adequately identify and deal with their problem(s). As soon as a problematic situation is identified, counsellor and client can begin to collaboratively work toward addressing the situation in a systematic fashion.
Problem Identification
This refers to the identification of the problem in as much detail as possible. Clarification on the nature of a client’s problem helps to see how one’s problem may be exerting an influence on several areas in their life and also to set goals for the counselling process. Research has shown that counselling is most likely to achieve positive outcomes when client and counsellor agree upon the goals set for counselling (Busseri & Tyler, 2004).
Generation of Alternatives
The generation of alternatives to help resolve the problem. Assessments can help clients to view their problem from different angles in order to see what may be the best way for them to approach this issue. Exploring unique approaches that will suit clients’ strengths best is an important piece to consider here. Through the identification of different alternatives counsellors can work with clients in a fashion that caters to their unique lifestyle.
Decision Making
Anticipating the consequences of various alternatives. Assessing both the likelihood of success for each alternative as well as the attractiveness of those alternatives will enable client and counsellor to collaboratively make a decision on the best way to proceed. Decision making will allow clients to develop appropriate expectations for their progression through therapy.
Verification
Evaluating the effectiveness of counselling. Verifying that the client’s concern has been either resolved or reduced is the final stage of assessment. Interviews based on how a client will know if counselling is working for them and when they will know that their issue has been resolved is essential for determining an end point to counselling. By developing clear objectives for the counselling process, and translating these objectives into specific behavioural objectives is the best way to ensure verification. Verification is especially important to me as a counsellor because it allows me to evaluate my own effectiveness as a therapist.
References
Dunacn, B. L., & Miller, S. D. The session rating scale: Preliminary psychometric properties of a working alliance measure. Journal of Brief Therapy, 3(1), 3-11.
Hood, A. B., & Johnson, R. W. (2001). Assessment in counselling (4th ed.). Alexandria, VA: American Counselling Association.
Tedeschi, R. G., & Kilmer, R. P. (2005). Assessing strengths, resilience, and growth to guide clinical interventions. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 36(3), 230-237.
Dunacn, B. L., & Miller, S. D. The session rating scale: Preliminary psychometric properties of a working alliance measure. Journal of Brief Therapy, 3(1), 3-11.
Hood, A. B., & Johnson, R. W. (2001). Assessment in counselling (4th ed.). Alexandria, VA: American Counselling Association.
Tedeschi, R. G., & Kilmer, R. P. (2005). Assessing strengths, resilience, and growth to guide clinical interventions. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 36(3), 230-237.