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A thorough understanding of the causes of emotional distress and other behavioral health concerns is an important first step in creating a plan of action to overcome them.
At your first appointment an experienced behavioral health professional will talk with you and others you consider important in understanding the challenges you face. Based upon this information, a written Diagnostic Assessment Report is prepared that includes the following information and/or observations:
• A list of your concerns
• A description of current functioning in a number of important areas of life (e.g. mental status, school or work setting, family life, other significant relationships)
• Important past events that may help in the understanding of the current situation
• The strengths and assets that you bring to your current concerns
This information is brought together with the training and experience of your behavioral health professional to create an initial assessment and plan to be of service to you and your family. This is shared with you at that time so that you can decide whether this meets your needs.
While formal assessment usually takes place at the beginning of your experience with us, it is important to understand that useful understanding of your circumstances will evolve over time. This new information is continually integrated so that we are able to use our time with you to your best possible advantage.
Sometimes additional, specialized assessments are necessary to thoroughly understand your needs. If this is so, this will be explained and recommended to you for your consideration. These assessments may include one or more of the following:
• A PSYCHIATRIC evaluation provided by a doctor or specially trained nurse
• A PSYCHOLOGICAL evaluation
• A SUBSTANCE USE evaluation (drug and/or alcohol)
• A CHILD DEVELOPMENT evaluation (mostly for pre-school children)
It may be necessary for some further evaluation to be done by someone other than our staff. If this is so, we will help you make the necessary connections.
All findings and recommendations from specialized assessments are integrated into your service plan.
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