Are you interested in having a psychological assessment but wonder what you can learn from the results? These assessments can provide answers to questions about mental health as well as a definitive diagnosis.
Whether a person completes a psychological assessment online or in person, they should rely on a mental health expert to interpret the results. Too often, assessments created by non-professionals are more “pop psychology” and aren’t in-depth enough. Renewal Oasis provides psychological assessments or can look at the results of one taken by a person and help them understand the state of their mental health. This helps them receive an official diagnosis and begin planning a treatment plan to help them.
What is a Psychological Assessment?
A psychological assessment is a thorough evaluation of the state of a person’s mental health, including a diagnosis of any existing mental health disorders. It can be done by using standardized testing, medical testing (to rule out physical causes of symptoms), talk therapy, questionnaires, and interviews.
A person has a psychological assessment done when they feel concerned about their mental health. They typically experience certain symptoms that can indicate a disorder exists. For example, someone may feel depressed and hopeless but not know if it’s a temporary state of being or if they have a depressive disorder.
An assessment can also be done for different reasons. For example, a company may require it to provide a clearance for certain types of jobs. A judge may require someone to undergo a psychological assessment to determine their ability to participate in a court case.
A psychological assessment should be performed by a mental health professional, which includes psychiatrists, psychologists, and mental health counselors. Once a full assessment is completed, a treatment plan can be devised to target the exact disorders and symptoms the person experiences.
What to Expect During Your Psychological Assessment
Psychological testing is not something a person can study or prepare for in advance. There are two types of tools to determine the state of one’s mental health. The first is using a test which can include a questionnaire that is fairly short or quite extensive. These tests are standardized and help the person providing the assessment to determine a diagnosis and a resulting treatment plan. With children, these tests can be used to compare the child’s state of mental health and abilities compared to others.
The other tool to help determine someone’s mental health is called an assessment. It differs from a test because it is more conversation-based. The counselor conducting the assessment will ask questions about a person’s history of mental health, emotions, thoughts, and behaviors, as well as how they currently feel, think, and act. During the interview, the professional can observe how the individual reacts to questions and the information they provide. An assessment may include others who know the person being interviewed, such as parents or teachers, in the case of children.
How to Understand Your Psychological Report
If a person takes a psychological assessment they find in online or written form, they should take their results to a mental health professional. A thorough and accurate understanding of the results of the report can only be completed by a person trained in the identification and treatment of mental health disorders. The professional who interprets the assessment will answer any questions the individual has about their mental health. They may also have the person do an assessment conducted by the professional themselves.
What Comes After Your Psychological Assessment?
What happens after completing a psychological assessment depends on a couple of factors. If the evaluation is done by a psychiatrist who focuses on diagnoses and medication management, they can refer the individual to a specialist who treats their mental illness.
If the assessment is done by a psychologist or other mental health counselor, they may be able to begin treating the person themselves. However, if not, they can provide referrals to another professional who can help them. If the individual has difficulty finding a treatment plan for themselves, they can contact their insurance company. They should provide the diagnosis they received and ask for available treatment professionals in their area.
Once a person has completed their treatment plan, they can be reassessed to determine how much progress they have made. For those who have a curable mental health disorder, they may have reached the state of being cured. For those who have a chronic condition, a new assessment can quantify how much progress they have made in terms of fewer symptoms experienced.
Contact Renewal Oasis About Our Treatment Options
Are you interested in finding out more about your current state of mental health? Sometimes people have symptoms of a mental health disorder but don’t know what’s going on. Doing an assessment can provide definitive answers and allow a mental health counselor to construct a treatment plan. Renewal Oasis provides cutting-edge treatment for a variety of mental illnesses. We provide both residential and outpatient treatment that features several types of therapies. We can provide a psychological assessment for you or help interpret one you have already done.
Contact us today to find out how to understand the scope of your mental health status. Our friendly admissions staff is waiting to talk to you and give you the answers you need.
Published: 11/25/2024
