How does a therapy assessment work?

Therapeutic Assessment (TA) may help guide therapy and treatment of various mental health conditions. Often seen as a short-term intervention, TA may offer a way for clinicians to diagnose mental health conditions in clients. Other mental health professionals may use Therapeutic Assessment as part of the diagnostic and treatment process. These assessments usually involve analyzing a person's mental health status, symptoms, and goals to appropriately tailor treatment to fit their needs.

The role of therapeutic assessment 

According to the Therapeutic Assessment Institute, Therapeutic Assessment (TA) is a "brief intervention that uses psychological assessments" to guide the therapeutic process. Therapists who use TA in their practice may focus on helping clients create a helpful and clear narrative about themselves and the broader context in which they live. The TA Institute describes this kind of intervention as a collaborative process.

While some controversy exists about the usefulness of assessments when administered and interpreted in certain settings, they are widely used and continually undergo revisions. Researchers also continue to examine the specific conditions that can benefit the treatment process. 

Psychological assessments

Psychological testing through an interview with the person being examined is one of the main ways a therapy assessment is made. An interview allows the clinician or therapist to better understand the person's psychological profile, comparing behavior with previous diagnoses. After the interview, other assessments may be chosen to facilitate the diagnostic process and subsequent treatment. 

Types of psychological tests

Depending on the situation, different types of psychological tests may be used during TA. Tests may be applied to both psychological and educational contexts. According to the National Library of Medicine, "psychological tests can be categorized by the very nature of the behavior they assess (what they measure), their administration, their scoring, and how they are used." One distinction between tests is whether the assessment measures "typical behavior" used primarily in non-cognitive tests or "maximal performance" associated with cognitive tests. 

These tests might include the following:

• Ability tests, such as verbal and performance tests. Verbal tests involve asking and answering questions. Performance tests rely on activities such as handling certain objects, tracing mazes, and identifying certain patterns.
• Cognitive tests that are broken down as "speeded tests" or "power tests." 
• Non-cognitive tests in symptom validity tests intended to detect "an exaggeration of symptoms and impairments" in metrics such as psychiatric symptoms, memory, and motor skills.

Psychological assessments may include a clinical interview, observations, a record review, and standardized psychological tests. Cognitive tests are often used in performance validity tests, whereas non-cognitive testing is typically used in symptom validity tests. 

Cognitive tests may involve checking for the following six attributes:

• Memory
• Intelligence
• Processing speed
• Language
• Attention
• Executive functioning

Non-cognitive testing may focus on three measures:

• Behavioral components
• Emotional components
• Personality

These tests may be structured or unstructured. Structured tests may involve answering true or false questions, for example. Unstructured tests, on the other hand, may involve presenting an inkblot or picture to a client and asking them to describe the image in question, which is intended to tap into the person's unconscious associations. 

Another test that may be used is the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory 2 (MMPI-2), published in revised editions by the Minnesota Press. Used by clinicians to aid the diagnostic process and course of treatment, it also applies to non-clinical settings to help assess the mental health of those working in high-risk professions, such as police officers and pilots. The MMPI-2 assesses various mental health conditions in which individuals self-report their answers. 

Self-care and well-being

Self-care activities may offer significant relief in managing symptoms for those diagnosed with a mental health disorder or grappling with a mental health condition. Such activities may positively impact your mental and physical health and, in so doing, relieve stress and anxiety.

Self-care activities may include:

• Going for a walk or exercising.
• Taking a bath for relaxation.
• Seeking out green spaces, as exposure to these places has been linked with improved mental health.
• Eating a healthy, nutritious diet with vitamins and minerals to increase energy levels. Research findings also suggest that a healthy diet directly correlates to mood by affecting serotonin levels.
• Getting enough sleep without blue light from screens and monitors, as blue light has been linked with disturbing your natural circadian rhythm, the body's biological clock.
• Seeking meaningful social interaction with friends, family, and people with whom you share common interests.
• Practicing gratitude.
• Mindfulness meditation. Mindfulness meditation has been linked with reducing stress and anxiety, which can sometimes trigger depression.

While practicing any self-care approach could be helpful on its own, combining various activities may compound the benefits to one's overall well-being and mental health. 

Availing online care

If you are looking for help managing symptoms of a mental health condition, you may want to consider online therapy. Online therapists often employ a variety of approaches, which may include Therapeutic Assessment. Therapy from the comfort of your couch may help you save money on costs often associated with in-person counseling, such as transportation expenses and daycare fees.

Online counseling using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a common therapeutic approach, has been shown to be just as effective as traditional, in-person therapy. Studies suggest that it can lead to even better outcomes in some cases, as it can be used to address symptoms of various psychiatric conditions.