When treatment has stalled and psychological assessment can be used to identify the factors limiting progress, and; Questions of fitness where decisions are being made about patients based on their psychological functioning (i.e., return to work).
A Psychological Assessment involves the planned use of interviews (generally semi-structured) and specific psychometric assessments (tests) to answer questions highlighted in a referral.
My professional experience of using therapeutic psychological assessments is extremely positive. I find they bring an insight, clarity of focus and opportunity to engage with patients in an open and powerful way that I have not found in any other way or method of working.
The guidelines apply to standardized tests of ability, aptitude, achievement, atti-tudes, interests, personality, cognitive functioning, mental health, and other construct domains. APA’s (2001) “Guidelines for Test User Qualifications” were responsive to the identified problem of misuse of tests within the United States and internationally.
What is a limitation of the use of psychological assessment? Psychological reactivity and stability vary from person to person. all distinctions among members of different categories are qualitative.
Psychological limitations means specific limitations in mental and/or behavioral ability established by the physician.
Psychological tests can differ in terms of how they are scored and interpreted. Some tests are com- pleted on scannable sheets and are computer scored. Some are hand-scored by the person administering the test. Others are scored by the test takers themselves.
There are three major issues in psychological testing: reliability, validity and bias.
There are however certain limitation of psychological testing, viz., uncritical use, unfair rejection of applicants, faking of test responses, conformity and poor test administration.
The first purpose is to identify, operationally define, and measure a client's adaptive and maladaptive behaviors and treatment goals. A second purpose is to identify, operationally define, and measure factors that influence a client's adaptive and maladaptive behaviors and attainment of treatment goals.
“A psychological assessment is gathering information to evaluate a person's behavior, character, strengths, and needs for the purpose of diagnosing, setting goals, and recommending treatment,” explains Wendy Pitts, LCSW-C, a clinical social worker in Maryland.
Psychological Testing provides:Developmental abilities of clients.Increased accuracy of diagnoses.Rich information about current levels of functioning.An understanding of the problematic behaviors.Highlights areas in need of additional support.Client strengths to be incorporated into treatment.More items...•