Questions to Determine Client’s Presenting Problem The intake form I used is a mental health intake form I found on the internet, see attached form. It is extensive, seven pages long, and asks about current and past problems. The intake form asks about the current symptoms the client is experiencing, examples: depressed mood, fatigue, loss of interest, and other symptoms used to assess the client’s current mood and mental illness. The intake form includes a suicide risk assessment, and inquires about the client’s substance abuse and usage. The list of questions goes on to include medications and family medical history. It also covers things such as: education level, amount of weekly exercise, and family background and childhood history. …show more content…
I may end up feeling like a case study instead of a person. The questions are valuable, but I also think some of the answers would come out while simply talking to the client and establishing that therapeutic relationship with them. Questions and Client’s Reading Level I believe for the majority of clients this intake is reading level appropriate. The questions are straight forward and organized well, decreasing the opportunity for misunderstanding. There are a few areas that may need some clarification, such as the long list of psychiatric medications, but if a client is taking a specific medication, they can easily look that up. Another possible area that could need some explanation is the current symptoms list. I am finding it difficult to be subjective in answering if the intake form is reading level appropriate for clients because I have a high reading level. It is possible that someone with an elementary or high school reading level would struggle. Another reason I find it difficult to assess if it is reading level appropriate is I am familiar with viewing and reading intake forms. My degree is in psychology so I understand the terms and what the questions are looking for, and I am knowledgeable about the different type of psychiatric medications and what they do. Another thing to consider is the client’s mental state; if they are currently struggling with their mental illness, then they would find this form
This level of performance can sometimes have a long-lasting impact on a client’s live, therefore every possible step must be taken to insure an adequate mental health intake form is assessment being used to evaluate a client. Therefore, establishing a criterion unto which a score will be interpreted as of noticeable difference based on the purpose of the assessment. The purpose of this is some different clients can be classified into various groups. The number one priority is establishing a standard is to define the standard. This definition is not the binding, but is the reasoning behind the assessment. The establishment may be along any type of continuum, such as a quarterback’s passing rating, or a running back rushing average. Each standard is unique to its own real world assessment. Meaning the established scale should be a valid measure in a manner that is use able in a real-world assessment. Once a base for a standard has been established the next step is too look at the standard from a practical standpoint of the mental health intake assessment form. This often involves the judgment of a clinical social worker or psychologist on the forms effectiveness. Finally, with the logistics of establishing a standard for a mental health intake form has been established the process of formatting and styling the form can be addressed as well as using good
This intake packet is lengthy. I do believe it would be beneficial to the client if there were not so many questions. People coming in for services already have concerns or issues they are trying to work through. Many times, clients feel overwhelmed or anxious about beginning mental health services. This intake form, with all its questions and nine pages, may contribute to increased anxiety or be overwhelming for people. The questions are
I currently work at an SMI clinic for TERROS and I selected an intake form off of the internet instead of the intake for my work because our intake is a template that generates into a document once signed by all appropriate parties. I must say this random mental health intake form I found is extremely similar. I think these forms are now somewhat standardized and having just recently started filling out assessments of this nature and doing service plans with behavioral health recipients. I must confess it is difficult to get all of these answers out of clients and to keep their attention long enough to complete this paperwork. I feel often times we must resort to generic answers that do not give us a full understanding f who these people are and what their needs are, but it is a good resource to have a basic understanding of a client and when sharing information with other people on the clinical team good note taking skills and complete forms makes communication and client service much more efficient.
There are some questions within the intake form that can be difficult for the client to follow, as they are heavy with regards to medical terminology. When seeking information regarding substance abuse issues the intake form outlines the medical term for the different types of substances a client can be utilizing potentially making it difficult for the client to determine the types of substances that the client has chosen to utilize. Otherwise, the remainder of the form appears to be written in a way that can be understood among different reading levels.
This paper explores three different commonly administered mental health assessments. These three assessments are The Mental Status Exam (MSE) (brief version), The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). The MSE is for client mental status. The BDI accesses the level of depression a client is experiencing. The BAI accesses the level of anxiety a client is experiencing. In doing this assignment and the different practice assessments, we will get comfortable with the instruments that are utilized as a part of diagnosing and additionally treating clients with mental health illness issues. These basic tools are helpful for HUS experts to portray and comprehend the mental status of a client. While acquiring these assessments, certain data is required. The purpose, value, and usefulness of these assessments will be explained. For this paper, an anonymous pretend client will be created and a practice MSE assessment will be conducted and reported. The outcomes give a more overall comprehension of what is happening with the client so that the client can get the best treatment for their psychological illness. That overall comprehension accompanies limitations because there is not enough information provided to adequately
A need assessments systematically document the needs of potential clients who will likely be the recipients of a proposed intervention. Need assessment can answer several important questions about a potential client group, including their needs in a range of areas, their social supports or lack thereof, environmental stressors, important demographic characteristics, and the approximate number of people requesting a proposed intervention or reporting that they will use it if it is available, (pg. 294).
When clients are admitted to the RTC, a legal guardian must accompany them in order to complete the initial intake documentation. Several intake procedures are completed within the first twenty-four hours of the client’s arrival. The intake process begins with consent forms (see Appendix X) that require a signature from the legal guardian, which gives the RTC permission to treat the client. The legal guardian is asked to complete any necessary Authorization for Release of Information (see Appendix X). Next, the lead nurse conducts the Intake Behavioral Health Assessment and Service Plan (see Appendix x) with the new client. Following this assessment, the client is asked to provide a urine sample to test for substances (see Appendix X) and the
I beleive that if I cannot be open and honest with myself then how can I expect the client to be open and honest with me. Through experience I Understand how daunting it is to express your thoughts and feelings, not knowing how you will be judged or how others may react towards you. Personally by offering my clients a safe place to be listened to, showing them unconditional positive regard by showing them understanding and respect and helping them to gain back their locus of evaluation has had a positive effect on me also. I feel reassured that I am a good person that i am useful and happy in the knowledge that i have given my clients a positive experience that I have helped them through a difficult and sometimes dark confusing time I am being who I truely am as this is what I have wanted to do for some time now.
Identify the Problem: April S is a 30 year old, divorced Afro-American female with one child seeking help to deal with feelings of suicide and depression. Client reports crying daily for the six months, difficulty focusing at work, inability to doing house chores (laundry, cleaning), isolating from family and friends, weight loss of 30 lbs. in the past two weeks without dieting,
First, we will examine my initial clinical note on 8/15/16 with client, Rhonda Smith, session one. During this first session, I collected Rhonda’s demographic and intake information (Murphy & Dillon, 2015; Reamer, 2001). This included a signed consent for treatment, which we reviewed and all her questions were answered, as well as signed medical releases for previous therapy and agency records, i.e., DVIS, CPS, CASA, that will be requested (Murphy & Dillon, 2015; Reamer, 2001). Additionally, she was informed about HIPAA, patient privacy rights, billing practices, professional boundaries and expectations, and how to contact me during business hours, and after-hours crisis lines, and on-call assistance phone numbers for resources if it is outside of my business hours (Murphy & Dillon, 2015).
Past history of suicide attempts or any incidence or loss which lead to the suicide attempt.
The client that I have chosen is a woman named Rhonda. Rhonda is a mother of two children, who is experiencing some difficulties in her life. Rhonda is a 32 year old woman who has a long-term history of depression and alcoholism. She has been suffering from depression ever since she was 13 years old. Rhonda also has been suffering from post-partum depression after the birth of her children.
The mental health intake form I chose from the internet was lacking in multidimensional methodology and lacked significant information about client subsystems. Accordingly, the questions that regarded behavioral functioning did not cover presenting problems thoroughly. Specific questions about coping skills, social skills, and parenting skills were absent. Although, one question was asked regarding the client’s relationship with their children (which could insight into parenting skills), it was too open ended to get any major information. The assessment contained a section on legal history that was also not thorough. The spiritual section lacked crucial information. For instance, it did not ask about supportive relationships (i.e. name of a
Becoming acquainted with a potential client’s history, personality and present concerns is necessary in forming a foundation for counseling interventions. This information gathering phase is referred to as assessment (Mears, 2010). While some mental health professionals will use an interview as their primary assessment tool, others will utilize testing
Following referral of a confused client for treatment by healthcare professionals, an initial care plan is designed. A care plan is a treatment plan agreed between the confused client and their multidisciplinary team (MDT) to address their mental health issues. It includes an assessment of the client’s health, personal and social care needs ensuring they get the best care. The MDT works with the client to achieve specific goals. The MDT may need to change the care plan depending on client’s state of health (HSE 2016).