What is the purpose of assessment?

Screening is a type of mental health assessment, one completed very early in the therapeutic process. Other assessments, sometimes called measurements, appraisals, or tests, take place throughout the process. In general, mental health assessments are used for:

  • Identification of symptoms and problems

  • diagnosis

  • treatment planning

  • decision-making

  • identifying client strengths

  • measuring the achievement of goals

  • examining progress

  • promoting positive changes

Mental health assessment tools can also be used throughout the therapeutic process for ongoing evaluation of problems, increase knowledge, insight, and understanding, and allow both client and counselor to measure goals and progress during the treatment and at the end.