Clinical assessment is used by psychologists in order to determine the presence of a psychological disorder, made up of a number of psychological symptoms. During the clinical interview, the psychologist gathers information on the client’s family and medical history, employment and social functioning, and the individual’s psychological history, including past treatment and family psychological history. These factors and others can impact a person’s mental health and well-being.
The overall goal of the clinical assessment is to give the psychologist a comprehensive understanding of the client and his/her behavior. This evaluation is significant in determining diagnosis and for treatment planning. Sometimes, clinical evaluations are more informal, made during the initial interview with a client beginning psychotherapy. At other times, they entail structured interviews and other assessment tools used to answer a specific referral question, such as competency of the client.