Assessment 1
Assessing the overall psychological well-being of the client is the purpose of what tool?
a. IQ Test
b. Mental Status Exam (MSE)
c. Biopsychosocial
d. Diagnostic Interview
WHAT IS…
Mental Status Examination (MSE)
The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) is an example of…
a. A projective personality test
b. A self-report questionnaire
c. An intelligence test
d. A mental status examination
WHAT IS…
A self-report questionnaire
Symptoms of a panic attack, shortness of breath, and chest pain = initial diagnostic consideration of?
WHAT IS…
Panic Disorder
A client reports feeling “on top of the world” for the past week and has been engaging in risky behavior such as spending large amounts of money. Which diagnosis is most likely?
WHAT IS…
Bipolar I Disorder, Manic Episode
A counselor asks the client about their current concerns, family history, and any previous counseling experiences during the intake process. What is the primary purpose of this?
a. To establish a treatment plan
b. To understand the client’s presenting issues and history
c. To evaluate the client’s readiness for counseling
d. To provide a diagnosis for insurance purposes
WHAT IS...
To understand the client’s presenting issues and history
During an intake interview, a counselor notices that the client seems hesitant to discuss certain topics and avoids eye contact when talking about family issues. What is the best way for the counselor to address this behavior?
a. Ignore the behavior and continue with the interview
b. Directly confront the client about the avoidance
c. Gently explore the client’s reluctance to discuss the family issues
d. Refer the client to another counselor
WHAT IS...
Gently explore the client’s reluctance to discuss the family issues
Two major considerations when selecting an assessment tool
WHAT IS…
Reliability and Validity
True or False:
Perception is included on the biopsychosocial.
WHAT IS…
False!
A client reports experiencing mood swings and impulsive behaviors. What type of personality disorder might this suggest?
What is…
Borderline Personality Disorder
A client experiences intense fear of being judged by others, resulting in significant distress when attending social gatherings. This is most indicative of:
A. Social Anxiety Disorder
B. Panic Disorder
C. Agoraphobia
D. Specific Phobia
WHAT IS…
Social Anxiety Disorder
A client presents for an intake session and reports feeling anxious and overwhelmed by work and family responsibilities. The counselor notices that the client is also expressing physical symptoms such as headaches and poor sleep. Which of the following should be the counselor's next step?
a. Recommend medication for anxiety
b. Conduct a thorough assessment of the client’s physical and mental health
c. Begin working on relaxation techniques to reduce anxiety
d. Refer the client to a psychiatrist immediately
WHAT IS...
Conduct a thorough assessment of the client’s physical and mental health
In preparing for an intake session with a new client, which of the following is the most important consideration for the counselor?
a. Determining the client’s diagnosis
b. Establishing a therapeutic rapport and trust
c. Completing a formal assessment immediately
d. Setting up a structured treatment plan
WHAT IS...
Establishing a therapeutic rapport and trust
Which of the following is NOT a component of a mental status examination (MSE)?
a. Appearance
b. Memory
c. Energy level
d. Family history
WHAT IS…
Family History
True or False:
If a client reports passive suicidal thoughts, the counselor can assume the client is not at risk for suicide.
WHAT IS…
False!
Always assess for intent and plan, even when a client reports passive SI. CSSRS is a quick suicide screening
A counselor is working with a client who is extremely concerned about their health despite no evidence of a medical condition. Which diagnosis would be most appropriate?
WHAT IS…
Somatic Symptom Disorder
A person who has been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder experiences frequent mood swings between periods of depression and periods of elevated mood, but the mood swings are not severe enough to meet the criteria for manic episodes. This would most likely indicate:
a. Bipolar I Disorder
b. Bipolar II Disorder
c. Cyclothymic Disorder
d. Major Depressive Disorder
WHAT IS…
Bipolar II Disorder
When conducting an intake assessment, which of the following is the counselor legally required to discuss with the client?
a. The counselor’s personal background and credentials
b. The counselor’s fees and payment arrangements
c. The limits of confidentiality and mandatory reporting laws
d. The counselor’s therapeutic approach and interventions
WHAT IS...
The limits of confidentiality and mandatory reporting laws
What is the primary purpose of the informed consent process during the intake phase?
a. To obtain consent for any necessary medications
b. To explain the counselor’s fees and payment policies
c. To ensure that the client understands the nature of counseling and their rights
d. To assess the client’s readiness for counseling
WHAT IS...
To ensure that the client understands the nature of counseling and their rights
The most appropriate assessment tool for evaluating personality disorders is…
a. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)
b. Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE)
c. Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI)
d. Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders (SCID)
WHAT IS…
Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders (SCID)
Which area of functioning does the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) primarily measure?
a. Emotional intelligence
b. Social intelligence
c. General intellectual ability
d. Psychosocial development
WHAT IS…
General intellectual ability
A key feature of Major Depressive Disorder according to the DSM-5...
a. At least one manic episode
b. A persistent feeling of sadness or loss of interest
c. Excessive energy
d. Chronic patterns of instability in interpersonal relationships
WHAT IS…
A persistent feeling of sadness or loss of interest
Difficulty distinguishing between fantasy and reality and has persistent feelings of detachment from their own body are most likely associated with:
a. Schizophrenia
b. Dissociative Identity Disorder
c. Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder
d. Borderline Personality Disorder
WHAT IS…
Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder
A counselor is conducting an intake interview with a new client who has a history of substance abuse. Which of the following factors is most important for the counselor to assess during the intake process?
a. The client’s readiness to change
b. The client’s family dynamics
c. The client’s employment history
d. The client’s involvement in community organizations
WHAT IS...
The client’s readiness to change
During the intake process, a counselor notices that a client is not disclosing important information and seems guarded. Which of the following strategies is most appropriate for the counselor to use?
a. Confront the client directly about withholding information
b. Create a more relaxed and non-judgmental environment for the client to feel more comfortable
c. Continue the interview without addressing the client’s hesitance
d. Encourage the client to disclose everything before proceeding
WHAT IS...
Create a more relaxed and non-judgmental environment for the client to feel more comfortable
A counselor using a projective personality test, such as the Rorschach Inkblot Test, is primarily assessing…
a. Observable behaviors
b. Conscious thoughts and feelings
c. Unconscious thoughts and feelings
d. The client's intellectual abilities
WHAT IS…
Unconscious thoughts and feelings
True or False:
Cultural competence in assessment ensures that the tool is culturally relevant and appropriate for the client.
WHAT IS…
True!
True or False:
According to the DSM-5, substance intoxication and withdrawal are separate diagnoses.
WHAT IS…
True!
When would a client be considered for a PTSD diagnosis after being diagnosed with Acute Stress Disorder?
WHAT IS…
When the duration of symptoms lasts longer than 1 month
A counselor is conducting an intake assessment for a child who is referred for counseling due to behavioral problems at school. What should the counselor focus on during the initial assessment?
a. Exploring the child’s family background and history of trauma
b. Diagnosing the child’s behavioral disorder
c. Identifying potential triggers for the child’s behaviors in school
d. Recommending a specific therapy model for treatment
WHAT IS...
Identifying potential triggers for the child’s behaviors in school
A client who has been struggling with relationship issues and work stress is seeking therapy. During the intake session, the counselor learns that the client is experiencing significant feelings of hopelessness and has difficulty managing their emotions. What should the counselor’s immediate focus be?
a. Identifying long-term treatment goals
b. Assessing the client’s safety and risk of self-harm
c. Exploring the client’s relationship history in detail
d. Discussing the possible use of medication for depression
WHAT IS...
Assessing the client’s safety and risk of self-harm