The psychological evaluationrepresents the investigation and evaluation of the way a person’s psyche works. This process includes:
- – cognitive and neuropsychological assessment (attention, memory, concentration, etc.);
- – behavioral assessment;
- – bio-physiological evaluation (reactions);
- – subjective-emotional evaluation (the specific way in which a person reacts according to certain stimuli, situations, etc.);
- – assessment of personality and adaptation/defense mechanisms;
- – evaluation of psychological aspects specific to the couple, family, or other groups;
- – evaluation of the family, professional, social, economic, cultural context in which psychological problems manifest;
- – evaluation of the degree of discernment of people;
- – assessment of intellectual and psychological development;
- – other evaluations in situations involving psychological components.
What is the purpose of psychological assessment?
The goal is to evaluate the way a person works, his characteristics, and psychological mechanisms (personality profile). If this evaluation indicates the existence of a pathology (specific symptoms are identified), the next step is to establish what pathology it is (clinical diagnosis). The purpose of the evaluation can also be to determine a person’s abilities to submit or do a certain activity, to be fit for a certain activity (driving a car, teaching, carrying a weapon, etc.)
From another perspective, the way the psychological assessment is organized and carried out is closely related to its purpose (methods, tools and sometimes specific equipment will be used).
How is the psychological assessment carried out?
This consists of a discussion that takes place in conditions of silence and confidentiality – the presence of other people than the examinee (person/patient) and the examiner (psychologist) is accepted only if the examinee cannot (the medical condition/condition does not allow) answer the questions what they put on him. The discussion seeks to find out the biographical data of the person, identify some situations or events (accidents, traumas, abuses) that could have produced effects over time, identify some symptoms, etc. Sometimes it is necessary to use some tests for the correct assessment of the situation/condition or its intensity.
What is clinical psychological assessment?
The clinical psychologist, who usually works in a hospital or specialized clinic, is the one who performs this type of examination. It is closely related to the suspicion of the disease, that is, there are solid indications that there is a disorder. The evaluation seeks to clearly establish the type of disorder (adiagnosisis made ), its intensity/severity, etc. In general, this type of clinical evaluation is used by specialists in the medical field (family doctors, psychiatrists, neurologists, etc.).
After establishing the diagnosis, the psychologist can indicate the options for approaching the situation in question: consulting another specialist (psychiatrist, neurologist, cardiologist, etc.), instituting (starting) a drug treatment or hospitalization (recommendations that he sends to the specialists who in turn they will prescribe them and develop the treatment schemes according to the function), psychotherapy, etc. The clinical psychologist cannot prescribe drugs, he only makes the recommendation to the patient and the specialist doctor, if he considers that the person’s condition requires such an approach.
The conclusions of the psychological evaluation can be found in apsychological evaluation report– which is usually also the official document used in relation to other institutions or persons.
Complex psychological assessments
They are evaluations that require attention and a high degree of complexity. They are found in relation to persons or positions of great responsibility, that require special capabilities or performance, or that will work in a special environment: special forces, special services, magistrates, etc.
There are situations in which a psychological evaluation of the children is necessary, an evaluation that is carried out by specialized people. The psychological assessment of children requires special knowledge and inclinations; specific tests, techniques, and tools are needed. The psychological assessment of children is done to assess the degree of mental development; for example, for admission to kindergarten, school, etc. The clinical psychological evaluation of children is done when there is a suspicion of a mental disorder.
