PSY 4540-INTRO INTO PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING

The absence of assessment tools in counseling increases a counselor's risk for liability. Without accountability or measurement, a counselor would lack direction, focus, and structure and become vulnerable to implementing inappropriate interventions. Therefore, assessment is a vehicle used to provide quality services and safeguard the parties involved from deviating from the client's problems.

Imagine you are a counselor conducting an intake interview with a client. What types of assessment questions would you include for the psychosocial history of the client? Why?

Imagine the client brings results of previous psychological testing with them. How will you determine if the test results are meaningful, useful, and an accurate assessment of the client?

Now, imagine you and your classmates are part of a treatment team. Consider the case study provided and answer the following questions:

• Considering the American Counseling Association's (ACA's) code of ethics, what are some goals you might plan for the treatment of the client?
• What are the various ways in which you can measure your treatment goals?