1. Share your point of view about the best practice for conducting psychological assessment
Psychological assessment is an invaluable tool for clinicians. There are various types of psychological assessments, including implicit, explicit, projective, and objective. Also, assessments are used for a variety of reasons, such as to assess intelligence, personality, achievement, neuropsychological functioning, etc. Each difference in the type and purpose of the assessments changes the best practice for conducting the assessments. With that being said, there are several universal best practices for conducting psychological assessment that should be adhered no matter the assessment used. Purpose of use of an assessment is one universal best practice.
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The interpretations derived from the scores of assessments can have an impact on the client, or can be used to determine a diagnosis or best course of treatment. If test scores or the interpretations of the scores are incorrect, then the client can be given false information about themselves, can be misdiagnosed, or provided ineffective treatment for their disorder. The best practice for scoring and interpreting assessments is to be competent to do …show more content…
In terms of an assessment that can determine relevant and useful information about a client, the MMPI-2 is broadly used across clients of various diagnoses, including even medial patients. The assessment’s clinical scales can provide vital information about clients who are suffering form psychological distress of any kind. The validity scales are also an extremely useful tool for determining the client’s attitude while taking the assessment. Amongst other things, the validity scales can indicate if a client is over or under reporting distress, which can be difficult to determine from clinical interviewing. As for interpreting the MMPI-2, this can be difficult for someone who is untrained. With that being said, useful interpretations can be derived from the scores with practice. A limitation of the MMPI-2 is that it is a lengthy test of 567 self-report questions. For some clients who have difficulty reading or sustaining attention, completing the MMPI-2 can be difficult. With that being said, the clinician is allowed to read aloud the questions to the client if there is difficulty reading or remaining attentive. When reporting the interpretations of the scores to the client, the MMPI-2s comprehensive approach allows in-depth explanations, as opposed to stigmatizing or frightening statements based on an elevated score. All things considered, the
There are a variety of ways counselors can use assessment in counseling. According to Whiston counselors use (2017) assessments as a tool used to measure people behavior. Assessments can be informal and formal (Laureate, 2013). One significant part of assessments is to evaluate progress between the client and counselor.
Since it was designed as a self-report tool that assesses a broad scope of clinical conditions, its reliability and validity can be considered as strong. In its 478 items, the MMPI-A covers the 10 original scales of MPPI, six validity scales, PSY-5 scales, and 15 content component scales. Then there are also three social introversion sub-scales, the 31 Harris Lingoes sub-scales and six supplementary scales. More importantly, studies of the MMPI-A have shown high test and retest consistency through which reliability and validity can be guaranteed (Gass & Odland, 2012). With the exception of the MF scale that is part of the four factor model, the remaining three which are General Maladjustment, Social Introversion and Over-Control, relevantly address the behavioral problems exhibited by Jane. Hence, it is imperative that the racial disparity of the MF scale be considered from a cultural perspective because studies have shown that there is a tendency of non-Whites scoring higher than other races (Gass & Odland, 2014). Ideally, the variations in cultural values must be considered when applying the test on Whites and non-Whites since the differences reflect socio-economic factors rather than racial
The purpose of this paper is to examine various instruments utilized to provide counselors with the most accurate assessment in family, couple and individual counseling. Nonetheless, this paper will also explore the interventions that are most appropriate for this case study. As it will further bring a better sense of awareness to the techniques used in family assessments.
Sellbom, M., Bagby, R. M., Kushner, S., Quilty, L. C., & Ayearst, L. E. (2012). Diagnostic construct validity of MMPI-2 restructured form (MMPI-2-RF) scale scores. Assessment,19(2), 176-186. doi:10.1177/1073191111428763
The composite score is objective and calculated through a weighted formula designed to provide an equal contribution from each item while the severity rating is subjective and indicates the need for additional treatment in specific areas (Haraguchi et al., 2009). The SR ranges from 0 to 9 points and the CS ranges from 0 to 1 with anything higher than the normal 9 SR or 1 CS indicating greater problem severities (Haraguchi et al., 2009). Although some problems still exist, the ASI has been reported to have nearly achieved both reliability and validity (Haraguchi et al.,
Hood, A.B., & Johnson, R.W. (2007). Assessment in Counseling: A guide to the use of psychological assessment procedures (4th ed.). Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.
This assessment was designed to interpret the mind of an adolescent utilizing and integrating his theory into the assessment. Based on the different general outlines of personality, the levels of personality, and the domains of personality, the assessment was designed to predict of help develop a hypothesis of what is troubling an adolescent mentally. There are four different assessments within the MACI broken by age and by gender. There is one assessment for males 13-15, one for females 13-15, one for males 16-19, and one for females 16-19. “The MACI has 31 scales divided into three clinical domains (clinical sydromes, expressed concerns, and personality styles) and a fourth domain consisting of three modifying indices (desirability, disclosure, and debasement) plus a basic validity check.” (Pinto & Grilo, p. 1508, 2004) The MACI was intended to work with the DSM-IV diagnoses for predicting likelihood of a clinical symptom in an adolescent. In the Mental Measurements Yearbook, Sandoval points out there are 31 scales in the MACI and the self- report system allows the personality and predisposition of the adolescent to be rated by the expert on themselves. It is intended to measure common adolescent issues, such as: mood disorders, major depressive disorder, dysthymia, alcohol and substance use, ADHD, etc. The participants in the assessment take a 160 question, true or false format assessment, which
Interpreting The MMPI-2-RF included a vast amount of information about the reliability data in the MMPI-2-RF. For example, the scores on the Somatic/Cognitive Scales, Internalizing Specific Problems Scales, Externalizing Specific Problems Scales, and Interpersonal Scales amongst others were reliable based on test-retest correlations and internal consistency estimates in clinical studies. The empirical data offered by the Technical Manual shows strong and distinctive correlational findings, and consistent measures of the constructs the scales target. These findings provide strong evidence supporting the construct validity and reliability of the 51 Scales found in the MMPI-2...
Utility of assessment. Why are these types of personality assessments useful? Did you find the results useful? Why or why not?
McCann, J. T. (1991). Convergent and discriminant validity of the MCMI-II and MMPI personality disorder scales. Psychological Assessment: A Journal Of Consulting And Clinical Psychology, 3(1), 9-18. doi:10.1037/1040-3590.3.1.9
Moreover, an assessment is a more in-depth line of questioning of the client that goes in to the client’s background such as childhood experiences, social life and psychological health; the assessment can also go into a series of testing. Additionally, the assessment is also used to determine a diagnosis of the client (Substance Abuse Counselor, n.d.). Many times clients with substance abuse problems do have psychological issues.
In practice, there are other assessment tools such as….which I could have used but the CPA is a recommended National Standard Framework for Mental Health, introduced in 1991, to supply a framework for effective mental health care (DOH 1999; DOH 2008) and to safeguard all service users (SU) by appropriate assessment and review (Gamble, 2005). But it is time consuming, in practice and paperwork. Service users’ participation has been repeatedly disappointing; studies constantly report little awareness of the CPA policy (CPAA, 2006; McDermott, 1998).
Assessment is used as a basis of identifying problems, planning interventions, evaluating and diagnosing clients. Assessment involves identifying statements; actions and procedures to help individuals, groups, couples and families make progress in the counseling environment. Although counselors have the opportunity to limit their scope of practice with respect to modalities, theories, and types of clients, a counselor cannot function without an understanding of the processes and procedures of assessment in counseling. Formal and informal help counselors more accurately assess client issues, create case conceptualizations and select effective empirically proven therapies. The focus of assessments is on gathering information. Thus testing is a way in which counselors construct a measure of psychology through instruments or specified procedures to obtain valid and reliable methods in assessing a client. Counselor uses established scientific procedures, relevant standards and current professional knowledge
Assessment is a core component in research. Clinical Psychologists use various types of assessments ...
However, as I have grown professionally, I have become more eclectic in my assessments. I now incorporate a student-performance, along with test of the material presented, and a humanistic approach on how my students are impacted by the grades they receive. For instance, my Asperger student, Lukas, needs his assessments to contain fact-recall questions, and essay questions need to have step-by-step answers. He does not perform well if questions regarding interpretations of emotions or non-factual data of information are part of the assessment.