Clinical Assessment
David H. Barlow
V. Mark Durand
Chapter 3 p.69-85
Clinical Assessment
 “The process of clinical assessment in
psychopathology has been likened to a
funnel” p.70
 The clinical interview- the interview
gathers information on current and past
behavior, attitudes, and emotions, as
well as a detailed history of the
individual’s life in general and of the
presenting problem
 Mental Status Exam- involves the
systematic observation of an individual’s
behavior ( appearance, behavior, thoughts
process, mood, affect, intellectual
functioning and sensorium).
Collect
Data
The Clinical Interview
The Mental Status exam
Behavioral Assessment
Psychological Testing
Physical Examination
Neuropsychological
Testing
Psychophysiological
EKG/EEG
Neuroimaging
Diagnosis
What do you see?
Clinical Assessment
 Behavioral assessment-using direct
observation to assess formally an
individual’s thoughts, feelings, and
behavior in specific situations or
contexts (young, unable to articulate)
 I.e. ABCs, Self-monitoring
 Psychological testing- include specific
tools/tests to determine cognitive,
emotional, or behavioral responses
connected to intelligence, personality
and disorders
 Projective Testing (Rorschach test)
 Personality inventories
 Intelligence Testing
 Psychological disorders
What do these images
represent?
Clinical Assessment
 Physical Examination- Many patients with
problems first go to a family physician and are
given a physical (Crisis- Emergency)
 Neuropsychological Testing- this method of
testing assesses brain dysfunction by
observing the effects of the dysfunction on
the person’s ability to perform certain tasks.
 Psychophysiological Assessmentmeasurable changes in the nervous system
that reflect emotional or psychological events
i.e. electroencephalogram (EEG)
 Neuroimaging- includes procedures that
examine the structure of the brain (size,
damage) and functioning of the brain
(mapping blood flow and other metabolic
activity) i.e. computerized axial tomography
(CAT) scan or CT scan, magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI).
What can you do to reduce stigma?
a mark of disgrace or infamy; a stain or reproach, as on one's reputation.
1590s, "mark made on skin by burning with a hot iron," from Latin stigma