The Appointment is Made - Now What?
Your Primary Care Physician can make your appointment with one of our providers, but you can also call in to speak with our professionals and they will help you get your appointment scheduled.
The Interview:
We complete Comprehensive Assessments for Therapy referrals, and Psychiatric Evaluations for Medication Reviews. During the interview, your appearance (posture, mood, body movements and dress) will be assessed. You will……(copacetic)
Physical Exam
You will be asked questions about your past medical history and the medications you currently take.
Tests - You may be asked to fill out a questionnaire. Specific disorders such as depression may use the Hamilton Rating Scale, The Beck Depression Inventory, or the Geriatric Depression Scale. Your general levels of functioning may be assessed by the Mini Mental Status Examination. Most questionnaires take only 20 to 30 minutes to complete, and can be answered quickly, often in a "yes" or "no" format.
How Long Does it Take? - The time it takes for a mental health assessment varies, depending on the reason for the assessment. An interview with written or verbal tests may last 30 to 60 minutes or longer depending on the number of tests and resources used.
Remember to relax, be as detailed as possible (keep a journal for several weeks), share your concerns with your health care professional.