LCDC DOMAIN 1: ASSESSMENT STUDY GUIDE
assessment, definition - Answer -an ongoing process; counselor collaborates with the
client and others to gather and interpret information neccesary for making an informed
diagnostic impression, planning treatment, and evaluating client progress
assessment, purpose - Answer -after eligibility is determined through screening, more
information is needed to create a treatment plan
assessment, rapport - Answer -build rapport during assessment so client feels safe
sharing information; clients are more likely to cooperate when they know the purpose of
the assessment
selecting an assessment instrument - Answer -based on age, gender, racial and ethnic
background, and disabilities; assessment should be culturally relevant - clients may
express distress in different ways
information collected on assessment - Answer -History of alcohol and drug use,
physical and mental health, addiction treatment history, family & work issues, history of
criminality, education and basic life skills, socioeconomic situation, current legal status,
level of readiness for treatment, level of cognitive & behavioral functioning, and
strengths & weaknesses
explaining results to clients - Answer -use nontechnical language and people-first
language; for assessment instruments: "what this score suggests is that you may have
alcohol dependence"
people-first language - Answer -e.g. do not use the term alcoholic, instead say "a
person with an alcohol disorder"
accurate interpretation of results - Answer -leads to treatment recommendations,
modification of treatment plans, identifying what is working, involving client in treatment
process; when potential mental health problem identified, refer for additional
assessment or to another provider when outside the scope of practice
immediate medical evaluation when...(assessments) - Answer -clients present with
hallucinations, severe tremors, tachycardia, confusion or delirium, or uncontrollable
agitation, or who have ingested unknown substances or quantities of substances
potential mental or physical health problem, assessment - Answer -when an
assessment identifies a potential mental or physical health problem, an appropriate
referral for additional assessment should be made
assessment, definition - Answer -an ongoing process; counselor collaborates with the
client and others to gather and interpret information neccesary for making an informed
diagnostic impression, planning treatment, and evaluating client progress
assessment, purpose - Answer -after eligibility is determined through screening, more
information is needed to create a treatment plan
assessment, rapport - Answer -build rapport during assessment so client feels safe
sharing information; clients are more likely to cooperate when they know the purpose of
the assessment
selecting an assessment instrument - Answer -based on age, gender, racial and ethnic
background, and disabilities; assessment should be culturally relevant - clients may
express distress in different ways
information collected on assessment - Answer -History of alcohol and drug use,
physical and mental health, addiction treatment history, family & work issues, history of
criminality, education and basic life skills, socioeconomic situation, current legal status,
level of readiness for treatment, level of cognitive & behavioral functioning, and
strengths & weaknesses
explaining results to clients - Answer -use nontechnical language and people-first
language; for assessment instruments: "what this score suggests is that you may have
alcohol dependence"
people-first language - Answer -e.g. do not use the term alcoholic, instead say "a
person with an alcohol disorder"
accurate interpretation of results - Answer -leads to treatment recommendations,
modification of treatment plans, identifying what is working, involving client in treatment
process; when potential mental health problem identified, refer for additional
assessment or to another provider when outside the scope of practice
immediate medical evaluation when...(assessments) - Answer -clients present with
hallucinations, severe tremors, tachycardia, confusion or delirium, or uncontrollable
agitation, or who have ingested unknown substances or quantities of substances
potential mental or physical health problem, assessment - Answer -when an
assessment identifies a potential mental or physical health problem, an appropriate
referral for additional assessment should be made
