COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT

We have developed a complete and comprehensive model for the assessment of a patient's psychiatric, psychological, neuropsychological, or neurological needs, involving specialized consultants as required. These assessments are conducted according to the collaborative treatment model described in Steve Frankel's four books and professional articles.

Patient, therapist, and psychologist-assessor interactively develop an understanding of the patient's psychological and psychiatric requirements. Other key concerns, such as those involving learning, may be addressed by outside consultants who are expert in that particular area. These evaluations, as conceived, range from brief and highly focused, to extended and comprehensive. As an integral part of this process, a psychologist meets with the therapist and patient, and using the principles of therapeutic assessment administers a selected battery of neuropsychological and psychological tests to provide a relatively objective appraisal of the patient's needs.

According to this system, a comprehensive evaluation ideally concludes with a series of meetings incorporating a trial clinical intervention. For example, if family therapy is one of the recommendations, one or more family sessions and, if indicated, home visits can be scheduled. Following the trial intervention period, the treatment plan is reconsidered and finalized. Feedback sessions are conducted, and a written report from the psychologist-assessor and therapist is provided, if requested.

For a detailed description of this evaluation protocol, please click here.

FOCUSED, TIME-LIMITED or OPEN-ENDED PSYCHOTHERAPY

Focused, time-limited psychotherapy may be initiated after the conclusion of the comprehensive assessment described above. Frequently, this kind of psychotherapy continues the work started during that evaluation. Generally, a 9 to 24 month period should be allocated for this effort, joined with other interventions such as work with parents, family, as well as other consultants such as pharmacologists or educators. According to this protocol, as often as every 6 months the psychologist-assessor rejoins the therapy pair to assess treatment progress. Also, a psychological reevaluation ideally occurs several weeks or months before the planned end of treatment to confirm whether termination of the treatment is indeed indicated.

At this point, the therapist and pyschologist-assessor give a summary of their impressions to the patient, and, if asked to do so, put these opinions into a written report. The same reassessment procedure is recommended in our open-ended psychotherapy protocols.

The focused, time-limited psychotherapy described is conducted according to our collaborative treatment method, with the therapist continually accountable for progress in treatment. A recommendation for ongoing, open-ended psychotherapy will, at times, be the outcome of the assessment. When treatment is finished there should be regular follow-up visits to reassess whether the gains of treatment have held up.

MONITORING and FOLLOWUP: ASSESSING THE RESULTS OF TREATMENT

We recommend regular monitoring of treatment progress and, following treatment, the maintenance of followup contacts with all patients to reassess whether a therapeutic intervention has had lasting impact. The therapist and the psychologist-assessor involved in the initial assessment should ideally be available to determine whether gains of the psychotherapy continue.

REFERRAL SERVICE

We maintain a list of professionals to whom we feel comfortable referring. No charge is made for these referrals. These people have been carefully selected by us according to their skills and style. The professionals on our list understand and ascribe to the principles of collaborative psychology and psychiatry.

All of the professionals to whom we refer are independent practitioners, and do not represent or have any financial or legal connection to The Center for Collaborative Psychology and Psychiatry or practice under the auspices of the Center.