What comprises an evaluation?

The components of an evaluation varies based on the question that is being addressed. However, almost all evaluations have a structured interview to provide context to the individual’s personality.

For example:

• Clinical Interview
• Rorschach ^®
• Personality Assessment Inventory ^®
• Parent-Child Relationship Inventory ^®
• Wechsler Intelligence Scale ^®
• Dementia Rating Scale ^®
• Substance Abuse Subtle Inventory ^®
• Maryland Addiction Questionnaire ^®
• State Trait Anger Expression Inventory ^®

A psychological test typically consists of multiple components. The test begins with a clinical interview in which Dr. Kitchen seeks to determine a person’s life history and any suggestion of depression, anxiety, distorted thinking, substance abuse, or other factors that may impact upon an individual’s current functioning. Psychological testing is then added to the evaluation in order to provide information regarding a person’s underlying psychological functioning. Individuals are often unaware of psychological issues and how they impact upon their lives. Psychological testing seeks to draw out these issues.

Adjunct tests are also used to answer specific issues such as parenting skills, substance abuse, intellectual capacity, or independent living skills. All of these data points are combined to provide an overall perspective of an individual’s current functioning.