Components of Psychological Assessment

Key Components of a Psychological Assessment:

1. Clinical Interview A one-on-one conversation to gather background, medical, social, and psychological history.

2. Standardized Tests

   • Cognitive tests (e.g., IQ tests like the WAIS)

   • Personality tests (e.g., MMPI-2, Big Five Inventory)

   • Neuropsychological tests (for brain injury, memory, attention)

   • Achievement tests (in academic settings)

3. Behavioral Observations How the person behaves during the assessment—useful for evaluating non-verbal cues and social skills.

4. Self-Report Questionnaires Inventories where individuals report on their own symptoms or behaviors (e.g., Beck Depression Inventory).

5. Collateral Information Input from family members, teachers, or previous medical records.

6. Integration and Report All information is combined into a formal report with conclusions and recommendations.

Types of Adult Psychological Assessments

1. Mental Health Assessment

   • Purpose: Diagnose issues like depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, etc.

   • Tools: Clinical interview, MMPI-2, Beck Depression/Anxiety Inventories, DSM-5 criteria.

2. Personality Assessment

   • Purpose: Explore long-standing personality traits or potential disorders (e.g., borderline, narcissistic).

   • Tools: MMPI-2, Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI), projective tests (e.g., Rorschach).

3. Neuropsychological Testing

   • Purpose: Assess cognitive functioning—memory, attention, executive function, brain injury, dementia.

   • Tools: WAIS-IV (IQ test), Trail Making Test, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, etc.

4. Psychoeducational Testing

   • Purpose: Identify learning disabilities or ADHD in adults (often needed for school or work accommodations).

   • Tools: WAIS-IV, achievement tests, attention/executive function tests, ADHD rating scales.

5. Forensic/Legal Evaluation

   • Purpose: Court-ordered evaluations for competency, criminal responsibility, custody, or risk assessment.

   • Tools: Structured forensic interviews, risk tools (e.g., HCR-20), cognitive and personality testing.

🔹 What to Expect in a General Adult Psychological Assessment:

• Session Length: 1–4 hours, sometimes over multiple days depending on complexity.

• Format: Starts with a detailed interview, followed by paper/computer tests and sometimes tasks like puzzles or problem-solving.

• Outcome: A written report with diagnoses (if applicable), insights, and recommendations for therapy, medication, or accommodations.