Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
DocuSign Envelope ID:AA423ADA-1537-48C8-B878-6300C79ABB63 <br /> Psychological and Parental Competency Evaluations <br /> Psychological evaluations are performed to assess a client's current mental status, <br /> personality functioning, and to clarify diagnoses so that appropriate treatment and service <br /> recommendations can be made.When psychological evaluations are being Court ordered for <br /> parents who have come to the attention of the Court system due to allegations of abuse and <br /> neglect,the referring party generally requests information about a parent's ability to care for their <br /> child or children now and in the future and for recommendations regarding the services <br /> necessary to help the parent be able to do so. <br /> Psychologists commonly ask for as much information as is relevant to review to address <br /> the medical/mental health/substance abuse/legal issues that impact a client through completion of <br /> a referral form and copies of Court documents, social services'records regarding the individual <br /> parent and their children,previous psychological evaluations,mental health assessments, <br /> treatment summaries,hospital discharge summaries, social service case notes, criminal records, <br /> substance abuse evaluations, drug screens, and so forth. Following a review of these records and <br /> in consultation with the referring social worker,the psychologist schedules an appointment with <br /> the client. <br /> When I meet with a client,I ask him or her to sign a 3-page Informed Consent for <br /> Psychological Evaluation Form, and now, an Addendum related to Covid-19. Then I administer <br /> the particular psychological tests that will be most helpful in answering referral questions and <br /> understanding the particular individual I am evaluating. For example, I will administer tests <br /> regarding a client's intellectual functioning(e.g.,Reynolds Intellectual Assessment Scale)if <br /> there are concerns that the person cannot comprehend well and appears to be intellectually <br /> limited or disabled. I administered reading screening forms for clients who have learning <br /> problems and might not be able to accurately read the tests that I would administer so I can <br /> assure their literacy. I administer personality and other diagnostic tests(e.g., MMPI-2; MCMI-IV, <br /> Rorschach Inkblot Test,Rotter Incomplete Sentences Blank,Burns Depression Checklist,ADHD <br /> checklists,Burns Anxiety Inventory,Domestic Violence Checklist, PTSD questionnaires)to <br /> clarify diagnoses and issues relevant to understanding the client. I then must spend time scoring <br /> most of these tests to obtain valuable information derived from research and experience. If there <br /> are substance abuse issues,I administer substance abuse questionnaires regarding alcohol and <br /> drug abuse. <br /> The psychological evaluation is performed to assess a parent's capacity to parent and/or <br /> parenting issues and needs also includes tests such as the Parenting Stress Index-4, a Parenting <br /> Role Questionnaire, and specific questions regarding each of their children and the concerns and <br /> issues which brought them to the attention of social services. <br /> The psychological evaluation also includes a comprehensive interview during which the <br /> parent's family history, education, work,medical, legal, substance abuse,relationships (i.e., <br />