Psychological Testing and Assessment There is a distinct relationship between psychological testing and assessment in conjunction with the DSM-IV. First, testing provides a systematic means of assessments that provide insight into the potential mental complications of a patient. Further, psychological testing provides a means of flexible evaluation which can better conform to the changing needs of the public. By providing flexibility in its approach to assessment, psychological testing can better adapt to changing and varying conditions within the mental health profession. Much like the internet, new health issues arise yearly with profound implications for the general public. Psychological testing and assessment attempts to abate or diminish the influence of these changing dynamics on the health profession and the community at large.

What is case history data?

The American Heritage Medical Dictionary defines case history data as, "A detailed account of the facts affecting the development or condition of a person or group under treatment or study, especially in medicine, psychiatry, or psychology (1)." Case history, is very important in the overall preparation process as it provides insight into the individuals past experiences. These experiences, especially in regards to mental health aspects, can have a profound impact on the diagnosis of the individual. For example, in many cases of mental health complications, the individual suffering experienced traumatizing events in the past. These events include, rape, sexual abuse, domestic violence, war,...

The prevalence of these experiences and the complications that arise from these experiences, provides insight for the examiner to use in the overall diagnosis process.
What is a clinical interview?

A committee chair by pioneer Allen Frances created and published what is now known as DSM-IV. In it, Frances and his team of 27 helped identify nearly 300 disorders in a 900-page manual. The categorization of these disorders allowed for the identification of specific symptoms and their associated complications. A clinical interview is a method in which these disorders can be identified. These interviews can vary in their overall structure somewhat as the person administering the interview has certain inherent biases imbedded in the overall interview process. However, in many instances the clinical interview consists of a numerous components used to assess the victims potential medical condition. For instance, the introduction phase of the clinical interview has a profound impact on the overall success of the interview. During this phase, the interviewer usually attempts to establish rapport in a comfortable environment for the client. Some interviewers follow a certain standard procedure to avoid biases in determining a potential diagnosis. However, a balance between standardization and flexiblility is required for optimal results. This is phase is subsequently followed by opening phase. This phrase usually consists of various observations and activities. These activities as mentioned earlier vary depending on the individual…