Diagnostic and Therapeutic Assessment

Two Distinct Approaches to Psychological Evaluation

At Cedar & Oak Psychology, we offer two specialized assessment services for clients referred by other mental health professionals: Diagnostic Assessment and Therapeutic Assessment. Each service has distinct goals and approaches to meet different clinical needs.

Comparing Our Assessment Services

Diagnostic Assessment

Diagnostic Assessment follows the traditional information-gathering model of psychological testing. The primary goal is to collect accurate data to clarify diagnoses, answer specific referral questions, and develop treatment plans. This approach focuses on describing clients according to established categories and dimensions, facilitating communication between professionals, and making informed decisions about treatment.

Therapeutic Assessment

Therapeutic Assessment is a semi-structured, collaborative approach developed by Dr. Stephen Finn. Beyond gathering diagnostic information, it's designed to be therapeutic in itself – helping clients gain new insights, reduce symptoms, increase self-esteem, and motivate them for further treatment.

Key Differences Between Our Assessment Services

Diagnostic Assessment

  • Focus on accurate diagnosis and clinical recommendations

  • Shorter timeline (typically 2-3 sessions)

  • Standardized administration with limited client participation in interpretation

  • Formal written report as primary deliverable

  • Emphasis on expert opinions and recommendations

  • Most appropriate for straightforward diagnostic questions

  • Typically lower cost

Therapeutic Assessment

  • Focus on both diagnosis and creating therapeutic change

  • Longer timeline (typically 4-6 sessions)

  • Collaborative process with client as active participant

  • Includes therapeutic feedback sessions and personalized client letter

  • Emphasis on client discoveries and self-understanding

  • Ideal for complex cases or when therapeutic benefit is a primary goal

  • More intensive investment of time and resourcesnt discoveries and self-understanding

Benefits for Your Clients

Diagnostic Assessment Benefits

  • Clear Diagnostic Picture: Precise identification of psychological conditions

  • Evidence-Based Treatment Planning: Targeted recommendations based on assessment findings

  • Medication Guidance: Information to assist with medication decisions

  • Educational/Workplace Accommodations: Documentation for support services

  • Efficient Process: Streamlined approach for straightforward diagnostic questions

  • Cost-Effective: Lower overall cost for cases requiring primarily diagnostic clarity

Therapeutic Assessment Benefits

Research has consistently shown that Therapeutic Assessment delivers additional meaningful benefits:

  • Reduced Symptoms: Significant reductions in psychological distress

  • Increased Self-Esteem: Clients report feeling better about themselves

  • Greater Hope: Clients develop more optimistic views of their challenges

  • Enhanced Motivation: Increased readiness for therapy and treatment

  • Better Self-Understanding: Clients gain new insights into their patterns and challenges

  • Stronger Therapeutic Alliance: Prepares clients for a positive therapy experience

Diagnostic Assessment Process

  1. Initial Consultation: Brief review of referral questions and Client history

  2. Test Administration: Standardized psychological tests selected to address specific referral questions

  3. Clinical Interview: Structured interview to gather additional diagnostic information

  4. Analysis and Interpretation: Expert analysis of test results and clinical data

  5. Written Report: Comprehensive report with diagnosis, clinical impressions, and treatment recommendations

  6. Feedback Session: Brief feedback session to explain findings and recommendations

Therapeutic Assessment Process

  1. Initial Consultation: Meeting with referring clinician to understand clinical history and assessment goals

  2. Initial Consultation: Extended meeting with the client to understand their questions and concerns

  3. Collaborative Goal-Setting: Together with the client, we finalize specific questions the assessment will address

  4. Standardized Testing: Administration of appropriate psychological tests

  5. Extended Inquiry: Collaborative exploration of responses, engaging the Client in understanding their test results

  6. Assessment Intervention: Designed experiences to help clients discover insights about themselves

  7. Summary/Discussion Session: Interactive discussion of findings in an accessible, supportive manner

  8. Written Feedback: Clients receive both a clinical report and a personalized letter summarizing insights

  9. Follow-Up Session: Check-in to see how insights are being integrated and answer questions

When to Refer for Each Service

Consider Diagnostic Assessment When:

  • You need clear diagnostic clarification, especially complex cases with multiple and/or conflicting historical diagnoses

  • Treatment planning considerations include monotherapy vs. combination approaches

  • Documentation is needed for accommodations or services

  • A brief, focused assessment is sufficient

  • Time or cost constraints are significant factors

  • The Client primarily needs expert opinions rather than self-discovery

Consider Therapeutic Assessment When:

  • The Client has not responded adequately to previous treatments

  • The case involves complex or unclear diagnostic presentations

  • The Client feels stuck or unsure about their treatment direction

  • The Client is hesitant about entering therapy

  • Increasing self-awareness and motivation are key goals

  • Relationship or engagement issues have hindered previous treatments

  • The Client could benefit from a deeper understanding of their patterns

What You'll Receive

For Diagnostic Assessment Referrals:

  • A comprehensive clinical report with:

  • Diagnostic impressions based on DSM-5 criteria

  • Test results and interpretation

  • Specific treatment recommendations, including suggestions for outcome measures

  • Documentation for accommodations (if needed)

For Therapeutic Assessment Referrals:

  • A comprehensive clinical report as above, plus:

  • Insights into therapeutic approach and relationship factors

  • Analysis of patterns that may affect treatment engagement

  • Detailed explanation of the Client's subjective experience

  • Information about what therapeutic interventions resonated

  • A separate personalized letter for the Client

  • Feedback on potential challenges and how to address them

  • Consultation on how to incorporate insights into ongoing treatment

Getting Started

To refer a Client for either Diagnostic or Therapeutic Assessment, or to discuss which approach might best meet your Client's needs, please contact us using the form below.

Theoretical Foundations

Our Diagnostic Assessment services are grounded in evidence-based psychometric principles and current diagnostic frameworks.

Our Therapeutic Assessment approach is informed by the groundbreaking work of Stephen Finn and Mary Tonsager (1997), who demonstrated that psychological assessment can function both as an information-gathering tool AND as a brief therapeutic intervention that produces meaningful client change.

Licensed Providers

Hannah K. Howell, PhD, JD, MSCP
[CA PSY17487 / WA PY 61076404]

[PSYPact/APIT 20176]

Alison Bateman, PhD, C-DBT
[CA PSY19916]

Paula Wilbourne, PhD

[HI PSY-1029]

Cedar and Oak Psychology

We provide personalized therapy, advanced professional training, and expert consultation, leveraging decades of clinical expertise and research to address complex mental health challenges.

Licensed Provider

Hannah K. Howell, PhD, JD, MSCP [CA PSY17487 / WA PY 61076404] [PSYPact/APIT 20176]

Alison Bateman, PhD [CA PSY19916]

Paula Wilbourne, PhD [HI PSY-1029]

Get In Touch

FAX: (425) 285-8658

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