How to Coach Yourself and Others Empowering Coaching And Crisis Interventions | Page 187

This book is in B&W, not color - Print page in Grayscale for Correct view!
Annex 2 : Assessment tools
Choosing an Instrument
Some instruments are clearly for screening, and others are clearly for assessment. Still others are sometimes
used for either purpose. Before choosing an instrument, read its stated purpose, statistical properties (norming
and standardization populations, reliability, validity) and know your population of focus and purpose
(eligibility determination, screening or assessment). Individualize your choices based upon your population,
purposes, and circumstances.
On the TA Partnership’s Mental Health Web page, there is a list of Mental Health and Substance Abuse
Screening Instruments . The page lists screening instruments, the developer/publisher, purpose, age of the
covered population, and where to obtain further information.
Mental Health Screening and Women
 Women need to be routinely screened for depressive, eating, and anxiety disorders including PTSD.


Women tend to report higher levels of anxiety and somatic symptoms associated with depression.



Explicit details, especially related to traumatic subject matter that may make a woman uncomfortable,
are not necessary early in the process.



For some women, drugs have had a secondary effect and purpose, i.e., weight management. Be aware
that weight gain during recovery can be a concern and a relapse risk factor for women and that clinical
and medical issues surrounding body image, weight management, nutrition, and healthy lifestyle habits
are essential ingredients in treatment for women.



Bulimia nervosa is the most common eating disorder among women in substance abuse treatment, and
counselors should become knowledgeable about the specific behavioral patterns associated with this
disorder, e.g., compensatory and excessive exercise for overeating, routine pattern of leaving after
meals, persistent smell of vomit on the woman’s breath or in a particular bathroom, taking extra food
(from dining room), or hoarding food, etc.



Be aware that women with bulimia nervosa are usually of normal weight.

The following section reviews core assessment processes tailored for women, including gender-specific content
for biopsychosocial histories and assessment tools that are either appropriate or possess normative data for
women in evaluating substance use disorders and consequences. It is beyond the scope of this chapter to provide
specific assessment guidelines or tools for other disorders outside of substance-related disorders.
General Guidelines for Selecting and Using Screening and Assessment Tools


What are the goals of the screening and assessment?



Is the screening and assessment process appropriate for the particular setting?



What costs are associated with the screening process; e.g., training, buying the screening/assessment
instruments or equipment (computer), wages associated with giving and scoring the instrument, and
time spent providing feedback to the client and establishing appropriate referrals?



What other staff resources are needed to administer and score the instrument, interpret the results,
review the findings with the client, arrange referrals, or establish appropriate services to address
concerns highlighted in the screening and assessment process?



While screening measures can be completed in just a few minutes, positive screenings involve more
work. Does staff see a need for and value of the additional work? Did you prepare and train staff? What

For [e-mail]
Property of Bookemon, do NOT distribute

187