Behavioral Health Screening and Assessment

Abstract

Behavioral health screening and assessment is an ongoing process of gathering and synthesizing important information across a range of domains including mental health, substance use, interpersonal relationships, and social determinants of health (SDOH) in order to inform treatment planning. This chapter will provide an overview screening and assessment practices vital to integrated behavioral health practice. The assessment process described in this chapter will be rooted in the ecological systems perspective discussed in Chap. 10.1007/978-3-030-59659-0_2 and will be person centered, strength based, holistic, and recovery oriented. The purpose of assessment is to inform the development of a robust clinical formulation and treatment plan (described in Chap. 10.1007/978-3-030-59659-0_5) designed to address the intersectional issues that clients face from a bio-psycho-social perspective. This chapter will focus on assessment and documentation areas that include: (1) screening for common behavioral health issues such as depression, anxiety, stress, trauma, suicide, and substance use; (2) assessing personal strengths and capacities that lead to health; (3) past and current problems in the functional domains of health, mental health, substance use, interpersonal relationships, employment, and daily living; and (4) assessing social determinants of health. The chapter will conclude with an illustrative case study highlighting important areas and considerations of the assessment process.