Effective psychological evaluation and management of behavioral health concerns

Abstract

This chapter discusses the common components in the current Behavioral Health evaluation process. These basic components should be the same regardless of the type of BH professional completing the examination process and whether the BH professional is in the treating or forensic role. However, there are additional factors that must also be explored by the BH evaluator in order to complete a comprehensive evaluation that assesses the psychosocial aspects that may greatly impede the treatment, stay-at-work, and return-to-work processes. Unfortunately, these aspects are not regularly addressed by all BH evaluators and so, may serve as yellow flags regarding the depth of the completed process. The primary rationale for completing these additional components is that they serve to answer the question regarding the individual's current level of functioning. By examining the person from a biopsychosocial stance, answers regarding the person's ability to function in a variety of settings including work can be addressed. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media,LLC.