When it comes to your first meeting with your client, you’re going to need to get a sense of what they’re here for, and where they are. One of the ways to do this is through assessment.

The key points on assessment in this section include:

• For assessment, you can use forms such as CORE-10 and PHQ-9.
• These questionnaires aren’t just for showing that a client has progressed, but when used correctly, they can help you to identity exactly what your clients issue might be.
• These forms need to be interpreted, not set aside.
• Examples of the info you can gather from holistic assessment includes:
  • Presenting issues.
  • Personal history of a client.
  • Any personal relationships you need to know about – what support they have outside of counselling.
  • Health and lifestyle.
  • Any issues or challenges they may be facing.
  • Any medical or psychiatric history that may effect counselling.
  • Ethnicity, sexuality, and/or disabilities.
  • Previous experience of therapy.
  • The clients’ goals.
  • The clients risk profile.
• Remember that assessment isn’t diagnosis
• Do your competence levels match what the client’s expectations are?
• You can use assessment to help build rapport – showing unconditional positive regard, engaging in dialogue rather than being cold and clinical.
• Allows client and counsellor to track progress.
• Gives insight into life of client, anything that influences who they are.
• Keep in mind that the answers the client is giving you may not be honest ones – trust has not yet been built.