Assessments

Diagnostic Assessments

Therapeutic Services Agency provides Diagnostic Assessment services to assist with: determining therapeutic treatment needs, eligibility for specific services based on requirements such as Children’s Mental Health Case Management Services, Children’s Therapeutic Services and Supports, and case planning.

The DA (diagnostic assessment) involves a face-to-face clinical interview with the client and licensed professional clinician for the purpose of determining the diagnosis and treatment recommendations. The DA is generally completed at the first appointment and involves 1-2 hours of clinical interviewing. The clinical information gathered for the DA by the clinician covers and assesses the following domains:

1. Client’s current life situation and sources of stress;
2. Completion of the psychosocial history;
3. Identification of the client’s strengths/weaknesses;
4. Mental status review;
5. Risk assessment and
6. An assessment summary with the client related areas of impairment in functioning and treatment recommendations.
7. The DA concludes with a written report and includes the diagnosis for all five Axes (Axis I-V).

Specialized Assessments

TSA provides specialized assessment services with a focus on the needs of the children. Through the assessment process, invaluable information is provided that can be used to help focus and sometimes expedite case and permanency planning on behalf of the well-being of children. The thorough assessment and recommendations concluded offer valuable information not only for parents and families, but also case managers and the courts. Other children and families may need assessment to fully understand the needs of the child, family and parenting attributes, attachment relationships, or sibling experiences and how best to proceed to family reunification/permanency planning.

• Parenting Assessment:
  Evaluation is completed through a comprehensive, structured interview process and parent/child observations to offer prognosis for future parenting success. Indicators for poor prognosis or positive reunification are flagged and discussed.
   
• Parenting Capacity Assessment:
  Evaluation is completed through relevant collateral and file review to offer prognosis for parent’s capacity for effective parenting. The assessment is not based upon direct observation of the parent/child relationship.
   
• Attachment Assessment:
  Evaluation includes clinical assessment of attachment relationship of each child to the caretaker(s) through intensive observation. Includes detailed description of attunement, strength of child/caretaker interactions, and relational dynamics. Placement recommendations are also offered.
   
• Sibling Relationship Assessment:
  Evaluation examines sibling relationships, placement histories, attachment, and impact on separation. Recommendations for placement considerations included. 

All Specialized Assessments Include:

• Two or three parent /child observations (with the exception of the Parenting Capacity Assessment). 
• In depth parent interview.
• Collateral contact with relevant professionals, foster parents, Guardian ad Litem, case manager or other referral source.
• Thorough file review related to parent and/or child.
• Written document offering assessment information, prognosis for future success, recommendations for services, reunification, transitions and/or placement suggestions. 

Each assessment examines the historical background of family members, the mental health of the adults and the children, the special needs of the family, the addiction/abuse/trauma history, as well as the resiliency and coping strategies for parents and children.  Assessments may be completed in a variety of locations including TSA offices, family homes or other arranged sites. 

TSA provides DA and specialized assessment services in the offices at St. Paul, Anoka and Pine City. As well, in certain situations, we may provide these services in the client’s home. For further information or referral, call 320-629-7600 or 651-224-4114.

Privacy Practice

Specialized Assessments Offered:

Parenting Assessment

Parenting Capacity Assessment

Attachment Assessment

Sibling Relationship Assessment

For more information or to make a referral, call:

320-629-7600 or  651-224-4114