Josh Andrews

More and more I am seeing new names on my client roster. Looking back on how many actually show up for their appointment can be mind boggling. Performing diagnostic assessments (DA) is an all or nothing proposition. Out of the 4-5 DA’s that may be scheduled daily, on average 2-3 may show up. The clients that do not show usually do not call to cancel. The clients that cancel usually cancel 3-4 times before they show up for their DA, which is the initial face-to-face contact with our agency.

As I see clients and their families for the first time, I get a sense of personal loss that can be infectious if one is not careful. Performing diagnostic assessments opens the world of the client and allows me to see, although dimly, into some very dark and personal places. The assessor is the first line of defense and offense to help the hurting client bleed a little bit less with our therapeutic band-aid.

Here in the State of Ohio, professional counselors and professional clinical counselors can administer and score psychological tests in which they received training. PCC's can diagnose and treat mental health disorders and conditions independently and PC's can also diagnose and treat while under the supervision of a PCC. Counselors have received licensure in all 50 states but still seem to be looked down upon by other mental health professions. In all states, individuals who are licensed as counselors need at minimum a Masters degree plus multiple years of supervised training before earning independent licensure status.