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• It is essential that clinicians have in-depth knowledge about the variables they are measuring; if not, their evaluations are likely to be extremely limited
• When evaluating whether a test will be useful in a specific case, a clinician should consider

  • Practical considerations
  • Standardization sample
  • Reliability and validity
• A test should truly measure a construct of interest in the specific case
• It is important that the examiner consider whether a specific test or tests are appropriate to use on an individual or group
• Factors to consider when determining if a test is appropriate


  • Client's age
  • Sex
  • Ethnicity
  • Race
  • Culture
  • Educational background
  • Motivation for testing
  • Anticipated level of resistance
  • Social environment
  • Interpersonal relationships
• Clinicians need to assess the effectiveness or utility of the test in aiding the treatment process
• Etiologic descriptions


  Avoid simplistic formulas and instead focus on the influence exerted by several interacting factors, which may include primary, predisposing, precipitating, and reinforcing causes
• Systems perspective


  Clinician evaluates patterns of interaction, mutual two-way influences, and the specifics of reciprocal information feedback
• Clinicians should pay careful attention to research on, and the implications of, incremental validity and continually be aware of the limitations and possible inaccuracies involved in clinical judgment
• If actuarial formulas are available, they should be used when possible
• The description of a client should not be a mere labeling or classification but should rather provide a deeper and more accurate understanding of the person
• Phases in clinical assessment


  1. Clarify and evaluate referral question

  2. Conduct clinical and collateral interviews

  3. Develop hypotheses

  4. Select tests

  5. Gather test evidence

  6. Modify hypotheses

  7. Accept hypotheses

  8. Create dynamic model of the person

  9. Develop recommendations
• Rejected hypotheses are abandoned, and the clinician can confidently move on to evaluating other hypotheses
• Accepting hypotheses can be much more difficult, especially when it comes to personality or emotional functioning
• Clinicians should create a dynamic understanding of how factors interact to explain what is happening for the client
• Recommendations cannot be vague or broad, such as recommending "therapy" to a client. They should be both clear and specific
• Recommendations should be reasonable, given the circumstances