Assessments & Evaluations

Gain clarity, direction, and insight with professional mental health testing.
Woman receiving mental health evaluation

What Are Mental Health Assessments?

Mental health assessments are structured tools and clinical interviews used to evaluate psychological, emotional, and cognitive functioning. At Ascend Counseling & Wellness, our licensed professionals use assessments to help clarify diagnoses, inform treatment plans, and identify the best path forward.

Whether you’re struggling with unexplained symptoms, seeking an updated diagnosis, or pursuing accommodations at work or school, assessments provide the clarity and validation needed to move forward with confidence.

Why Consider an Evaluation?

Mental health evaluations can be incredibly helpful in a range of situations, such as:

  • Understanding mood changes, anxiety, or emotional dysregulation

  • Clarifying possible conditions like ADHD, OCD, or PTSD

  • Screening for autism or neurodivergent traits

  • Supporting requests for academic or workplace accommodations

  • Establishing diagnostic clarity before beginning medication or therapy

  • Tracking symptom progression or treatment effectiveness

  • Getting a second opinion or updated clinical review

Assessments are not just about labels—they’re about learning more about how your brain works and what supports your mental health most effectively.

What to Expect in Sessions

What to Expect

The assessment process at Ascend Counseling & Wellness is designed to be thorough, respectful, and user-friendly. While every evaluation is tailored to the individual, most include:

  1. Clinical Intake Interview

    • A one-on-one session with a licensed provider to review history, current concerns, and goals

  2. Standardized Screening Tools

    • You may complete online or in-office forms related to specific symptoms or diagnoses

  3. Behavioral Observations or Feedback

    • Especially helpful for child or teen evaluations

  4. Scoring, Interpretation, and Diagnosis

    • A licensed clinician reviews your results in detail

  5. Feedback Session

    • A follow-up conversation to explain findings and discuss next steps

  6. Optional Written Summary or Report

    • Documentation available if needed for schools, workplaces, or other providers

Types of Assessments We Offer

We provide evaluations for a wide range of clinical needs, including:

  • General mental health and emotional wellness

  • Depression, anxiety, panic, and stress-related disorders

  • ADHD (child, teen, and adult)

  • Autism Spectrum (screening and symptom exploration)

  • OCD and intrusive thoughts

  • Mood disorders, including bipolar spectrum

  • PTSD and trauma-related symptoms

  • Substance use screening

  • Behavioral challenges in children and adolescents

  • Pre-treatment baseline assessments for therapy or psychiatry

  • Support for academic or workplace accommodations (when appropriate)

Our assessments are not forensic in nature (i.e., not for legal or court use), but are intended to support clinical insight and care planning.

Tools & Screeners We Use

We incorporate evidence-based tools and structured interviews, such as:

  • PHQ-9 (Depression)

  • GAD-7 (Anxiety)

  • MDQ (Mood Disorders)

  • ASRS (Adult ADHD)

  • RAADS-14 (Autism traits)

  • Y-BOCS / OCI-R (OCD)

  • ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences)

  • Vanderbilt/Conners (ADHD – children)

  • Custom clinician-generated assessments aligned with DSM-5

The list above is just an example of some of the tests and measures in which we may use. Each tool is carefully selected based on your presenting concerns and evaluation goals.

Who Can Benefit from an Evaluation?

Mental health assessments are valuable for:

  • Adults looking to understand their symptoms more clearly

  • Parents seeking insight into their child’s behavior or emotional needs

  • Teens and college students navigating identity, focus, and stress

  • Individuals wondering if past diagnoses still apply

  • People considering therapy, medication, or both

  • Anyone seeking peace of mind and a more informed path forward

Whether you’re just starting your mental health journey or seeking refined guidance, an assessment can provide the foundation you need.

Contact Us Today

Why Choose Ascend Counseling & Wellness?

Our assessments are led by licensed, compassionate clinicians who prioritize clarity, ethics, and individualized care. We use evidence-based tools and tailor each evaluation to your unique concerns—ensuring you receive results that are both accurate and actionable.

man receiving mental health assessment

Have More Questions?

Contact us today via email, phone call, or text message.