Assessment:
The first part of the assessment process involves doing an in-depth initial interview with you to gather information about your child and family. This can be done in person or by phone. We discuss presenting issues or difficulties that your child is having, review history, and talk about your child’s strengths and accomplishments. This is the beginning of identifying and understanding your particular concerns, hopes, and desires.
With your permission, I will schedule calls to talk with other professionals such as teachers, therapists or psychiatrists who know your child. I believe it is essential to work cooperatively with other professionals who have worked or are working with your family, and to include them in the process as much as possible.
My strong preference is to meet your son or daughter if at all possible. We will talk in the interview about the logistics of this and together we will decide on an appropriate plan.
I will request that you provide testing, educational records, hospitalization records, or any other paperwork that you have that would be helpful in understanding your child’s strengths and areas of concern.
Recommendation:
I will recommend the residential environment that will best meet your child’s presenting needs, taking into account academics, social learning, sobriety, and emotional/mental health. For a variety of reasons, not all families decide to use a residential program. We will discuss the possible benefits involved in using a residential program and together, we will develop a way forward.