It can be stressful when you are court mandated or lawyer recommended to get a mental health assessment. The vast majority of people who are involved in the court system never previously had their mental health questioned, and this can be very extremely intimidating. We are asked lots of questions about it such as :
- What’s the assessment like?
- Why doesn’t my insurance cover this?
- Is it better to do the assessment online or in person?
- What if I say the wrong thing?
What’s a Psychological Assessment & How Can It Help Me in Court?
Our psychological health assessments look for any clinically significant mental health impairments . If your legal situation involves something that overlaps with mental health , your judge or prosecutor may want a mental health assessment completed so they can have an increased understanding of the possible factors pertaining to your legal charge. Conditions like depression, post traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety substance abuse and other disorders are all considered to be mental health conditions and need to be professionally evaluated by a licensed clinician. The counselor will also give a clinical recommendation to help treat any conditions that were found throughout the assessment.
Even thought it might sounds scary to be ordered to get a psychological assessment, this can actually be a positive sign for your care. They may be concerned that your mental health condition played a significant role in your offense and may believe that mental health treatment could help you and society have a better outcome, rather than sending you to jail or prison.
Many counties within Pennsylvania have mental health court and drug & alcohol court that have diversion or intervention programs. These are programs specifically designed to help people get appropriate treatment. Because the court system does not specialize in assessing for mental health or addiction conditions, they order you to get an assessment from a qualified provider.
Many courts see this as a much more effective way of reducing repeat offenses instead of punishing offenders and hoping they make positive changes.
How Long Does This Psychological Assessment Take?
The majority of mental health assessments begins with the client answering questions regarding their mental health and wellness. The amount of time typically varies from about 15-30 minutes. After the questionnaire is completed, you will speak with a professional counselor for about 30-55 minutes to clarify your responses and provide the context from your point of view.
After the session is completed, our evaluators create a report to explain and summarize your mental health findings and clinical treatment recommendations . The questionnaire and interviews can be completed within a few hours. The evaluator needs time to write your report. At Makin Wellness, we can create a court accepted document within 5 business days . If you need it faster, we can arrange for a rush order for an additional $200 to have it completed by the next business day.
Is it Better To Complete This Online or In One Of Your Offices?
The courts are more concerned about if you spoke with a licensed professional to truly went in depth enough to assess for mental health conditions, rather than if you did it online. We are able to meet securely online or in one of our convenient locations. It is up to you what you feel more comfortable with. If you are looking for a specific assessment for court, please ask a lot of questions about the evaluators background and experience. You can also look up professionals on state licensing board to make sure their license is valid or if there are any actions against them. At Makin Wellness, we have the highest rated clinicians on our team that regularly meet with clients that are court mandated . We have experience coordinating care and communicating with your lawyers as well.
How Much do Mental Health Assessments Cost?
The basic psychological assessments that are accepted in the majority of court ordered situations usually range from $450-$600 in the Pennsylvania region. At Ubuntu Counseling, our fee for a Mental Health Assessment is $400 . If you need your results sooner, you can rush your order for next business day for an additional $200. Insurance does not cover for specific assessments. We may provide you with a receipt of fees paid for our assessment services for possible reimbursement. You may also use a Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Account for payment as well.
