What communication methods are adequate or preferable for assessing the client?
The clinician has a variety of communication methods for conducting the initial assessment of the client: in-person, video-conferencing, phone, email, and instant messaging or chat. Clients may have a preference for this initial contact, which may in itself be of diagnostic significance. Clients interested in online therapy may prefer a text-only setting for this first contact. They may feel more comfortable in that setting, be more able to express themselves, or wish to maintain some anonymity. Clients’ preferences need to be considered along with the potential advantages of conducting the assessment using different communication methods. Combining different methods during the assessment process will yield more comprehensive and qualitatively different information about the client’s personality and behaviors. Face-to-face and/or phone interviews should be encouraged during the assessment phase, although these methods may not be absolutely necessary in every case. Assessment within the
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