Assessment

Abstract

The role of neuropsychological assessment in neuropsychotherapy and in related interventions ranges from fundamental to almost irrelevant, depending on the problem and on the intervention. It is very important to know the etiology and the prognosis of the condition and the causes and the manifestations of resulting problems for detailed, problem-solving counseling and neuropsychotherapy. By contrast, it may be enough to know the diagnostic category or the type of problem to recommend education and support groups. Some problems are so obvious that little assessment is needed. The clinician recommends how thorough an assessment is needed for the presenting problem and for the intended intervention and weighs costs of assessment and the risks of error in helping the client to make prudent use of professional resources.