Mental Health Assessment

Get Clarity About What’s Going On

A mental health assessment can provide clarity when you have questions about your mental health or need an objective clinical evaluation. Get a clearer understanding of what’s going on, and what comes next.

Schedule an Assessment

Available in person in Chandler or virtually for clients residing throughout Arizona.

Understanding the Assessment

More Than Checking a Box

Sometimes you know something feels off, but you are not sure what it is. Other times, a provider, attorney, or another professional may recommend a mental health evaluation to better understand your current functioning.

A mental health assessment provides an opportunity to look at your symptoms, experiences, behaviors, and concerns within the context of your life as a whole.

The purpose will not be exactly the same for everyone. An assessment may be used for diagnostic clarification, to inform a referral or recommendations for care, to address questions raised during a legal or personal matter, or simply to gain a better understanding of your mental health.

The goal is not to force your experience into a label. It is to gather relevant information, understand what may be contributing to your concerns, and provide a professional clinical perspective based on the information available.

Who Is This For?

When a Mental Health Assessment May Help

There is no single type of person who needs a mental health assessment. The reason for seeking one depends on the individual and the questions that need to be answered. An assessment may be appropriate if:

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You Want Diagnostic Clarity

You may be experiencing emotional, behavioral, or mental health symptoms but are unsure what they mean or whether they may be connected to a specific mental health concern.

Megaphone representing a professional recommendation for a mental health assessment

Another Professional Recommended an Evaluation

A therapist, medical provider, attorney, or other professional may recommend an assessment to provide additional clinical information or help determine appropriate next steps.

Tangled line becoming clear representing difficulty understanding mental health symptoms

Your Symptoms Have Become Difficult to Understand

Changes in mood, anxiety, anger, behavior, relationships, or daily functioning may leave you wondering what is happening and why.

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You Need Guidance About Next Steps

You may know that you need support but are not sure what type of provider, treatment, or service would be most appropriate.

Scales of justice representing mental health assessments related to legal matters

Mental Health Has Become Relevant to a Legal Matter

Questions about mental health may arise during divorce, family disputes, criminal proceedings, or other legal situations where an objective clinical assessment has been requested or may provide useful information.

Lightbulb representing insight and a better understanding of your mental health

You Want a Better Understanding of Your Mental Health

You do not necessarily need a crisis, diagnosis, or outside referral to seek clarity. Sometimes you simply want a professional assessment of concerns that have been affecting your life.

Why People Seek An Assessment

Different Circumstances. Different Questions.

A mental health assessment is not a one-size-fits-all process. The evaluation is shaped by why you are seeking it and what questions need to be addressed. Common scenarios may include:

Diagnostic Clarification

Understanding symptoms or behaviors that may be associated with a mental health condition.

Checklist representing referral and treatment planning following a mental health assessment

Referral or Treatment Planning

Identifying whether additional therapy, medical care, specialized treatment, or another type of support may be appropriate.

Changes in Mental Health or Daily Functioning

Evaluating concerns related to mood, anxiety, anger, emotional regulation, relationships, behavior, or other changes affecting everyday life.

House with broken heart representing divorce or family related concerns

Divorce or Family-Related Matters

Providing an objective clinical assessment when questions about mental health have arisen within a divorce, family dispute, or related legal matter.

Criminal or Civil Legal Matters

Assessing mental health concerns that may be relevant to an ongoing legal situation when the requested evaluation falls within the scope of services offered.

Question mark representing personal questions and clarification about mental health

Personal Clarification

Helping you better understand concerns you have noticed in yourself, even when no outside party has requested an assessment.

Important: If an assessment has been ordered or required by a court, attorney, employer, agency, or another organization, confirm any specific provider qualifications or evaluation requirements before scheduling. Not every assessment will satisfy every legal, administrative, or organizational requirement.

What To Expect

A Process Built Around the Questions You Need Answered

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01 — Schedule Your Assessment

Contact Southwest Counseling Center to discuss the reason you are seeking an assessment and determine whether the service is appropriate for your needs.

Checklist and pencil representing completion of the online assessment

02 — Complete Requested Information

Before the clinical interview, you may be asked to provide information or complete assessment materials relevant to your individual circumstances.

Conversation bubbles representing the clinical assessment interview

03 — Participate in the Clinical Interview

You will meet with Mitch for a comprehensive interview focused on your current concerns, relevant history, symptoms, experiences, and the reason for the evaluation.

Magnifying glass representing clinical review of mental health assessment information

04 — Clinical Review

Information gathered throughout the process is reviewed together to develop a professional clinical understanding of your concerns.

Report document representing assessment findings and recommendations

05 — Receive Results & Recommendations

The findings can help clarify the concerns identified during the evaluation and provide recommendations for appropriate next steps when indicated.

After the Assessment

What Does the Final Report Include?

When a written report is part of the requested assessment, the report provides a professional summary of the evaluation and its findings. The specific content will depend on the purpose of the assessment and the questions being addressed. When applicable, the report may include:

Reason for the evaluation
Relevant background and clinical information
Presenting concerns and symptoms
Assessment methods used
Clinical findings and impressions
Diagnostic information, when appropriate
Recommendations or suggested next steps

The report is based on the information available during the assessment, including the clinical interview and any relevant assessment tools used.

When an assessment is being completed for a third party or legal matter, discuss the documentation requirements before scheduling so Southwest Counseling Center can determine whether the requested evaluation and report are within the scope of services provided.

Why Choose Southwest Counseling Center

Real Therapy.
Real Results.
No Fluff.

I’m Mitch Holly—Army veteran, licensed therapist, and someone who believes therapy should be a place for action. With advanced training in Gottman Method, EFT, CBT, DBT, and HeartMath, I offer targeted strategies that help you actually move forward—not just talk in circles.

BOOK APPOINTMENT

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Evidence-Based Tools

I use proven methods like Gottman, CBT, and DBT—not pop-psychology trends.

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Direct & Compassionate

You’ll get real talk, not judgment. We dig in with honesty and empathy.

Specialized Experience

Whether it’s couples in crisis or teens shutting down, I’ve been trained to help.

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One-on-One Support

This is a solo private practice—you work directly with me, not a rotating team.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions? Totally Normal

What is a mental health assessment?

A mental health assessment is a clinical evaluation used to better understand a person’s symptoms, experiences, behaviors, functioning, and mental health concerns. The specific purpose and structure of the assessment depend on why the evaluation is being completed.

Do I need to have a diagnosis to get an assessment?

No. Diagnostic clarification is one reason someone may seek an assessment, but it is not the only reason. You may also be seeking recommendations, responding to a referral, addressing concerns connected to a legal matter, or simply trying to better understand what you are experiencing.

Will I receive a mental health diagnosis?

Not necessarily. Whether diagnostic information is appropriate depends on the purpose of the evaluation, the information gathered, and the clinical findings.

What tests will I have to take?

There is not one set of assessment tools used for every person. The tools used, if any, are selected based on your individual concerns and the purpose of your evaluation.

Can I get a mental health assessment for a legal matter?

Potentially. Mental health concerns can arise in divorce, criminal cases, civil disputes, and other legal situations. However, legal evaluations may have specific requirements. If an assessment has been requested or required by a court, attorney, or another party, provide those requirements before scheduling to determine whether Southwest Counseling Center can complete the requested evaluation.

Is a mental health assessment the same as therapy?

No. An assessment is focused on gathering information and answering specific clinical questions. Therapy is an ongoing treatment process focused on addressing mental health concerns and working toward treatment goals.

What happens after my assessment?

Next steps depend on the findings and why the assessment was completed. Recommendations may include therapy, additional evaluation, specialized services, medical consultation, or other appropriate resources.

Can mental health assessments be completed virtually?

Availability of virtual or in-person assessment services depends on the individual evaluation and its requirements. Southwest Counseling Center provides services to individuals residing in Arizona.