The practice of assessment entails the collection of information in order to identify, analyse, evaluate, and address the problems, issues, and circumstances of clients in the counselling relationship. Assessment is used as a basis for identifying problems, planning interventions, evaluating and/or diagnosing clients, and informing clients and stakeholders. Many novice counsellors may make the mistake of identifying assessment as a means to an end, such as providing a label or diagnosis to a client. In this text , assessment will be viewed as a process essential to all elements of counselling. Whether practicing in a school, private practice, agency, or other health care setting, assessment plays an integral role. Assessment moves beyond the administration of measures.

Assessment involves identifying statements, actions, and procedures to help individuals, groups, couples, and families make progress in the counselling environment. Although counsellors have the opportunity to limit their scope of practice with respect to modalities, theories, and types of clients, a counsellor cannot function without an understanding of the processes and procedures of assessment in counselling.

Counselling Checklist

• Welcome your client!
• Ensure that client is comfortable
• Build rapport!
• Reassure about confidentiality
• Clarify client’s needs and goals
• Take the case history
• Identify signs/symptoms
• Assess the risk of your client
• Highlight importance of early diagnosis
• Explain treatment and importance of completing full course
• Provide information on complications
• Encourage partner treatment
• Promote, provide and demonstrate correct
  usage of condoms
• Explain about prevention
• Help your client to make a risk reduction plan
• Motivate and refer
• Motivate for a follow up visit!
• Maintain all requisite records