What is a primary purpose of psychological assessment in clinical settings?

The primary purpose of psychological assessment in clinical settings is to gather information for diagnosis and treatment planning. This comprehensive process involves using a variety of tools and techniques, such as interviews, questionnaires, and standardized tests, to collect data about a client's psychological functioning, behaviors, and symptoms. The information obtained through assessment is crucial in forming an accurate diagnosis, which can guide clinicians in determining the most effective interventions and therapeutic approaches tailored to the individual's needs.

While measuring client satisfaction and predicting future behavior are important aspects of clinical practice, they are not the primary goals of psychological assessments. Providing therapy is a direct clinical intervention, which follows assessment rather than being part of the assessment process itself. Thus, the focus of psychological assessment is fundamentally centered on collecting the necessary information to inform and direct appropriate clinical decisions.