Psychometric instruments are used within the NHS, the voluntary sector and in research to help clinicians understand the client better. Some insurance companies may want to see progress and therefore it would be beneficial to use them. Since the instruments are based on self reported data, the scores may fluctuate over time. That’s why they are usually filled in regular intervals.
Depression and Anxiety
The most common and widely used instruments within the NHS are the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7). These instruments help practitioners to assess the severity of depression and anxiety. The Clinical Outcome in Routine Evaluation (CORE-OM) assesses general wellbeing, problems/symptoms, functioning and risks.
Trauma, Stress & Dissociation
The Impact of Event Scale – Revised (IES-R) assesses the presence of post traumatic stress.The Dissociative Experiences Scale – (DES-II) screens for levels of dissociation.
Couples & Intimate Relationships
The Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS) helps to differentiates positive dyadic adjustment from distressed couples. It has a cut-off score where separation may be likely. There are four subscales: consensus, satisfaction, cohesion and affectional expression. In some instances couples counselling can be contraindicated.
Neurodivergence
At the moment I am using the Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale (WFIRS). More to follow soon.