It was
interesting reading the Nelson article, because this highlighted a different
kind of assessment. Up to this point we
have focused more on testing and the psychometric properties of those tests. But in this case, we are invited to utilize
what might be likened to the personal interview as a means of assessment. To some extent, the personal interview or
counselor assessment might contain some factual information. But from reading and looking at Nelson’s
diagram, it seems that the assessment process is as much art as science. The success of the assessment would seem to
rely on the art and skill of the assessor or counselor. In that sense the assessment might produce
quite different conclusions for direction of treatment depending on the
practitioner. Although there may be a
great deal of inter-rater variability, this does not negate the importance of
such an approach.
This
approach to choosing a counseling strategy or strategies takes seriously the
notion of assessment at the beginning and throughout the counseling
relationship. As Nelson sees things,
each step along the way is guided by the practitioner’s continual assessment of
what is needed, what is working, and what the client seems receptive to pursuing. This notion is a departure from a pre- and
post-test mentality, and rather equates assessment with an eye to assessment
that is pervasive throughout each session with a client.
The
approach presented also takes into account the ability and desire of the
counselor to respond to continual assessment by changing methods and
approaches. If a counselor feels
comfortable with only a singular approach, then he/she would be ill suited for
Nelson’s approach. His approach
necessitates a flexible counselor with skills and familiarity for a variety of
approaches. I appreciated the
perspective offered that in the world of managed health care and fewer school
counselors, a client’s options may be limited in terms of who may serve as a
counselor. Therefore, a counselor who is
adaptable in a very intentional and disciplined way could be very well suited
for the demands and limitations present for many clients.
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