ABSTRACT
The psychologist who performs evaluations of children in community mental health typically produces a report that is given to the referring party, often a social worker, or the legal guardian. These results, which are directly based on the questions posed by this referral party, may be further discussed over the phone or in a meeting. Other members of the child’s treatment team are included primarily to provide the psychologist with background information. The model is one of limited involvement with the other parties in the child’s life—it is one of getting in, getting the job done, and getting out. However, therapeutic collaborative assessments in community mental health settings inherently call for closer collaboration of many treatment team members, an aspect that can be fraught with its own set of complexities and challenges.
