Substance Use & Mental Health Evaluations
Comprehensive, Objective, and Culturally Responsive Assessments
The Association for Multicultural Behavioral Health provides comprehensive substance use and mental health evaluations for individuals referred by courts, attorneys, probation or supervision agencies, treatment providers, and other authorized professionals. We also accept self-referrals when an individual needs diagnostic clarification, treatment recommendations, or documentation of behavioral health needs.
Our evaluations are conducted by qualified behavioral health professionals and are designed to provide an objective understanding of the individual’s symptoms, substance use patterns, emotional functioning, daily functioning, treatment history, strengths, risks, and current clinical needs.
Evaluations may be conducted in English, Polish, Russian, Spanish, or Arabic, depending on clinician availability. Our multicultural approach considers language, immigration experiences, family structure, cultural background, trauma history, and other factors that may influence a person’s presentation and treatment needs.
Our evaluations are conducted by qualified behavioral health professionals and are designed to provide an objective understanding of the individual’s symptoms, substance use patterns, emotional functioning, daily functioning, treatment history, strengths, risks, and current clinical needs.
Evaluations may be conducted in English, Polish, Russian, Spanish, or Arabic, depending on clinician availability. Our multicultural approach considers language, immigration experiences, family structure, cultural background, trauma history, and other factors that may influence a person’s presentation and treatment needs.
Reasons for an Evaluation
A substance use or mental health evaluation may be requested to:
The specific purpose and scope of the evaluation are established before the assessment begins.
- Clarify possible mental health or substance use diagnoses
- Determine whether treatment or additional services are recommended
- Assess how symptoms or substance use affect daily functioning
- Identify co-occurring mental health and substance use concerns
- Assist with court, probation, supervision, or legal requirements
- Evaluate treatment needs following an arrest, family conflict, workplace concern, or significant life event
- Support appropriate referrals and individualized treatment planning
- Document progress, stability, or continuing clinical needs
The specific purpose and scope of the evaluation are established before the assessment begins.
Mental Health Evaluations |
Substance Use Evaluations |
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A mental health evaluation assesses emotional, psychological, and behavioral functioning. It may explore concerns such as depression, anxiety, trauma, mood instability, anger, impulsivity, grief, adjustment difficulties, relationship problems, and other symptoms that may interfere with daily life.
The evaluator reviews the individual’s current symptoms, developmental and family history, medical and psychiatric history, previous treatment, medications, trauma exposure, social supports, coping abilities, and functioning at home, work, school, or within relationships. When necessary, the evaluation may also address safety concerns, including suicidal thoughts, self-harm, aggression, impaired judgment, or other factors requiring immediate clinical attention. |
A substance use evaluation examines an individual’s current and historical use of alcohol, prescription medications, cannabis, opioids, stimulants, and other substances. The evaluator considers the frequency and pattern of use, consequences, attempts to reduce or stop use, prior treatment, periods of recovery, relapse risks, family history, environmental influences, and the relationship between substance use and emotional or behavioral functioning.
The evaluation is not based solely on whether a person reports using a substance. It examines the broader pattern of behavior and whether substance use has affected health, judgment, relationships, employment, parenting, legal involvement, or other areas of life. When clinically appropriate, the evaluator may recommend education, outpatient counseling, psychiatric consultation, recovery support, substance monitoring, a more intensive treatment program, or no formal substance use treatment. |
Co-Occurring Mental Health and Substance Use Concerns
Mental health symptoms and substance use frequently interact. A person may use alcohol or drugs to cope with anxiety, trauma, depression, sleep problems, or emotional distress. At the same time, substance use may intensify psychiatric symptoms, interfere with prescribed medications, or contribute to problems in relationships, employment, parenting, and legal functioning.
For this reason, our evaluations examine both areas rather than treating them as completely separate concerns. Identifying co-occurring conditions allows recommendations to address the whole person and reduces the likelihood that one significant clinical issue will be overlooked.
For this reason, our evaluations examine both areas rather than treating them as completely separate concerns. Identifying co-occurring conditions allows recommendations to address the whole person and reduces the likelihood that one significant clinical issue will be overlooked.
What the Evaluation May Include
Depending on the referral question and agreed scope, the evaluation may include:
Not every evaluation requires every component. The methods used are selected according to the referral question, professional standards, available information, and the limitations of the evaluator’s role.
- A structured clinical interview
- Review of mental health and substance use history
- Review of medical, psychiatric, legal, educational, or treatment records
- Standardized screening or assessment instruments
- Assessment of current symptoms and daily functioning
- Review of previous treatment and response to services
- Evaluation of risk and protective factors
- Collateral interviews with authorized individuals
- Diagnostic impressions, when supported by the available information
- Individualized treatment and service recommendations
Not every evaluation requires every component. The methods used are selected according to the referral question, professional standards, available information, and the limitations of the evaluator’s role.
How the Process Begins
A court-ordered evaluation typically requires an order identifying the evaluator and establishing the purpose, scope, conditions, deadlines, and financial responsibility for the evaluation.
Once the appropriate order or written referral has been received, our office will review the documentation and determine whether the matter falls within our professional scope. We will then explain the evaluation procedures, limitations of confidentiality, anticipated fees, required records, and scheduling process.
Participants will receive information regarding documents, releases, deadlines, communication procedures, payment arrangements, and expectations for participation. Evaluations requested outside of court proceedings require a written explanation of the referral question and identification of the person or organization authorized to receive the report.
Once the appropriate order or written referral has been received, our office will review the documentation and determine whether the matter falls within our professional scope. We will then explain the evaluation procedures, limitations of confidentiality, anticipated fees, required records, and scheduling process.
Participants will receive information regarding documents, releases, deadlines, communication procedures, payment arrangements, and expectations for participation. Evaluations requested outside of court proceedings require a written explanation of the referral question and identification of the person or organization authorized to receive the report.
The Written Report
When a written report is requested, it may include:
Reports are written to answer the specific referral question. They are not intended to provide opinions outside the evaluator’s professional qualifications or the agreed scope of the assessment.
- The purpose and scope of the evaluation
- Sources of information reviewed
- Relevant behavioral health and substance use history
- Clinical observations and assessment findings
- Diagnostic impressions, when appropriate
- Identified strengths, concerns, and risk factors
- Treatment or service recommendations
- Limitations affecting the evaluator’s conclusions
Reports are written to answer the specific referral question. They are not intended to provide opinions outside the evaluator’s professional qualifications or the agreed scope of the assessment.
Objectivity and Limitations of Confidentiality
A court-related or legally requested evaluation is different from confidential psychotherapy. Information obtained during the evaluation may be included in a written report, discussed with the referring professional, disclosed to the court, or released as otherwise authorized or legally required.
The evaluator’s responsibility is to provide an impartial clinical opinion based on the information available. The evaluator does not advocate for a particular party, guarantee a requested diagnosis, or promise a specific legal or administrative outcome.
A general substance use or mental health evaluation does not automatically determine legal competency, parental fitness, disability, criminal responsibility, fitness for duty, or another specialized forensic question unless that issue has been expressly accepted as part of the evaluation and is within the evaluator’s professional qualifications.
The evaluator’s responsibility is to provide an impartial clinical opinion based on the information available. The evaluator does not advocate for a particular party, guarantee a requested diagnosis, or promise a specific legal or administrative outcome.
A general substance use or mental health evaluation does not automatically determine legal competency, parental fitness, disability, criminal responsibility, fitness for duty, or another specialized forensic question unless that issue has been expressly accepted as part of the evaluation and is within the evaluator’s professional qualifications.
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AMBH, LLC 6650 N Northwest Hwy, Suite 215, Chicago, Illinois 60631 Main: (773) 313-3757 Fax: (773) 313-3762 [email protected]g |