Comprehensive Outpatient Psychiatric Evaluation

A comprehensive outpatient evaluation can be a valuable tool in determining an accurate diagnosis and maintaining mental wellness. You’ll find clarity around what may be contributing to your mental health or substance abuse symptoms, and you will walk away with integrated treatment options to help you address any issues you’re facing. Sheppard Pratt has a robust, unparalleled team of experts that can help you get to the root of the problem and develop an effective treatment approach to improve your quality of life. 

We offer a comprehensive approach to assessing you and your needs. Our team of experts will provide a thorough diagnostic evaluation and determine the need for further consultation. And we will provide you with treatment recommendations and next steps, so you can get on your journey to wellness faster. Treatment is not provided as part of the comprehensive outpatient psychiatric evaluation service, and you must have a current mental health provider to participate in the evaluation service. This evaluation service is self-pay and insurance is not accepted.

Comprehensive Outpatient Psychiatric Evaluation Service At a Glance

During your three-day outpatient evaluation, you will:

• Be evaluated by a psychologist. Pending the results of this evaluation, additional specialists (psychiatrist, social worker, addiction specialist, occupational therapist) will conduct evaluations based on their specific areas of expertise (determined by your unique clinical needs).  
• Receive a comprehensive evaluation that includes review of records; consultation with current treatment team; psychiatric, psychological, family systems assessments; psychological and cognitive testing; and learning and achievement testing, as needed (additional day & fee). 
• Receive a targeted evaluation that includes review of records, consultation with your current treatment team, psychiatric assessments, psychological testing, and/or achievement testing.
• Receive diagnostic feedback. The psychologist, psychiatrist, and other specialists (if consulted with) will review findings and provide recommendations you, the outpatient team, and your family. 
• Receive a comprehensive report including findings from all specialists and a comprehensive summary including diagnosis, treatment recommendations, and referrals if possible.

About Our Psychiatric Evaluation Program

to determine whether COPES is appropriate and to determine your individual needs, the evaluation can include:

• Psychiatric Evaluation and Assessment
• Psychological Assessment and testing 
• Psychodiagnostic evaluation
• Psychosocial Assessment
• Family Systems Assessment
• Pharmacological Assessment
• Addiction Assessment
• Specialty evaluations, which can include: 
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Personality Disorders
  • Eating Disorders
  • Geriatric needs
  • Neuropsychiatry
  • Neurostimulation Assessment

Who Can Benefit from Sheppard Pratt's Evaluation Service

Our experts are well versed in caring for and evaluating people of all ages, from children to older adults. Our short-term, intensive consultation program is designed for:

• Children: If your child is struggling with behavioral, emotional, intellectual, and or educational issues that affect functioning and well-being, an evaluation can help assess these specific areas and outline strengths and weaknesses. 
• Adolescents:  A psychological assessment can examine an adolescent’s cognitive abilities, personality traits, emotional well-being, and social functioning to assess for developmental needs and challenges. 
• Young Adult: An evaluation can help young adults aged 18 to 30 who seem to be struggling with the transition to adulthood due to mood, anxiety, or substance use problems.
• Adults: Some adults have received treatment but have not found it to be effective, or they have received a mental health diagnosis and are seeking diagnostic clarification or a second opinion. An evaluation can help adults to understand what is causing the struggles and get connected to effective treatment.

About the Team

When your mental health is on the line, it’s important that you get help from the best in the field. Your diagnostic evaluation and consultation will be performed by seasoned clinicians from Sheppard Pratt, recognized as a top psychiatric hospital by U.S. News & World Report. Exact clinicians will vary based on your individual needs, but can include:

• Psychiatrist  
• Psychologist
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker
• Behavioral Specialist
• Occupational Therapist
• Marriage and Family Therapist
• Addiction Specialist  

Please note that the assessment cannot be applied to legal or administrative cases.

What's Included

Before and during your assessment, the team will collaborate with you and/or your family in a series of diagnostic tests, medical exams, and evaluations from various specialists to obtain a 360-degree review of the mind-body issues involved. You and your family may customize certain aspects of the assessment based on the questions you have. Our team will be happy to review all of your options and how you may benefit.

The outpatient assessment includes:

• Comprehensive psychiatric assessment by a collaborative, interdisciplinary team
• Pre-admission screening and evaluation of your records
• Care coordination, psychosocial assessment and caregiver interviews
• Psychiatric consultation and interpretation of clinical and medical results
• Psychological evaluation and testing
• Assessment for substance use or addictive behavior, as needed
• Other specialty consultations, assessments, evaluations and testing, as needed
• Genetic profile test and interpretation, as needed, for personalized medication treatment
• Written and verbal feedback about your case, diagnoses, and treatment recommendations

Potential for additional time with assessment team members at an additional rate for each provider.

Before your assessment, we'll ask that you provide us with all clinical records related to your psychiatric, medical, and psychosocial issues. These will help the team better understand your history and goals for the assessment. They will also help the team suggest additional tests or evaluations that could be essential to reaching the correct conclusions about your diagnosis and treatment recommendations.

We’ll also ask you to complete a genetic profile, which involves submitting a self-administered saliva sample. Our staff will provide step-by-step instructions for this simple collection process.

Findings and Report

At the end of the assessment, the team will present its findings and treatment recommendations to you. They will carefully review what they’ve uncovered and help you understand why specific treatment options are being recommended.

Within two weeks of completion of the assessment, you will receive the team's final written report.

Scheduling an Outpatient Assessment

Interested in an assessment? Call us at 410-938-5000 to talk with one of our Admissions coordinators, who will listen closely as you describe the issues causing concern. They’ll help you to determine if one of our outpatient assessments will meet your needs. You will also speak with a member of the assessment team.

 As you participate in the evaluation, you may have the option to attend The Retreat, Sheppard Pratt’s premier, private pay residential program for adults 18 and older. The outpatient evaluation service coordinator will also act as a resource, helping to arrange outpatient treatment recommendations to help you embark on your path to wellness efficiently, knowing you're supported by trusted clinicians.