Intake Evaluation

Intake evaluations are an essential first step in establishing therapeutic care. The intake appointment involves an extensive, structured interview and serves two important purposes:

  1. It gives you a chance to ask questions and to learn more about the PCC and the types of treatment that we provide.
  2. It provides us with a better understanding of what is bringing you into treatment – the things that may be most challenging or difficult. Having a better understanding of these things allows us to individualize our approach and set specific goals to maximize improvement over the course of treatment.

An intake appointment typically takes about two hours. During the intake, you will be asked questions about important life events, as well as your thoughts, feelings, or beliefs about your experiences, related to the following areas:

  • Importance and influence of cultural identity
  • Early childhood and family life
  • Education, employment, and medical history
  • Past mental health treatment
  • Interpersonal relationships and support systems
  • Sleep, appetite, and substance use
  • Past/current symptoms and areas of difficulty
  • Treatment goals

Clients may be seeking treatment for the very first time, or may be returning to treatment at a particularly difficult time. Beginning therapy can feel overwhelming and clients often have lots of questions. We are committed to providing a warm and safe space where it is ok to be uncertain, to explore your experiences, and to talk openly about both current and past events. We are genuinely interested in learning about who you are and how we can help you become the person you want to be.

Intake Evaluation Team

While Intake appointments are scheduled year round, the PCC has a specific group of clinicians who do all Intake evaluations during the Spring semester. This group of clinicians is specifically trained to establish rapport with clients, efficiently gather data that will inform treatment decisions, and to make informed and appropriate treatment recommendations based on a client’s concerns and symptoms.