Supported assessments with acutely unwell clients

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Our Psychology Advisors have noticed an increase in the number of supported assessments being undertaken with kiritaki (clients) who are acutely unwell, including those experiencing extreme dissociation or psychosis.  

While we recognise the desire to ensure these kiritaki have access to needed supports, we advise assessors to delay conducting a diagnostic assessment of this nature until the kiritaki has stabilised and is able to engage in a meaningful way with the assessment process.  

There are many reasons for this, including that very unwell clients are often unable to provide an accurate, clear, and reliable account of their history and experiences, that the assessment process may further destabilise them or exacerbate their symptoms, and that the immediate priority should be to stabilise the individual. There may also be ethical considerations concerning the client’s ability to provide informed consent and participate meaningfully in an assessment if they are extremely unwell.  

Of course, some kiritaki experience ongoing psychotic phenomena that may never remit, and in such cases to deny them the opportunity for an assessment would be unjust. In these cases, it is important to ensure that the client is no longer acutely unwell, that concerted efforts have been made to ensure mental stability as far as possible, and that the client is well enough to be able to provide an accurate, reliable account of themselves and their experiences as far as possible.  

If you have questions or concerns about an assessment, you have been asked to do, you can call our Psychology Advisors:  

Sensitive Claims Psychology Advisors: 09 354 8425 

Physical Injury Psychology Advisors: 09 354 8426