At Foresight Psychology, we specialize in comprehensive behavioral health assessments to help individuals understand their emotions, cognitive functioning, and well-being. Whether you are a student facing academic challenges or a professional navigating workplace stress, our behavioral health assessment tools provide clarity and guidance for effective treatment and school or work accommodations. Below, we present two case studies illustrating how behavioral health testing can empower individuals to succeed personally and professionally. We can also provide a behavioral health evaluation to help diagnose conditions such as ADHD, autism, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other mental health disorders. If you have questions, feel free to contact us or schedule a consultation anytime.
What is Behavioral Health (BH)? 
BH is a broad term that covers the relationship between how you act and overall well-being. It looks at how thoughts, habits, and choices affect physical and mental functioning and how improving those can lead to a healthier and more fulfilling life.
It also includes:
- How you handle stress.
- How you take care of yourself (exercise, eating habits, sleep patterns).
- The way you cope with life challenges (loss, trauma, work stress, etc.).
- How you interact with others (relationships, communication).
- Your use of substances (alcohol, drugs, tobacco).
Key Areas
Here’s a deeper look at the main areas that fall under BH:
- Mental Wellness
This is the most recognized part. It focuses on:
- Emotional well-being (how you feel and process emotions).
- Cognitive function (how you think, process information, and make decisions).
- Patterns (how you act in response to stress, trauma, or life changes).
- Substance Use and Addiction
This part of BH focuses on how substance use (like drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or prescription medications) impacts your mental and physical functioning.
Substance use disorders include:
- Alcoholism
- Drug addiction (prescription or illegal drugs)
- Nicotine or tobacco addiction
- Addictions (like gambling, internet addiction, or shopping addiction)
- Emotional Well-Being
Emotional well-being refers to how well you manage your emotions and daily life stress. It’s about balancing your thoughts, feelings, and choices.
Signs of poor emotional well-being include:
- Frequent mood swings or irritability.
- Feeling overwhelmed or burnt out.
- Difficulty managing anger, sadness, or anxiety.
- Isolating yourself from others.
- Patterns and Lifestyle Choices
This part of BH focuses on how your daily habits and choices affect your mental and physical comfort.
Unhealthy patterns include:
- Poor sleep habits.
- Lack of physical activity.
- Poor eating patterns (binge eating, not eating, or poor nutrition).
- Risky choices (like unsafe sex, reckless driving, etc.).
- Trauma and Stress Management
This area deals with how past trauma (physical, emotional, or psychological) and chronic stress impact you.
Common sources of trauma:
- Childhood abuse or neglect.
- Domestic violence.
- Sexual assault.
- Sudden loss of a loved one.
- War, accidents, or natural disasters.
- Physical and Behavioral Wellness
BH also includes how your mental and physical health are connected. For example:
- Poor mental health can lead to physical issues (like heart disease, obesity, or diabetes).
- Poor physical health can worsen mental wellness (like chronic pain causing depression).
Types of Behavioral Health Assessments
There are many types of behavioral health evaluation, and we uniquely tailor the tools and methods we choose for each client. Each behavioral health evaluation is a combination of:
- Self-Report Questionnaires – You answer questions about your mood, choices, and thoughts (e.g., PHQ-9 for depression, GAD-7 for anxiety).
- Clinical Interviews – A behavioral health evaluation often includes structured or semi-structured questions to assess your symptoms and history.
- Observations are commonly used for children, where we observe them in different settings. For adults, we often ask you to self-observe and give us feedback about how you respond to certain events or stresses.
- Standardized Psychological Tests – More in-depth tools like the MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory) or WAIS (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale) for cognitive and emotional assessment. This is our core service.
- Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBA) – Used to understand triggers and functions for individuals with certain challenges (often in schools). We do not commonly do these.
Why Behavioral Health Testing Is Important
A behavioral health evaluation is crucial in identifying and addressing mental health conditions, guiding treatment, and improving overall well-being. Behavioral health testing provides a structured way to understand an individual’s thoughts, emotions, choices, and cognitive functioning, leading to more accurate diagnoses and effective interventions.
Early Identification of Mental Health Conditions
Many conditions, such as ADHD, autism, anxiety, and depression, can go undiagnosed for years, leading to struggles in school, work, and personal life. Behavioral health assessments help identify these conditions early, allowing for timely intervention to prevent worsening symptoms.
Personalized Treatment Planning
Once a diagnosis is made, behavioral health assessments guide treatment decisions. Depending on the results, interventions may include:
- Therapy (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy, social skills training, or trauma-informed care)
- Medication (if appropriate for conditions like ADHD, depression, or anxiety)
- Lifestyle Modifications (such as stress management techniques, diet changes, or sleep improvements)
- Accommodations (such as extra time on tests for ADHD or sensory-friendly environments for autism)
Improved Academic and Workplace Success
For students and professionals, assessments can lead to accommodations that support success. Schools and workplaces often require formal evaluations to provide necessary support, such as:
- Individualized Education Programs or 504 Plans for students that give academic accommodations
- Workplace accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Better Relationships and Social Functioning
Mental health conditions often impact personal relationships and social interactions. Understanding your diagnosis can help individuals and their loved ones develop better communication strategies, set boundaries, and seek support where needed.
Reduced Stigma and Increased Self-Awareness
Receiving a formal assessment can help individuals better understand themselves, reducing feelings of confusion, frustration, or self-blame. Knowing that struggles are linked to a diagnosable condition can validate and lead to self-compassion.
Support for Caregivers and Families
Behavioral health assessments provide clarity for parents, partners, and caregivers on how best to support a loved one. This may include learning specific parenting strategies, seeking family counseling, or accessing community resources, including therapeutic tutoring.
Access to Necessary Services and Support
Many support services require formal diagnoses, such as:
- Government benefits (e.g., disability support, therapy funding)
- Specialized treatment programs (e.g., intensive therapy, occupational therapy)
- Insurance coverage for services
How Behavioral Health Assessments Help
- Provide a clear picture of strengths and challenges – Behavioral health testing helps individuals understand their unique needs.
- Ensure the right diagnosis – It distinguishes between conditions that have overlapping symptoms (e.g., ADHD vs. anxiety).
- Guide evidence-based interventions – It leads to targeted treatments instead of trial-and-error approaches.
- Track progress over time – Behavioral health testing helps measure improvements or adjustments needed in treatment plans.
- Empower individuals – It gives people the knowledge to advocate for themselves in educational, workplace, and other settings.
Types of Behavioral Health Assessments
A behavioral health evaluation involves various standardized tools to evaluate mental wellness conditions, cognitive functioning, and emotional well-being. These assessments help diagnose conditions like learning disabilities, ADHD, autism, anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
1. Core Behavioral Health Assessments
These behavioral health assessment tools assess mood, emotions, and overall psychological well-being.
Depression & Anxiety Behavioral Health Assessment Tools:
- PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) – Measures symptoms of depression.
- GAD-7 (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7) – Evaluates anxiety symptoms.
- Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) – Assesses the severity of depression.
- Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) – Used to measure anxiety severity.
PTSD & Trauma Behavioral Health Testing:
- PCL-5 (PTSD Checklist for DSM-5) – Screens for PTSD symptoms.
- ACE Questionnaire (Adverse Childhood Experiences) – Identifies childhood trauma risk factors.
2. Neurodevelopmental & Cognitive Behavioral Health Assessment Tools
These tests diagnose conditions like ADHD, autism, and learning disabilities.
ADHD Behavioral Health Testing:
- Conners Rating Scale – Parent/teacher/self-report measure for ADHD symptoms.
- Vanderbilt ADHD Diagnostic Rating Scale – Screens for ADHD in children.
- Continuous Performance Test (CPT) – Measures attention and impulsivity.
- Brown Executive Function/Attention Scales (Brown EF/A) – Evaluates executive functioning deficits in ADHD.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Behavioral Health Assessment Tools:
- ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, 2nd Edition) – Gold standard observational test for autism.
- M-CHAT (Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers) – Early screening for autism in young children.
- SRS-2 (Social Responsiveness Scale, 2nd Edition) – Measures social difficulties related to autism.
- AQ (Autism Spectrum Quotient) – Self-report questionnaire for adults suspecting autism.
Learning Disability & Cognitive Functioning Behavioral Health Assessment Tools:
- WISC-V (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, 5th Edition) – Measures IQ and cognitive strengths/weaknesses.
- WAIS-IV (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, 4th Edition) – IQ test for adults.
- Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Achievement – Identifies learning disabilities.
- D-KEFS (Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System) – Assesses executive functioning.
3. Personality & Behavioral Health Assessments
These behavioral health assessment tools evaluate personality traits, mood stability, and patterns of life choices.
- MMPI-2 (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2) – Assesses personality traits and mental health conditions.
- MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) – A personality test (not diagnostic).
- Big Five Personality Test (OCEAN Model) – Measures five core personality traits.
- Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC-3) – Comprehensive assessment for kids.
4. Substance Use & Behavioral Addiction Assessments
These tests screen for substance abuse and other addictive behaviors.
- AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) – Screens for alcohol misuse.
- DAST-10 (Drug Abuse Screening Test) – Assesses drug use severity.
- CAGE Questionnaire – Simple screening tool for alcohol dependency.
- Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS) – Evaluates compulsive eating behaviors.
5. Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBA)
These behavioral health assessment tools are used in schools and workplaces to analyze problem behaviors and determine interventions.
- ABC Chart (Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence) – Identifies triggers and consequences.
- MAS (Motivation Assessment Scale) – Determines why a choice occurs.
- FAST (Functional Analysis Screening Tool) – Helps professionals develop intervention plans.
Case 1: College Student – ADHD & Anxiety Behavioral Health Evaluation
Alex, a 20-year-old college sophomore, struggles with focus, time management, and meeting deadlines. She has also experienced anxiety before exams and social interactions. Alex’s academic advisor suggests a behavioral health evaluation to determine if ADHD or anxiety is impacting her performance.
Behavioral Health Testing Process:
- Clinical Interview: We gather information about Alex’s academic struggles, history of attention issues, and emotional well-being.
- Self-Report & Behavioral Questionnaires:
- Vanderbilt ADHD Diagnostic Rating Scale (completed by Alex and a parent)
- Conners’ Adult ADHD Rating Scale
- GAD-7 (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7) to assess anxiety symptoms
- Cognitive & Executive Function Behavioral Health Assessment Tools:
- Continuous Performance Test (CPT) to measure attention and impulsivity
- WAIS-IV (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, 4th Edition) to assess cognitive abilities
- Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA):
- Observations on how Alex approaches tasks in different settings (structured vs. unstructured environments)
Results & Diagnosis:
- Results of the behavioral health evaluation indicate moderate inattentive-type ADHD and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
- Alex has difficulty with sustained attention, working memory, and organization. Anxiety symptoms worsen before exams, affecting test performance.
Interventions & Accommodations:
- College Accommodations:
- Extra time on exams
- Access to a distraction-free testing environment
- Extended deadlines for assignments when necessary
- Therapeutic Support:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety and executive functioning skills
- Time management and study strategy coaching
- Medication Consultation:
- A psychiatrist discusses the potential benefits of ADHD medication
Case 2: Young Professional – Depression & Burnout Behavioral Health Testing
Jordan, a 26-year-old marketing professional, has been feeling overwhelmed at work. He reports difficulty concentrating, low motivation, chronic fatigue, and feelings of hopelessness. His manager has noticed a drop in performance and frequent absences.
Testing Process:
- Clinical Interview: We explore Jordan’s work stress, sleep patterns, mood changes, and any history of wellness concerns.
- Self-Report & Behavioral Questionnaires:
- PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) to assess depression symptoms
- Burnout Assessment (Maslach Burnout Inventory – MBI) to evaluate work-related stress
- Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) for anxiety screening
- Cognitive Behavioral Health Assessment Tools:
- D-KEFS (Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System) to assess cognitive flexibility and problem-solving skills
- WAIS-IV Working Memory Index to evaluate cognitive fatigue effects
- Personality & Emotional Health Assessment:
- MMPI-2 (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2) to rule out underlying personality disorders or mood disorders
Behavioral Health Testing Results & Diagnosis:
- Behavioral health evaluation results indicate moderate major depressive disorder (MDD) with work-related burnout.
- Cognitive testing suggests that stress and depression are impairing executive functioning and working memory.
Interventions & Workplace Accommodations:
- Therapeutic Support:
- Weekly therapy (CBT and mindfulness-based stress reduction)
- Lifestyle changes: sleep hygiene, exercise, structured daily routines
- Workplace Adjustments:
- Reduced workload or modified deadlines
- Flexible work hours or remote work options
- Encouragement to take breaks and use vacation days
- Medical Consultation:
- Consideration of antidepressant medication if symptoms persist
Behavioral Health Assessments: Key Takeaways
- Behavioral health assessments provide a comprehensive functioning view, leading to targeted interventions.
- College students often require accommodations to support academic success, while young professionals may benefit from workplace adjustments and stress management strategies. A behavioral health evaluation is often needed for these.
- Behavioral health assessment tools help differentiate between overlapping conditions, such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, and burnout, ensuring the right treatment is provided.
Summary and Our Work
At Foresight Psychology, we recognize the importance of behavioral health assessments in providing individuals with the insights and tools they need to succeed. Whether you are a college student seeking academic accommodations or a professional facing workplace burnout, our behavioral health testing helps tailor personalized interventions that improve mental well-being and daily functioning. These assessments can also provide a deeper understanding of the barriers and challenges in reaching your potential and finding new possibilities.
If you or someone you know is struggling, our team is here to provide expert evaluations and support. Contact us or schedule a consultation and take the next step toward a healthier, more fulfilling life.
