assessment discussed by Briere & Scott and Levers, (Chapter 26) or
other approaches that you are familiar with, identifying strengths,
weaknesses, challenges, and benefits for treatment.
Assessment of trauma is essential in being able to diagnose and treat the
trauma that is being presented (Levers et al., 2022, pg.414). The therapist
needs to know the nature of the trauma and how it is impacting the client in
order to assist the client with the journey of healing. Understanding if the
trauma was a single episode or if it was a series of re-occurring events is also
an important element to assess (Levers et al., 2022, pg. 414). A thorough
psychosocial assessment where the client is giving the history of trauma will
even shed light on some trauma that the client is not aware could be a
contributing factor to what they are currently going through (Levers et al.,
2022, pg.414).
The therapist can use several different methods to assist with diagnosing
trauma (Levers et al., 2022, pg. 420-422)
Structured Interview for Disorders of Extreme Stress
PCL-5- a 5 question assessment that assess core traits of PTSD.
PDS-5-a 52 question assessment that assesses the implications
from a single traumatic event.
These are some examples of self reporting instruments that will be able to
help the counselor to be able to understand the trauma as well as to bring
more awareness to the nature of the trauma to the client (Levers et al., 2022
pg 426).
The Initial Trauma Review-3 (ITR-3) is a way for the clinician to integrate
trauma response and process questions into the initial interview conducted
with the client (Briere & Scott, 2014 pg.70). The benefits of this assessment
is that it offers a way for the clinician to ask question in a non-stigmatizing
way and may offer the client an opportunity to feel more safe to respond to
the initial questions ( Briere & Scott, 2014, pg. 70). The clinician will be
taking note of avoidant type responses, and changes in affect and mood
(Briere & Scott, 2014 pg. 74).
The Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) focuses only on PTSD and can
take an hour or longer to administer. This is helpful as it gives a rating for
severity of PTSD symptoms (Briere & Scott, 2014, pg.86).
There are so many more ways to assess for trauma using assessments based
off of the specific trauma. This is where the initial clinical interview is helpful,
as it will give the clinician the background information in order to know which
assessment tool is right for the client.
The Bible is a great source of hope for the client while navigating this process
as it says, "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds" (Psalm
147:3, KJV). We must remember that the Word of God is a great instrument
of healing while assessing and working with trauma clients.
Briere, J. N., & Scott, C. (2014). Principles of Trauma Therapy (2nd ed.). SAGE
Publications, Inc.
(US). https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/books/9781483351254 Links to an
external site.
NCC, L.L.L.P.L.L. C. (2022). Trauma Counseling (2nd ed.). Springer Publishing
LLC. https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/books/9780826150851
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