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Intake: Mental Health First Evaluation Interview

Revital Ordan, Psychiatric Nurse, Director of the Ambulatory Mental Health Services, Ministry of Health
12 August 2025

An intake interview is the initial evaluation conducted when beginning a new therapeutic framework. Its primary objective is to evaluate the patient’s mental condition.

The primary objectives of an intake

  • Preliminary clinical diagnosis.
  • Evaluation of symptom and functional level.
  • Evaluation of support systems and motivation.
  • Determination of care program recommendations.

The stages of an intake process

  • Review of previous medical records.
  • An interview and clinical examination.
  • Observation and assessment of mental and cognitive states.
  • An assessment of mental status.
  • Personality characterization.
  • Psychodynamic assessment.
  • Psychosocial assessment.
  • Functional assessment.

Who is authorized to conduct an intake assessment

An intake is typically conducted by a senior mental healthcare professional with experience in one of the fields of mental health. In many cases, an intake will also consist of a psychiatric assessment and include several mental healthcare professionals.

It is important to note that the initial therapy session will also include an additional intake. This more comprehensive intake will focus on identifying the type of therapy and its objectives. It will establish the therapeutic connection between the therapist and the patient.

Summary of an assessment process

The evaluator will summarize the assessment process to the patient and explain the diagnosis or the suspected diagnosis and the primary recommendations for the type of therapy and setting of the required treatment. A written summary of the intake will be documented in the medical records.

An initial intake interview is conducted at the beginning of any new therapeutic framework, whether it is in individual or group therapy, in a clinic setting, a balancing house, in a hospital’s ward, or any other setting. The objective of the intake is to assess the patient's mental condition from a clinical perspective, including the symptoms, their intensity, and the patient’s functional level. The intake also examines the patient’s support systems, their motivation, and their expectations from therapy, as well as the compatibility of the therapeutic framework with their needs. Additionally, the intake assists in determining initial recommendations for establishing a therapy program.

The intake is conducted by a variety of professionals in the field of mental health, often involving more than one discipline. Frequently, the intake consists of an examination and a psychiatric assessment. When entering a multidisciplinary therapeutic setting, the intake is typically conducted by the entity that is not the one that will care for you later but by a professional practitioner with a broad systemic perspective and the ability to customize the therapy you require. When an intake is performed at the beginning of the therapy session (in the first meeting with the therapist), it is conducted by the therapist and has further goals, such as establishing the therapeutic connection, determining the goal and scope of the therapy, along with identifying and exploring the central issues that will be addressed in therapy. It is worth noting that the intake may require one session or more, depending on individual needs.

It is important to know

It is important to know

The intake can be held in one or more sessions, depending on the need.

What does the intake process include

To obtain the necessary information for clinical evaluation, presumptive diagnosis, and the development of an initial recommended therapy program, the diagnostic process includes the following activities:

These records may include both a questionnaire the patient has filled out and clinical documents, such as summaries of previous treatment and hospitalization, medical tests, and follow-ups by mental health providers.

During the intake, a comprehensive anamnesis is obtained, which includes obtaining the patient’s consent, collecting identification details, and documenting the reason for referral. The interviewer will explore the development of the current episode for which the therapy referral was made, the family and genetic history, the course of the current episode, and any underlying physical conditions. Additionally, the interviewer will ask about the patient’s current medications, past and present use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol, cannabis, or other drugs, as well as any history of addictive behaviors (internet, sex, gambling).
In addition, a physical examination may be conducted if necessary, which may include assessments such as vital signs, ECG, and blood tests.

This examination begins with an assessment of the patient’s physical appearance, general behavior, and interaction with the examiner. The interviewer then conducts an assessment of the patient's cognitive functioning, including comprehension, concentration, memory, speech, language, reading, and writing abilities. The interviewer then assesses the patient's temporal and spatial orientation, their mood and emotional expressions, and explores their thoughts, including content, consistency, rhythm, and coherence. The interviewer also assesses any disruptions in sensory perception, such as hearing or seeing things that do not exist in reality.

In addition, the interviewer assesses the patient’s reality testing and judgment, whether the patient demonstrates appropriate behavior in accordance with the given situation and accepted social norms. It is important to note that the reason for conducting this specific assessment is that an accurate perception of reality is an indicator of an individual’s ability to function in a way that maintains their personal safety and appropriate functioning.

Rigid and inflexible personality patterns demonstrated by the patient, such as thoughts and internal experiences, which characterize them and affect their behavior.

At this stage, this assessment is not a diagnosis conducted according to psychological tests. Instead, it is a general assessment of the underlying forces that influence the patient in relation to significant relationships and past and present life experiences.

This assessment explores the patient’s support systems and the challenges they face. It also examines the patient’s demographic and socio-economic background, significant relationships, their occupational or educational status, etc.

It is important to note that the key indication for the existence of a mental disorder is a functional impairment. Therefore, the interviewer explores the patient’s daily functioning in various areas, including their psychological, social, educational, and occupational functioning.

Please note

Please note

If the patient is a minor, the examination and the interview are conducted with the parents’ consent. A session and interview are conducted with the parents, during which they are interviewed without the minor present.

Summary of the evaluation process

At the end of the evaluation process, the evaluator will explain the outcome to you, including the diagnosis or main concern, as well as the recommendations for the type of treatment and the appropriate treatment setting. The recommendation may involve multiple treatment options, such as a multidisciplinary approach in a clinic or crisis stabilization home or various types of personally customized therapies.

Please note: The interviewer may request additional medical examinations and some documents from previous treatment parties before reaching a summarized diagnosis. The written summary of the intake is recorded in the patient’s medical file.

Who is authorized to conduct a mental health intake

An intake is typically conducted by a senior mental healthcare professional with experience in one of the fields of mental health. In many cases, an intake will also consist of a psychiatric assessment and include several mental healthcare professionals. It is important to note that the initial therapy session will also include an additional intake. This more comprehensive intake will focus on identifying the type of therapy and its objectives. It will establish the therapeutic connection between the therapist and the patient.

Further information that may be of interest