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Mental Health Assessment

Avigal Milson Dagan, Clinical psychologist and supervisor, National Psychology Lead, Ministry of Health;  Dr. Rachel Mordakhovich, Clinical psychologist and supervisor, Head of Psychological Assessment in the Psychiatric Division, Ichilov Hospital
7 September 2026

Mental health treatment interventions are based on professional assessment and evaluation processes designed to understand a person's mental and functional state and develop personalized recommendations. Assessment is the starting point for identifying difficulties, understanding their causes, and determining appropriate treatment. It can be focused or comprehensive, depending on the need.

Psychiatric and psychological assessments

Psychiatric assessment, performed by physicians specializing in psychiatry, is a medical assessment designed to determine whether a mental health disorder is present and how severe it is, and to evaluate the need for medication alongside other interventions.

Psychological assessment, performed by psychologists specializing in various fields, provides a broad and in-depth picture of a person's inner world, functioning, strengths, and difficulties, and leads to personalized treatment recommendations.

In some cases, a combined assessment may be performed.

Assessment tools and types of assessments

The assessment process uses interviews, psychological tests, questionnaires, and observations selected according to the person's age and reason for referral. There are various types of assessments, including psychodiagnostic, neuropsychological and rehabilitation, developmental, psychoeducational, and vocational assessments. Each is designed to address different questions.

Choosing an assessment

An assessment can be performed at any age and is tailored to the person's abilities and stage of life. Professionals can help distinguish between a temporary difficulty and a condition that requires an in-depth assessment. Seeking help early may prevent the condition from worsening.

Referral for an assessment

A referral can be obtained from physicians and professionals in the fields of health care, education, and social services.

People can also seek an assessment on their own if and when they feel a need to better understand or explore the difficulties and problems they are facing.

Treatment interventions begin with or are supported by diagnostic and assessment processes designed to determine a person's mental health status, identify the characteristics of their difficulties, and develop recommendations. The diagnostic process is tailored to the individual and may be focused or broad and comprehensive. If you or someone close to you is experiencing mental health difficulties, an assessment by a qualified and skilled professional is the first step toward finding a solution.

In this article, we will describe the types of assessments and their purposes, the assessment process and the tools used, and explain how to determine which type of assessment is appropriate. You do not have to deal with this alone – if needed, it is important to seek an appropriate assessment. Before any assessment, there will be an evaluation meeting called an intake, which is covered by the health services basket.

Mental Health Assessment

It can be conducted by a psychologist or psychiatrist as a standalone assessment, or as an assessment that combines both. In complex mental health conditions, functional, occupational, or other assessments and evaluations may also be needed. These may be conducted by psychologists specializing in specific fields, as well as other health professionals, such as occupational therapists. The assessments required will depend on the findings and the recommendations of the assessment team.

Psychiatric assessment

Psychiatric assessment for people of all ages is performed by physicians specializing in psychiatry. It may take place in a single session lasting between one and several hours, or over several sessions, at the end of which a psychiatric diagnosis and appropriate recommendations are provided.

  • Purpose of the Psychiatric Assessment

    To determine whether the person has a mental health disorder and its severity, and to recommend an appropriate intervention. This may include psychiatric treatment, with or without medication, and other treatments as needed. In some cases, the person may also be referred for a psychological assessment to gain a deeper understanding of their condition.

  • Assessment Tools

    The psychiatric assessment is based on a clinical interview that examines the reason for referral, the course of the illness, mental status (a structured examination designed to assess mental health across defined areas), psychosocial factors, and level of functioning. The person's physical health is also assessed, including physical symptoms or illnesses, allergies, regular medications, and a physical examination, as well as referrals for blood tests, an ECG, and imaging as needed.

Psychological assessment

Psychological assessment for people of all ages is conducted by psychologists in various areas of specialization: clinical, rehabilitation, developmental, educational, occupational, and medical psychology. It covers mental health, functioning, and behavior.

The process usually takes several sessions and includes an interview and the use of psychological assessment tools, which help provide a deeper understanding of the person's inner world and inform appropriate recommendations.

  • Goals of psychological assessment

    1. Assessing mental health: To assess the person's mental health, including their abilities and various characteristics in cognitive, emotional, developmental, social, and behavioral areas. The goal is to provide a diagnosis and a broad, in-depth psychological picture in relation to the reason for referral.
    2. Identifying strengths and resources: The assessment helps identify and understand strengths and resources, difficulties, disorders or psychological needs and their sources, the person's attitudes toward themselves and others, coping mechanisms, and internal attitudes that affect how they navigate and function in the world. The goal is to develop recommendations, including an appropriate intervention plan, and determine the settings in which it will be implemented.
      If and when necessary, a referral is also made for psychiatric assessment and intervention.

  • Assessment tools

    The assessment always includes several tools: an interview, psychological tests, questionnaires, and observations. These tools are selected according to the reason for referral, the difficulties presented, and the person's age. The psychologists conducting the assessment use some or all of these tools at their discretion in order to provide the best possible answer to the question being assessed.

What Psychological Tests Mean

These are tests administered by psychologists, but they are not knowledge tests as we are accustomed to, and there is no need to achieve a particular score or result. Like a medical examination, the purpose of the assessment is to provide a picture of the person's psychological (emotional and cognitive) state at the time of the assessment. Psychologists use a variety of diagnostic tools, each designed to assess a different dimension using different methods, including self-reporting, external sources of information, a range of tasks, and computerized tools.

Common Types of Psychological Assessments

Designed, among other things, to provide an in-depth assessment of personality, cognitive and behavioral aspects, emotional functioning, and the person's inner world. The assessment includes specific areas such as diagnosing attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other communication disorders. This assessment is included in the health basket. Receiving the service requires a clear clinical need and a referral from a healthcare professional.

The assessment is performed by: usually a clinical psychologist specializing in mental health.

Evaluates functioning, specifically brain functions and their relationship to cognitive, learning, behavioral, and emotional processes. It is used mainly following head injuries, neurological diseases, or as part of rehabilitation, including to help determine appropriate interventions and maximize the person's functional potential. This assessment is included in the health basket. Receiving the service requires a clear clinical need and a referral from a healthcare professional.

The assessment is performed by: usually a rehabilitation psychologist.

Evaluates developmental delays in children and identifies difficulties and their causes, including emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and language development. The assessment includes, among other things, diagnosing autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and regulation disorders in children. This assessment is included in the health basket. Receiving the service requires a clear clinical need and a referral from a healthcare professional.

The assessment is performed by: usually a developmental psychologist.

Focuses on evaluating a person's learning abilities and determining whether there are learning difficulties (learning disabilities) and whether they result from or are related to emotional or cognitive difficulties. The findings are used to tailor educational, learning, and therapeutic interventions. This assessment is not included in the health basket.

The assessment is performed by: usually an educational psychologist.

Designed to evaluate a person's abilities in the area of employment and their integration into the workplace. Among other things, it is used for organizational and individual needs, including job placement in situations involving health and illness. This assessment is not included in the health basket.

The assessment is performed by: usually an occupational-organizational psychologist.

Choosing the Right Type of Assessment: Psychological or Psychiatric

A psychiatric assessment is a medical assessment in the field of mental health that, in addition to providing a diagnosis, is intended to evaluate the need for medication. Therefore, whenever medication is being considered or there is a question about whether medication is appropriate for a mental health difficulty or emotional distress, a psychiatric assessment will always be conducted.

There are various types of psychological assessments, as described here. It is therefore recommended to consult a professional, usually a psychologist with expertise and experience in professional assessments.

 

Good to Know

Good to Know

An assessment can be conducted at any age and is adapted to the age, condition, and abilities of the person being assessed. For children, the sessions and assessment tools are adapted to the child's age and condition, for example, by adjusting the length of each session. For toddlers, the assessment is conducted with the parents and uses tools and methods appropriate for early childhood. It is important to note that there are specific assessment tools for different ages and for evaluating the abilities expected at each age. This also applies to older adults, particularly during the various stages of aging.

Distinguishing Between a Temporary Difficulty and a Condition That Requires Professional Assessment

Professionals, particularly psychologists and psychiatrists, can assess the severity of current and ongoing difficulties and determine whether an assessment is needed. Sometimes even a temporary difficulty requires an assessment to understand why significant distress or difficulty affecting daily functioning has developed. This can help prevent the condition from worsening and help prevent similar situations in the future. It is better to seek an assessment early and receive a comprehensive professional explanation than to wait until the condition worsens or becomes an urgent emergency.

Referral for a Psychiatric or Psychological Assessment

A referral for an assessment can be provided by physicians in various fields, psychiatrists, psychologists, and other health, education, and social services professionals.

In addition, anyone can seek an assessment on their own if needed.

Mental Health Hotlines of the HMOs

Distinguishing Between a Temporary Difficulty and a Condition That Requires Professional Assessment

Professionals, particularly psychologists and psychiatrists, can assess the severity of current and ongoing difficulties and determine whether an assessment is needed. Sometimes even a temporary difficulty requires an assessment to understand why significant distress or difficulty affecting daily functioning has developed. This can help prevent the condition from worsening and help prevent similar situations in the future. It is better to seek an assessment early and receive a comprehensive professional explanation than to wait until the condition worsens or becomes an urgent emergency.

Referral for a Psychiatric or Psychological Assessment

A referral for an assessment can be provided by physicians in various fields, psychiatrists, psychologists, and other health, education, and social services professionals.

In addition, anyone can seek an assessment on their own if needed.