LMHC Intake, Assessment, and Diagnosis 2

Question 1

A client presents with a 2-week history of depressed mood, anhedonia, significant weight loss, insomnia, and feelings of worthlessness. Which DSM-5 diagnosis is MOST appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Major Depressive Disorder

Answer

Major Depressive Disorder requires 5+ symptoms including depressed mood or anhedonia lasting at least 2 weeks, which this client meets.

Question 2

During the intake interview, a client discloses that they recently lost their job and are struggling financially. The BEST way to document this information is under which assessment domain?

Accepted Answer

Psychological stressors and support systems

Answer

Financial stress and job loss are psychosocial stressors captured under the social history and stressors domain of a biopsychosocial assessment.

Question 3

Which structured clinical interview is widely considered the gold standard for establishing DSM-5 diagnoses in research and clinical settings?

Accepted Answer

Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5)

Answer

The SCID-5 is a semi-structured interview designed to yield reliable DSM-5 diagnoses and is considered the gold standard diagnostic tool.

Question 4

A counselor is assessing a 16-year-old client who reports using alcohol on weekends but denies it causes problems. What is the MOST appropriate next step?

Accepted Answer

Administer a validated adolescent substance use screening tool such as the CRAFFT

Answer

The CRAFFT is a validated screening tool for adolescent substance use that goes beyond self-report to identify risk and problem patterns.

Question 5

A client scores 15 on the PHQ-9. What level of depression severity does this indicate?

Accepted Answer

Moderately severe depression

Answer

PHQ-9 scores of 15–19 indicate moderately severe depression, guiding treatment planning decisions.

(LMHC) Licensed Mental Health Counselor Certification Practice Test

(LMHC) Licensed Mental Health Counselor Certification Practice Test

LMHC Intake, Assessment, and Diagnosis 2