A thorough multimodal assessment at the outset was essential to identify the full range of Jane’s problems and determine specific treatment goals. An understanding of problem maintenance and factors contributing to client vulnerability, e.g. values, belief systems,was required to enable informed clinical decisions and prioritization of treatment goals.
A broad opening question Tell me what is troubling you? Was asked. The therapist was alert for dysfunction across Jane’s BASIC I.D. information gaps were completed with focused questioning about Jane’s behaviour, affect, sensations, imagery, cognitions, interpersonal relationships and health issues. Additionally, the therapist was alert to signs of psychosis, organicity or suicide and the need for a judicious psychiatric or physician referral (Lazarus, 1989)