Biopsychosocial assessments help health professionals assess what biological, psychological and social factors could be impacting their client’s health.
These assessments are based on the biopsychosocial modelproposed by Dr. George Engel in 1977. According to Engel's model, a person's body and mind are not separate entities. In other words, a person's biological, social and psychological states all intertwine and impact their well-being.
For example, if a patient experiences a physical illness while lacking social support, they may become depressed or anxious. Similarly, if a person has depression, they might withdraw from their friends and family and neglect self-care, impacting their physical and social wellness.
Mental health professionals recognize the need to view clients holistically and consider how various aspects of a person's life might contribute to a mental health issue, impair functioning or maintain a disorder.
A biopsychosocial assessment helps counselors, social workers, and other behavioral health professionals learn about their clients on multiple levels and better understand their subjective viewpoints. As a result, biopsychosocial assessments enable therapists to diagnose and effectively treat their clients.
Mental health professionals typically conduct a biopsychosocial assessment aspart of the initial assessment with clients. If you would like to use biopsychosocial assessments to learn more about your clients, we have information to help you get started. In this post, we'll explore the components of a biopsychosocial assessment, questions to ask clients, and how to write a report.
- What Is Included in a Biopsychosocial Assessment
- How to Write a Biopsychosocial Assessment as a Mental Health Professional
- Tips to Remember When Writing a Biopsychosocial Assessment
- Using Technology to Reduce Your Documentation Burden
