The best way to imagine this is a visit to your doctor. You would fill out “intake paperwork” and probably go have blood drawn. This is so the doctor can get an overall view of your reported symptoms and then look at the results of the blood work to make determinations.
The “intake paperwork” component you complete online. What I do afterwards is the “blood work” component. This evaluation asks questions to provide me with a biological, psychological, and social picture to better understand you (both in a historical and current view).
The “blood work” consists of a two part evaluation and risk analysis. The first is the clinical component and the second is the forensic component. I then take all this information and do an analysis of your response and a variety of assessments. These assessments include some of the following:
- Zung Self Rating Anxiety Scale
- Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A)
- Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI)
- SPIN (Social Phobia Inventory)
- Global Assessment of Functioning
- WHODAS 2.0
- Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale
- PCL-5
- Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)
- PHQ-9
- CSSRS and SAFE-T
- Vanderbuilt
- ASRS-Autism Spectrum Rating Scale
- Brief 2
- MASC 2
- SCL-90-R Symptom Checklist -90-R
- MEIQ- Multidimensional Emotional IQ Assessment
Dependent upon these results will determine if there needs to be a Full Scale IQ test administered and if an adaptive behavioral assessment needs to be completed. There are additional evaluations/ assessments that are used depending on what we are looking at.
These assessments have research validity and reliability. It is then determined if a person has a diagnosis based on these evaluations and the DSM-5. However, a diagnosis alone is not enough. Then comes the forensic component of the “blood work.”
The forensic component takes the results from above and determines if they meet the definition of a disability under FHA or ADA. Just because a person has a clinical diagnosis does not mean they meet the threshold of a disability under FHA or ADA. If “the blood work” comes back showing a patient meets the clinical component and the forensic component, a risk analysis is conducted.
This risk assessment is very similar to the one mentioned by Human Animal Interventions in Counseling. Part of HABRI certification talks about the mental health and well being of the animal in addition to the person. Is the person’s mental health so severe that it negatively impacts the animal’s well being? Are there signs that show financial inability to care for the animal? This is one of the reasons I ask what prompted you in looking now. If somebody says it is because the pet rent is too much or I cant afford the deposit, then these are flags for me that maybe they do not have the financial ability to medically care for the animal. This lack of care for the animal can actually cause problems to the human’s mental health. These risks include the above mentioned dual relationship as well. It is always recommend that patients continue or pursue counseling in addition to exploring the possibility of medication if needed.
These evaluations are not “one and done.” I require all my patients to undergo an annual full scale evaluation again. This evaluation includes everything mentioned above.
Many people call this a “renewal.” I disagree with that term because it implies it is a membership they are renewing. My forensic evaluations need to be viewed as a prescription. The “letters” that my patients receive need to be viewed as a medical prescription letter of recommendation for a medical device. Yes, your dog or cat is considered a medical device at this point. You have a medical/ psychiatric condition and it is partially being treated by your dog or cat. This makes it a medical device.
As with any prescription, at a minimum you need to check back with your medical provider annually. Any prescription is not an open ended prescription that never expires. Technically under the law I have never seen anything that says the “letters” expire but good medical/ psychological care dictates that it does.”
Unlike some other organizations, there is no “money back guarantee if not approved.” A forensic evaluation is not an approval process and should not be viewed as one. Spend the time to educate yourself regarding Emotional Support Animals and Psychiatric Service Dogs prior to completing the “intake paperwork” and making an appointment.
