Assessment and Diagnosis The purpose of this article is to provide a synopsis of the importance of assessment and diagnosis in the counseling process. In the first two sections, the roles of assessment and diagnosis will be explored in relation to case conceptualization and treatment planning. The potential implications of a misdiagnosis will be the focus of the final section. Assessment Knowing a potential client's history, personality, and current concerns is necessary to lay the foundation for counseling interventions. This information gathering phase is called evaluation (Mears, 2010). While some mental health professionals will use an interview as the primary assessment tool, others will use symptom tests or checklists to collect relevant data (Mears, 2010). It is important that the consultant is thorough in this process, regardless of how the information is collected. A comprehensive review of the information gained in the assessment leads to the conceptualization of the case. Mears (2010) refers to this process as “how professional counselors derive meaning from the information they have gathered” (p. 282). Effective case conceptualization depends on the assessment, as well as the counselor's skill and attention in processing that information. Other factors that influence case conceptualization include the counselor's theoretical basis and cultural considerations related to client concerns (Mears, 2010). Case assessment and conceptualization are critical in guiding a counselor in creating a treatment plan. The treatment plan outlines specific goals and interventions that will guide the counseling process (Mears, 2010). An example would be a client's... half of the document......ed and any changes in the client's complaints during the process. These developments must continually be taken into account in case conceptualization, diagnosis and treatment planning. References Braun, S. A., & Cox, J. A. (2005). Managed mental health care: Intentional misdiagnosis of mental disorders. Journal of Consulting and Development, 83(4), 425-433. Buffford, R. K. (2008). Case studies. Journal of Psychology & Christianity, 27 (1), 66-72. Mead, M. A., Hohenshil, T. H., & Singh, K. (1997). How the DSM system is used by clinical counselors: A national study. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 19(4), 383.Mears, G. (2010). Assessment, case conceptualization, diagnosis and treatment planning. In B. T. Erford (Ed.), Orientations to the counseling profession: Advocacy, ethics and essential professional foundations (pp.269-297). New Jersey: Pearson.