Definitions of Mental Health Services - Part 1

Navigating the landscape of mental health services can be overwhelming, especially when you're unsure what each service entails. This section aims to demystify the various mental health services available, from adoption to art therapy, and help you understand what each offers.

Definitions - Part 1 Adoption to Assessment (Medico-Legal) | Part 2 Assessment (Neuropsychological) to Counselling (Spiritual) | Part 3 Counselling (Stroke) to Youth Development

Definitions of Mental Health Services - Part 1

Content

• Adoption
• Advocacy
• Art Therapy
• Assessment (Medico-Legal)

Adoption

Includes services relevant to taking custody of a non-biological child as if it were one's own. This might include placement, screening, follow-up or preparatory counselling and psychotherapy.

Advocacy

This refers to a range of possible legal services and may include psychotherapists or other professionals assuming an advocacy role in a court of law; e.g. a psychotherapist may testify on a child's behalf on matters related to well-being. Advocacy may also refer to services promoting public awareness and human rights issues surrounding mental health.

Art Therapy

A form of psychotherapy that uses free self-expression through painting, drawing or sculpting. The creative process and the resulting artwork express and explore feelings and address emotional issues.

Assessment (Children)

Psychologists and psychometrists use assessments in educational and psychological settings to accomplish a range of objectives and direct therapy.

Assessment (Custody)

The investigations into all aspects of a child's life (parental functioning, home, family environment and background), that are used to help determine child custody and access during opposed divorce proceedings.

Assessment (Developmental)

Investigating a child's intellectual, emotional and developmental competencies and resources. Used to inform the caregiving and learning environments that would likely help a child achieve his or her developmental potential.

Assessment (Disability)

The investigation into the accurate evaluation of the impact of disability status on all aspects of the patient's life, including financial remuneration, personal and workplace productivity, and access to existing and future healthcare needs.

Assessment (Forensic)

The investigation into the mental and psychological state of a defendant, witness or offender to inform the court for use as evidence.

Assessment (General)
The systematic investigation of a person's behavioural, emotional or intellectual functioning.

Assessment (Intellectual)
The investigation into the general intellectual functioning and cognitive abilities of an individual.

Assessment (Medico-Legal)
Assessments that are done independently from the plaintiff or defendant in a court case that impacts on matters relating to public liability and workers' compensation in the common law.

Definitions - Part 1 Adoption to Assessment (Medico-Legal) | Part 2 Assessment (Neuropsychological) to Counselling (Spiritual) | Part 3 Counselling (Stroke) to Youth Development