Medical / Health Pre-Surgical Evaluations

Why do I need a mental health evaluation before my doctor will do treatment?

Your doctor has referred you to a psychologist to be evaluated, before they will do treatment. What does your mental health have to do with your medical care? Why is this anybody’s business?

I understand the frustration of being required to do “one more thing” before you can proceed with your treatment and / or medical care.

Many times, individuals have never been in mental health treatment and are required to do an evaluation anyway. This can cause you to feel stressed or worried or even frustrated.

I’m here to understand your situation help you through the process.

Individuals who have received mental health care previously may be concerned that previous care or diagnosis will somehow limit the treatment options.

This is usually not the case. I would like to understand where you were and where you are now. People evolve, change, learn and grow.

Situations change as well. I want to understand your progression and where you are today.

How will physicians know the best course of treatment, if they don’t fully understand your needs?

We know the brain and body are connected, and very often, the things that happen to our body also affect our mental health.

Often, physicians seek to ensure quality of care and recovery by ensuring their patients are as ready as possible for the medical procedure. We seek to ensure patients understand the mental shift required to follow-through with recommendations and even lifestyle changes.

I have the amazing opportunity to understand you at this time in your life. Pre-surgical or pre-treatment evaluations can help determine readiness, risk-factors as well as recommendations to assist in the treatment process.

With so much riding on this, you need someone you can trust.

After meeting with thousands of individuals, in all different phases of life, I understand each person’s unique needs and opportunities to gain the most success from their treatments.

Too many times I have met new patients who thought they were working with the right professional to conduct a required evaluation, only to discover the professional didn’t fully understand what was needed.

Make sure you get the right care for you.

Medical pre-surgical and pre-treatment psychological evaluations require more than a basic “interview” and a signature on a form.

These evaluations are thoughtful with regard to the individual and their circumstances as well as their goals.

They require a combination of an interview, formal assessment procedures, an examiner’s understanding of risk-factors and concerns as well as the ability for the examiner to make appropriate individualized recommendations.

I get it.

I understand the reasons as to why insurance companies require evaluations.

I understand the rationale for medical providers requesting evaluations.

Because I understand, I am also able to write my reports in a format that will help you and your treatment team get the most out of the process.

Bring all those “WHAT-IFS” to me.

Let’s see what we can do to help increase the positive outcome of your medical care.

I can offer you my time, expertise, and compassion when you take the next step and give me a call.

If in Colorado, call me at: 719-344-8779, in Utah: 801-819-8719