Assessment

Using Assessment in Nature-Based Therapy to Meet Client Needs

Our clinical approach emphasizes developing an accurate and individualized understanding of each client, including their history, family system, current functioning, and treatment needs. As part of the admissions and treatment planning process, each client completes a Comprehensive Diagnostic Assessment (CDA/Biopsychosocial Assessment) with their therapist. This assessment helps establish diagnoses, identify areas of strength and concern, and serves as the foundation for the individualized treatment plan. The process is an essential component of quality clinical care and supports licensing, accreditation, and insurance requirements.
 
When available, we also review prior psychological assessments and integrate those findings into treatment planning. If a comprehensive psychological evaluation has not been completed, our treatment team collaborates with the client and family to determine whether bringing in an outside provider for a full psychological assessment would be beneficial.
 
Throughout treatment, therapists and the treatment team continuously evaluate progress, monitor effectiveness, and adjust interventions based on the client’s evolving needs. This structured clinical process helps ensure that treatment remains intentional, individualized, and aligned with each client’s goals and long-term progress.

This clinical approach became the standard for outdoor, nature-based therapy and began to move the field from helpful excursions in the outback to the research-supported, effective treatment option it is today. As the field developed, we found that not every client needed a full psychological evaluation, but many did. Many clients are misdiagnosed, or come in with a plethora of labels that may or may not fit. For example, severe substance abuse clients are actually struggling with undisclosed trauma and must have a more in depth assessment in order to get the help they need. So assessment is essential in the process of treatment.