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Evaluations of Licensed Professionals
 

The primary focus of Practical Recovery is treatment for substance and activity addictions and co-occurring conditions. However, we also conduct evaluations for outside parties (such as a licensing board or diversion program). Although in the course of treatment planning every client is thoroughly evaluated, we only produce a written report when the client requests a report for an outside party.  For self-referred clients a report is typically not needed, and an unnecessary expense.

We work regularly with licensed professionals, especially physicians, lawyers and nurses.  Dr. Horvath has testified before one state medical board, and Practical Recovery has sent letters or reports to several state medical boards or their diversion programs.

When evaluating a licensed professional for an outside party, our core evaluation is conducted by a forensic psychologist, a clinical psychologist, and a psychiatrist, and includes psychological testing and testing for substances of abuse.  Depending on the needs of the case, we can include a physical evaluation (with laboratory studies if needed), an addiction medicine evaluation, or evaluation by a chemical dependency counselor (CDAC) or other suitable professional.

Once we have reviewed the individual’s records we will determine which evaluations need to be completed or updated. The records may be thorough enough and recent enough that we will simply reference them in our report. We encourage the sending of all available records, preferably two weeks prior to the arrival of the client.

Our evaluation addresses all aspects of the client’s functioning, including cognitive issues (e.g., negative automatic thoughts and maladaptive beliefs), emotional and behavioral issues (e.g., addictive behaviors, dysfunctional coping skills, and social behavior), and ultimate values and beliefs (e.g., spirituality), as is typical for a comprehensive psychological evaluation, as well as physical health and addiction medicine issues as needed.

We also conduct and document collateral interviews, in person where possible, and otherwise by phone, with all parties we are informed about.   We can place the client in a sober living or residential treatment setting, or the client can stay elsewhere, depending on the needs of the referral source.

When we write a report for an outside party we address, to the extent we are able, all questions posed to us. For instance, if we are asked for a five axis DSM-IV-TR diagnosis and treatment recommendations, we will provide them.  It requires up to a week after the client leaves for the final report to be available.

In order for us to schedule an evaluation, which typically takes place over three to five days, we need an arrival date for records, and a deposit of $5,000. Evaluations conducted while the client is an outpatient or residing in our sober living home typically range in cost from $5,000 to $10,000. If the client admits to our residential treatment facility the additional cost is approximately $5,000.