Assessment and Case Conceptualization

Abstract Evidence-based assessment and case conceptualization are two important components of evidence-based practice. Using assessment data gathered over the course of treatment to inform case conceptualization helps clinicians tailor evidence-based treatments to meet the needs of individual children and adolescents. The main goal of this chapter is to describe and illustrate the roles evidence-based assessment and case conceptualization play in informing the process of psychosocial treatment for children and adolescents from the initial intake through termination. a framework guided by six principles for using assessment to inform the treatment process is presented. Then, how this framework can be used to develop and refine a science-informed case conceptualization through a series of five sequential stages is discussed. This process is illustrated with a case example. The chapter concludes with future research directions for assessment and case conceptualization to better inform evidence-based practice.