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Mental Health Screening Tools
Mental health screening tools are brief, evidence-based questionnaires used in clinical settings to better understand emotional, behavioral, and psychological symptoms. They help guide conversation, clarify areas of concern, and support a more complete understanding of a person’s mental health. Below are links to common assessment tools I use in practice.
Depression
PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9)
Identifies symptoms of depression such as low mood, loss of interest, sleep changes, and fatigue, and measures severity.
PHQ-2
A brief two-question screen for core depression symptoms, often used before more in-depth assessment.
Anxiety
GAD-7 (Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale)
Looks at symptoms such as excessive worry, restlessness, irritability, and difficulty relaxing.
Trauma / PTSD
PCL-5 (PTSD Checklist for DSM-5)
Assesses symptoms such as intrusive memories, avoidance, mood changes, and hypervigilance.
Suicidality
Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)
A structured assessment of the presence, severity, and immediacy of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
Substance Use
AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test)
Screens for alcohol use patterns and potential alcohol-related risk or harm.
DAST-10 (Drug Abuse Screening Test)
Assesses the impact of drug use on functioning and identifies potential substance-related concerns.
ASSIST (Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test)
A broader screening tool assessing risk across multiple substances.
OCD
Y-BOCS (Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale)
Measures the severity of obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors.
Bipolar Disorder
MDQ (Mood Disorder Questionnaire)
Looks for patterns of elevated mood, energy, impulsivity, and mood cycling associated with bipolar spectrum conditions.
ADHD (Adults)
ASRS v1.1 (Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale)
Screens for attention, focus, organization, and impulsivity concerns in adults.
Additional Helpful Screeners
PHQ-15 (Somatic Symptom Scale)
Screens for physical symptoms that may be related to stress, anxiety, or emotional distress.
WHO-5 Well-Being Index
A short measure of overall emotional well-being and quality of life.
ACE Questionnaire (Adverse Childhood Experiences)
Assesses exposure to early life adversity that may impact long-term health and mental health outcomes.
What These Screening Scores Do (and Do Not) Mean
| What They DO Mean | What They DON’T Mean |
|---|---|
| They provide a snapshot of current symptoms or experiences | They are not a diagnosis on their own |
| They help identify patterns that may be affecting daily functioning | They do not define a person’s identity or “level of brokenness” |
| They support clinicians in deciding what areas to explore further | They cannot fully capture the complexity of someone’s lived experience |
| They can track changes over time in response to treatment or support | They do not replace a full clinical assessment, conversation, or context |
| They help guide a shared understanding of what someone is experiencing | A high score does not automatically mean a specific disorder is present |
Helplines:
For a life-threatening emergency : 911
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (Call or Text) : 988
Washington Recovery Help Line : 1-866-789-1511
King County Crisis Line : 1-866-427-4747
NAMI HelpLine : 1-800-950-6264
Crisis Text Line : Text START to 741741
The Trevor Project : 1-866-488-7386
Trans Lifeline : 1-877-565-8860
National Alliance for Eating Disorders : 1-866-662-1235
National Domestic Violence Hotline : 1-800-799-7233
LGBT National Help Center : (888) 843-4564
SAMHSA National Helpline : 1-800-662-4357
WA Graduate School Clinics: Antioch University, Bastyr Center, CityU
Group Private Practice Interns: an intern is actively in a Masters level education program who is building their clinical experience supervised by a licensed therapist.
Find an Affirming Therapist
BIPOC Therapist / Culturally Responsive Therapist
LGBTQIA+ Affirming Therapist
Weight-Inclusive / Fat-Affirming Therapist
Neurodivergent-Affirming Therapist
Support Groups
Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy & Integration Resources
Psychedelic-assisted therapies can be a meaningful part of some people’s healing journeys when approached with preparation, intention, safety, and appropriate support. I believe in a harm reduction and trauma-informed approach, which includes helping individuals prepare for experiences, process insights afterward, and integrate meaningful changes into daily life. Below are resources I have worked with in this area.
