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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
- Microsoft Word – PHQ9.doc
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. - ACES 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 |
Mutual Support and Recovery Communities
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
Call or text: 800-484-3731 or 877-696-1996.
Regional Mental Health & Substance Use Resources
Mutual Support & Recovery Communities
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 Affirming Care
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.
