Multi-informant Adult and Couple Assessment

Assessment is an essential component of psychotherapy, and can be used for many purposes, including psychodiagnostic assessment, to inform case conceptualization, to plan for treatment, and to monitor the therapy process. The use of multiple informants (or “collaterals”) can give richness and important context to the assessment process. While multi-informant assessment is used frequently for some conditions and purposes (e.g., psychosis, forensic cases), it is rarely used in general practice. This chapter discusses the value and logistics of choosing multi-informant assessment practices. Methods of assessment, including integrating self, collateral, and clinician reports, and using behavioral and observational methods, are discussed. Assessment domains and discrepant reporting between sources are explored. Ethical considerations and clinical considerations for diverse identities are highlighted. Finally, the case for multi-informant assessment is then described through a case vignette spanning diagnostic clarification and treatment planning.