Which of the following is a core step in the screening process?

Which of the following is a core step in the screening process?

• A. Interview the Client
• B. Provide Ongoing Therapy
• C. Issue a Prescription
• D. Schedule a Vacation

Answer: (A)

In screening, gathering information directly from the client is the main method for quickly determining whether there is a problem and what level of care might be needed. Interviewing the client provides essential details about substance use history, health concerns, social factors, safety risks, and readiness to change. This direct conversation helps the counselor assess the severity, identify immediate needs, and decide if a full assessment or urgent referral is necessary, all while building rapport and trust that encourage honest sharing. The other options fall into later stages or outside the screening process. Providing ongoing therapy is part of treatment, not initial screening. Issuing a prescription is a medical action that requires medical evaluation and authorization. Scheduling a vacation has no relevance to assessing whether a client needs services.

In screening, gathering information directly from the client is the main method for quickly determining whether there is a problem and what level of care might be needed. Interviewing the client provides essential details about substance use history, health concerns, social factors, safety risks, and readiness to change. This direct conversation helps the counselor assess the severity, identify immediate needs, and decide if a full assessment or urgent referral is necessary, all while building rapport and trust that encourage honest sharing.

The other options fall into later stages or outside the screening process. Providing ongoing therapy is part of treatment, not initial screening. Issuing a prescription is a medical action that requires medical evaluation and authorization. Scheduling a vacation has no relevance to assessing whether a client needs services.