Dr. Miriam Thompson, Director of the Mind and Behavior Assessment Clinic
Let’s face it, the word “assessment” can feel a bit chilling. Who doesn’t want to be assessed as doing well? But, of course, assessment isn’t just a good-bad, yes-no thing. And getting beyond such binary thinking is at the heart of the Department of Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology’s Mind and Behavior Assessment Clinic (MBAC). The MBAC, until this year known as the Psychology Assessment Clinic, was recently renamed to illustrate the connection between the human mind and behavior.
The clinic’s director, Assistant Teaching Professor Miriam Thompson, further explains, “Although scholars in the field of psychology have discovered such fascinating, unusual mental phenomena (like, why do we dream?), there still remains a cloak of mystery around the human mind. Furthermore, since we cannot fully translate the abstraction that takes place in our mind, we are left to make judgments about human behavior, which in essence is an observable mental product.” Thompson and her team of doctoral students hope to demystify and redefine the assessment process at the MBAC. She says, “We want it to be fun, inviting, collaborative, empowering, and engaging for the referred individual!”
We recently caught up with Thompson to learn more about the Clinic, her initial interest in this work, and how it fits into the larger picture of the School.
GGSE: How did you get interested in this field?
Thompson: Strangely enough, as a child, I was frequently on the other side of the examiner's table; I was assessed repeatedly as I had learning challenges as a child. I underwent repeated neuropsychological and psychoeducational assessments to figure why I had such challenges learning. Later, it was discovered that I had auditory processing challenges (difficulty filtering verbal information in the environment) and a learning disability (reading comprehension and math). I was fortunate enough to receive the academic accommodations that I needed to be successful. Since then, I have always been so curious.
GGSE: What would an assessment be like, if someone had one at the center?
Thompson: All individuals who have been referred for assessments at the MBAC are able to be seen in-person (following a COVID screening). In fact, we have already assessed two individuals! On the day of the assessment, we greet the referred individual at the front of Hosford (where the MBAC is located) and invite them inside the building. All GSCs (graduate student clinicians) conduct the assessments from start to finish, although I am there initially, to introduce myself as the Director and take their temperature with our touchless thermometer. Following, the GSCs explain to them, with user-friendly terms, the sorts of activities that they can expect to complete throughout their session. Our goal is to place the patient at ease and empower them.
GGSE: Once a client has had an assessment, what happens next?
Thompson: Following an assessment, we provide the patients our expected timeline of to complete the report. Assessment report writing can be a long process (4-6 weeks) because we are focused on a well-written, high-quality report that accurately conceptualizes the patient's presenting concern. Furthermore, we want to generate an accurate diagnosis (if one is necessary).
GGSE: The MBAC also serves as a training clinic for students in the Department of Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology. Why is such training important? What's the process like?
Thompson: Yes, we are a training clinic! Assessment training is important because it is so nuanced and some assessments used are detailed and rigid in administration (little room for error). In order to master assessment administration, graduate students need hands-on training with explicit guidance, time for repetition, and even a space to make mistakes!
Honestly, learning how to administer assessments can be so intimidating because it's challenging and there is a shroud of mystery behind it. I, however, am trying to change that narrative. Many psychology graduate students are intimidated by the assessment administration process and they fear making mistakes. I am helping the GSCs to embrace their mistakes as long as they learn from them. In terms of the assessment training process, all MBAC GSCs meet with the Director for individualized training sessions where they are able to practice assessment administration. Learning new assessments requires hours of training, but once the assessment is mastered, the GSCs are prepared to administer it.