Which is a responsibility during diagnosis?

• A. Partners with clients to clarify their statements used to express needs, concerns, strengths, and/or opportunities for change.
• B. Writes a generic plan without client input.
• C. Avoids clarifying client statements.
• D. Uses clinician-defined terms exclusively.

Answer: (A)

During diagnosis, the main responsibility is to partner with clients to clarify their statements used to express needs, concerns, strengths, and opportunities for change. This collaborative clarification ensures you accurately understand what the client is communicating, captures their priorities, and aligns the next steps with what matters most to them. It builds trust and helps ensure the assessment reflects the client’s own words and goals.

Writing a generic plan without client input misses the individual context and may lead to goals that don’t fit the person’s reality or motivations. Avoiding clarification can cause misinterpretation of what the client needs, and using clinician-defined terms exclusively excludes the client’s perspective, hindering communication and engagement.