At OASIS Ascent, we believe that healing starts with understanding, and that begins with a comprehensive mental health assessment. This isn’t just a checklist or a one-time screening. It’s a collaborative, in-depth process that gives us, and you, a clearer picture of what your teen is truly going through.
The Collaborative Assessment Process
Parents often come to us feeling unsure or even frustrated—maybe past diagnoses didn’t quite fit, or treatment plans missed the mark. That’s why we start with a comprehensive assessment of mental health that looks beyond surface-level symptoms to uncover the deeper root causes of your teen’s distress. We take into account emotional, physical, social, academic, intellectual, spiritual, and environmental factors that may be impacting their well-being.
Our behavioral health assessment is guided by a multidisciplinary team—therapists, psychiatrists, nurses, educators, and residential staff—who work together to observe, evaluate, and truly understand your teen. From psychological testing and interviews to medical reviews and daily interactions, every piece of the puzzle matters.
Comprehensive Assessments for Teens in Crisis
In a mental health crisis? Understanding the root causes is crucial. At OASIS Ascent, we take a deep, thoughtful approach with a comprehensive mental health assessment process specifically designed for struggling teens. This first step allows us to go beyond surface-level symptoms to uncover the underlying emotional, behavioral, and psychological challenges your teen is facing.
Our comprehensive mental health assessment includes:
- 24/7 observation by a dedicated team of mental health experts—including licensed therapists, psychiatrists, APRNs, nurses, and life coaches. These continuous observations, across therapeutic, academic, and residential settings, offer valuable insights into your teen’s emotional state, behavior, and social interactions.
- A comprehensive psychological evaluation by a licensed psychologist experienced in diagnosing adolescent mental health conditions. These evaluations are included in the cost of the program and are especially helpful for correcting or clarifying prior diagnoses, which is common among teens in crisis.
- Regular psychiatric assessments and medication reviews by our on-site psychiatrist or APRN. These professionals monitor medication effectiveness and adjust treatment as needed, ensuring the safest and most effective support for your teen.
- A biopsychosocial assessment which explores the complex interaction of biological, psychological, and social influences. This foundational behavioral health assessment helps us understand how the environment, family dynamics, and personal history may be affecting your teen’s well-being.
- A full medical evaluation, including a physical exam by experienced medical providers, helps identify any underlying health conditions that may be contributing to emotional or behavioral issues. Our nursing staff is available on-site to provide ongoing care and support.
- Genetic testing, such as pharmacogenomic analysis, may be used to personalize medication strategies, helping us understand how your teen’s body metabolizes different medications.
We also assess:
- Sleep patterns and physical wellness
- Nutrition and eating habits
- Self-care and independent living skills
- Academic abilities, using tools like MAP testing and real-time observation in our therapeutic school
This comprehensive and collaborative behavioral health assessment process allows us to develop a truly individualized treatment plan. With weekly psychiatric check-ins and ongoing team collaboration, we ensure that your teen receives the most accurate, responsive care possible, laying the foundation for long-term healing and growth.
What to Expect: Additional Details on the Assessment Process
At OASIS, we conduct a comprehensive, multi-dimensional assessment process designed to uncover the full scope of a student’s needs. This section provides a deeper look into how we gather, interpret, and apply assessment data to guide individualized treatment planning.
By conducting a thorough and collaborative comprehensive mental health assessment, we ensure a holistic understanding of each student, laying the foundation for personalized support, empowered growth, and long-term success.
Our Comprehensive Assessment Approach
At OASIS Ascent, our holistic treatment model is grounded in the belief that mental health is deeply connected to all areas of a person’s life. That’s why our wellness model is structured around six core dimensions: Emotional, Physical, Intellectual, Social, Occupational & Financial, and Spiritual & Environmental. Each student moves through a three-phase process in each dimension: Assess, Empower, and Thrive.
The Assess phase is where it all begins—and it’s the foundation for everything that follows.
Our rigorous assessment process is designed not only to accurately diagnose mental health challenges but also to uncover or rule out underlying issues that may be contributing to those struggles. Each dimension of wellness is carefully evaluated using specialized tools and techniques that provide a full-spectrum view of the student's well-being.
By assessing all six dimensions, we ensure that no contributing factor is overlooked. This comprehensive approach allows us to craft a treatment plan that’s not only accurate and effective but deeply personalized, grounded in a detailed behavioral health assessment process.
The Comprehensive Evaluation: A Roadmap for the Future
At OASIS Ascent, the end-of-stay comprehensive evaluation isn’t just a summary—it’s a powerful tool that gives families clarity, direction, and hope. Unlike short-term psychiatric stays that often feel like a temporary fix, our extended “assess and stabilize” model provides the time, space, and expertise needed to uncover the deeper issues behind a teen’s struggles.
Over the course of their stay, your teen undergoes a wide range of assessments—from psychological testing and psychiatric evaluations to medical exams, nutritional screenings, academic testing, and sleep monitoring. This process is built into the program and conducted by a collaborative team of specialists who observe your child 24/7 in a supportive environment. By the time your teen graduates from OASIS Ascent, we’ve compiled all of these insights into a single, in-depth document: the Comprehensive Assessment Report.
This packet is more than a collection of data—it’s a detailed, personalized "book" that offers a clearer picture of who your teen is, what they’re struggling with, and how to best support them moving forward. It helps clarify diagnoses, avoid misdiagnoses, and provides targeted recommendations for continued care. For many parents, this report sparks an “aha” moment—finally understanding how their teen thinks, feels, and sees the world, and learning new ways to connect with and support them.
Professionals—including educational consultants, therapists, and schools—use this comprehensive mental health assessment to create tailored plans for ongoing treatment or accommodations. It serves as a roadmap, offering guidance for the next phase of your teen’s healing journey.
This thorough, expert-driven evaluation is included in the cost of the program and is a key reason why families choose OASIS Ascent. It reflects our commitment to not just stabilizing teens in crisis, but empowering them—and their families—with the tools they need to thrive.
What Makes Our Assessment Process Different?
When your teen is in crisis, it’s natural to want answers—and fast. But lasting change doesn’t come from a quick fix. At OASIS Ascent, we believe that true healing begins with understanding, and that’s why our comprehensive mental health assessment process is so essential.
A Personalized Path Forward
Every teen is different, and so are the reasons behind their struggles. Some may have been misdiagnosed in the past. Others may have underlying issues—like trauma, anxiety, depression, or neurodiversity—that haven’t yet been fully explored. Without a clear picture of what’s really going on, it’s nearly impossible to create an effective treatment plan.
Our assessments help us uncover the root causes of your teen’s distress, not just the symptoms. We take the time to gather accurate, in-depth information about your child’s emotional, behavioral, cognitive, physical, and social functioning. This allows our clinical team to create a treatment plan that’s truly personalized, giving your teen the best chance at real, lasting progress.
The Comprehensive Report: A Roadmap, Not Just a Summary
This process doesn’t just help the treatment team—it helps you as a parent. The psychological evaluation offers insight into how your teen thinks and experiences the world. You’ll better understand how to communicate with them, support them, and build a stronger relationship going forward.
The report also helps guide next steps—whether that means transitioning home, finding a longer-term program, or arranging school accommodations. It gives outside professionals a clear, reliable foundation to build on, saving valuable time and ensuring your teen gets the right support from day one.
Setting the Stage for Long-Term Success
At OASIS Ascent, our model Assess, Empower, Thrive reflects the natural progression of healing. Assessment is the crucial first step. It lays the groundwork for everything that follows: the therapy, skill-building, and growth that happen during the Empower and Thrive phases.
This in-depth understanding allows us to provide targeted, effective support not generic solutions. It’s how we help teens develop the tools they need to stabilize, build confidence, and move forward with hope. And it’s how we help families reconnect and heal together.
OASIS Ascent: A Foundation for Future Success
Short-Term Stay. Long-Term Impact.
OASIS Ascent is a short-term assessment and stabilization program designed to help teens and families find clarity and direction. Our goal is to uncover what your teen truly needs and recommend the best next steps for their continued growth.
Empowering Teens and Families for What Comes Next
By the time a teen leaves OASIS, they’re not just stabilized—they’re equipped with:
- A clear understanding of their diagnosis
- Practical insights into what works (and what doesn’t)
- A personalized treatment plan for long-term success
We don’t just help teens feel better—we help them get better.
Clear Answers Through Comprehensive Assessment
Many teens come to OASIS with prior diagnoses and a complex history. Through our integrated approach—including:
- In-depth psychological and academic testing
- Real-time therapeutic sessions
- Continuous observation from trained staff
We’re able to look beyond surface behaviors and get to the root of what’s really going on.
Guiding the Next Step in Treatment
Once we’ve gathered a full picture, we guide families toward the most appropriate next phase of care. That might include:
- Returning home with outpatient therapy
- Enrolling in an intensive outpatient program (IOP)
- Transitioning to a long-term residential treatment center
Our recommendations are never generic—they’re based on real data, real interactions, and a full comprehensive assessment mental health model that ensures the most appropriate next step for every teen.
A Personalized Path—Not a One-Size-Fits-All Plan
At OASIS, a single discovery can change everything. Some teens arrive with one diagnosis, but through our process, we uncover something different, which allows them to get a more accurate diagnosis. With the right diagnosis, they can finally receive the targeted support they need.
"She came in with depression and anxiety. We discovered autism. With the right diagnosis and support, she went home and is now thriving." — Joe Wallace, LMFT
At Oasis Ascent, We Are Here to Support You Every Step of the Way.
Let's discuss your teen's needs and explore how our residential treatment program can help them reach their full potential.