How to Refer a Client for Psychiatric Evaluation
According to Mental Health America, around 54.7% of adults with a mental health illness don’t receive treatment¹. That means that over 28 million Americans who need help are untreated. For some, referring for psychiatric assessment doesn’t happen due to a lack of healthcare insurance to cover the costs. For others, it could be as simple as not knowing where to go, how to get the psychiatric treatment they need, or who to approach for referral for psychiatric services
The correct mental health referral process can change lives. Knowing how to refer a patient for evaluation when there are signs of psychological distress or a mental health condition can be what spurs long-term recovery.
At Mission Connection, we believe that quality mental health care starts with clear, timely referrals. If you or a loved one needs advice or support in this process, our professional guidance is always available. This article can also help by covering:
- What psychiatric evaluations are
- Who can refer a client for psychiatric services
- When you should refer a client for psychiatric evaluation
- The steps for making a psychiatric evaluation referral
- Common challenges people may face in the referral process
- Legal and ethical considerations in referring for evaluation
What Is a Psychiatric Evaluation?
A psychiatrist or qualified mental health professional can carry out a psychiatric evaluation, which is a comprehensive assessment of a person’s mental health status. Psychiatric evaluations are used to identify mental health disorders and create personalized treatment plans through a series of interviews, observations, and physical examinations. The evaluation can be done at a hospital, treatment center, outpatient facility, or via an in-home appointment.
Once a psychiatric evaluation has taken place, a mental health professional will draw up a proposed treatment plan. This plan will take into consideration the patient’s mental health history, occupation, family background, medication, and safety.
While psychiatric evaluations can vary from one facility to the next, most follow the process outlined by Johns Hopkins Medicine, which includes²:
- A description of the person’s noticed behaviors (when they happen, their duration, and so on)
- An outline of their physical and psychiatric symptoms
- Discussions about the effect behaviors have on things like work or school performance, relationships, and the ability to be involved in activities
- A psychiatric interview
- An assessment of personal and family history (such as whether there are any behavioral, emotional, or developmental disorders)
- An overview of medical history (including mental and physical issues)
Additionally, lab tests are sometimes done as part of a psychiatric evaluation. This is to determine if there’s an underlying condition that may be impacting the patient’s mental health. These tests include blood tests, radiology, and speech and psychological assessments.
A psychiatric evaluation isn’t only for severe mental illness. It can also be used when trying to diagnose mood disorders, anxiety, trauma-related conditions, and co-occurring disorders, helping ensure the individual receives the most accurate, effective care.
Understanding the psychiatric evaluation referral process helps make access to care faster and more effective. However, if you’re still unsure of the process, a mental health professional will be happy to guide you further.
Who Can Refer a Client for Psychiatric Services?
It’s not just about knowing how to refer a patient for evaluation – it’s also about knowing who can handle the process for you. According to the National Alliance on Mental Health, roughly 20% of Americans live with a mental health condition and may require support³. But how do these people get referred? If you don’t know how to access psychiatric evaluations, rest assured, there are mental health professionals available to help.
Referrals for psychiatric services can come from a variety of professionals. Such professionals include:
- Primary care providers, who may notice mental health symptoms during regular checkups.
- Therapists and counselors, who can identify when talk therapy alone may not be enough.
- Social workers and case managers, especially those involved in complex care or crisis management.
- School counselors or psychologists, in cases involving children or adolescents – although some experts believe schools could do with a better understanding of the purpose of a psychiatric evaluation⁴.
A self-referral to psychiatric services may also be possible, especially when supported by a mental health professional. Treatment facilities like Mission Connection can help people access self-referral evaluations.
Knowing how to refer a client for psychiatric evaluation involves more than filling out a form. It means ensuring the person understands the next steps and feels supported throughout the process. This is where our team can step in to assist.
When Should You Refer a Client for Psychiatric Evaluation?
Not every mental health challenge requires referral for mental health assessment, but there are some clear signs when it’s time to take that step. For instance, you may consider a mental health evaluation referral when:
- A client experiences intense or prolonged symptoms like depression, anxiety, extreme mood swings, or hallucinations.
- A patient’s therapy progress stagnates or becomes “stuck,” or if it’s believed that medication may be required.
- There’s a sudden decline in functioning, such as social withdrawal, poor hygiene, or job loss.
- The client talks about suicide, self-harm, or shows risky behaviors.
- The current care team needs diagnostic clarity to plan the next phase of treatment.
At Mission Connection, we help individuals, families, and professionals take the right steps for psychiatric care referrals. When you recognize the signs and know how to recommend psychiatric help, you become part of a larger solution. One that brings clarity, treatment, and hope to the psychiatric evaluation procedure.
Mental Health Referral Process: Steps for Making a Psychiatric Evaluation Referral
In the U.S., the official steps for making a psychiatric referral can vary slightly depending on the setting (for instance, school, primary care, or inpatient settings) and state regulations. Additionally, mental health symptoms may sometimes be caused by a psychiatric illness or a general medical condition. Because of this, a routine psychiatric assessment includes a general medical and psychiatric evaluation, as well as a mental status examination.
The steps for psychiatric evaluation referral generally include:
1. Recognizing the Signs That Evaluation is Needed
Mood changes, suicidal thoughts, paranoia, and trauma may indicate the need for further evaluation
2. Obtaining Legal Consent
Informed consent for referral or treatment is legally required. Unless they’re deemed unfit, adults must provide written or verbal consent. If the patient is a minor, their parent or a legal guardian must provide consent. However, if the patient is considered a danger to themselves or others, then the state laws around involuntary referrals will be applied.
3. Initiating the Referral
The referring party must be a primary care physician, therapist, school counselor, social worker, case manager, or similar. This professional must send a formal referral to a psychiatric provider or mental health facility, providing the following information:
- Why they feel a psychiatric referral is required
- Any relevant medical and psychological history
- List of current medications
- A description of the behaviors and symptoms that have been observed
- Whether they feel it’s an emergency or crisis situation (It’s important that this is highlighted)
When doing this online, you may find that many systems use electronic health records (EHRS) to ensure this process is streamlined and accurate.
4. Coordinating With the Psychiatric Provider
Once the referral is received, the psychiatric team (often a psychiatrist, nurse practitioner, or clinical intake worker) will:
- Review the referral
- Schedule the initial psychiatric evaluation (if appropriate)
- Reach out for additional documentation or assessments (sometimes schools or primary providers are asked to complete behavior forms or submit historical records)
5. Conducting the Evaluation
The psychiatric evaluation itself typically includes:
- A clinical interview
- Medical and psychiatric history review
- Observation of mood and behavior
- Risk assessment
- Potential diagnoses and treatment recommendations
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, these evaluations may last from one to two hours and can involve both the patient and their family, especially if the patient is a minor⁵.
6. Creating and Sharing the Treatment Plan
If treatment is recommended, the psychiatrist may:
- Prescribe medication
- Recommend therapy or intensive outpatient care
- Refer to another specialist (for example, for neuropsychological testing)
- Coordinate with the referring provider (if consent allows)
Common Challenges in the Referral Process (and How to Overcome Them)
The following are challenges that people may face during the referral process – including tips on how to overcome these.
Waitlists and Access Issues
Delays in care can worsen symptoms or discourage clients from following through with treatment. At Mission Connection, we work to minimize wait times by offering timely evaluations through both in-person and virtual platforms.
Insurance and Funding Limitations
Not all insurance plans cover psychiatric evaluations, and cost concerns can prevent clients from seeking care. Mission Connection offers flexible payment options and works with clients to verify benefits before beginning treatment.
Geographic Barriers (Especially in Rural Areas)
In many rural areas, psychiatric services can be hours away. Mission Connection’s teletherapy services make it easier to access licensed professionals no matter where you live.
Stigma or Client Resistance
Some clients fear being labeled or judged. Our team at Mission Connection approaches every referral with compassion, explaining the process clearly and supporting clients at each step to build trust and reduce fear.
Legal and Ethical Considerations in Referring for Evaluation
Referring someone for psychiatric evaluation is a clinical step, and a legal and ethical responsibility. Your role as a therapist, school counselor, primary care provider, or social worker has clear expectations around referrals, especially when someone’s safety or well-being is at risk. Therefore, it’s important to follow legal and ethical guidelines such as the following.
Consent and Confidentiality
In most situations, clients must give informed consent before a psychiatric referral can be made. This includes understanding why the referral is necessary, what the evaluation entails, and who will be involved.
Confidentiality is critical throughout the referral process. This means that any information about mental health conditions should only be shared with evaluating professionals after the client has signed a release of information form. At Mission Connection, we ensure all steps in the referral process are transparent and legally compliant, so patients feel respected and safe.
Duty to Refer
Professionals have a duty to refer when someone presents with symptoms that fall outside their scope of care or if psychiatric risk factors (like suicidality, psychosis, or disordered thinking) emerge. Ignoring these red flags can delay treatment and create risk. A timely referral protects the patient and fulfills your ethical obligation to connect them with the right level of care. If you’re unsure, Mission Connection’s clinical team can consult with referring providers to help determine whether a formal evaluation is the next best step.
Referring of Minors and Vulnerable Adults
When it comes to minors or adults with limited decision-making capacity, the rules around consent shift. Parents or legal guardians usually provide authorization, but in some cases (like suspected abuse or court involvement), a provider may be legally obligated to act in the individual’s best interest, even without guardian approval. Mission Connection handles these sensitive referrals with care and in alignment with all applicable state and federal laws.
Handling Client Resistance with Compassion
Not every client is ready to accept a referral. Fear, stigma, or denial can all lead to resistance. The key is to approach the conversation with empathy while staying grounded in your ethical responsibilities. Acknowledge their hesitation, validate their concerns, and gently clarify that the goal is to understand, not to label. When appropriate, let clients know that they’ll have a voice in the evaluation process.
Ultimately, a psychiatric referral should feel like an extension of care and not a threat. With the right approach and support, even hesitant clients can move forward toward the help they need.
Referring Clients to Mission Connection
Finding the right support can make all the difference in someone’s mental health journey – and that process often starts with a thoughtful, well-timed referral. At Mission Connection, we make it easier for providers, family members, and concerned individuals to refer clients for psychiatric evaluation and treatment. Whether someone is navigating depression, anxiety, trauma, or co-occurring concerns, we provide a streamlined referral process and a collaborative care environment that meets people where they are.
We accept referrals for adults, teens, and children, and offer a full range of services including psychiatric evaluations, therapy, and personalized treatment planning. Our programs include outpatient services, intensive outpatient (IOP), and partial hospitalization (PHP), as well as virtual care for increased accessibility.
If you think someone you know could benefit from a psychiatric assessment or ongoing mental health support, reach out to Mission Connection today. We’re here to answer questions, walk you through the referral steps, and make sure your client gets connected to the right level of care.
Get in touch with our team at 866-941-9106 to make a referral or learn more about our services.
References
- Mental Health America. (2024). The State of Mental Health in America 2024. https://mhanational.org/the-state-of-mental-health-in-america/
- Johns Hopkins Medicine. (n.d.). Comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/comprehensive-psychiatric-evaluation
- National Alliance on Mental Illness. (n.d.). Mental health by the numbers. https://www.nami.org/about-mental-illness/mental-health-by-the-numbers/
- Redelmeier, R. (2024, February 12). US schools are sending more kids to psychiatrists out of fears of violence. Clinicians are concerned. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/education/2024/feb/12/us-school-psychiatric-evaluation-students-mental-health
- Johns Hopkins Medicine. (n.d.). Comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/comprehensive-psychiatric-evaluation
