Texas Order for Mental Examination

You can get referrals from your family doctor, clergy or local Mental Health America office (which also may provide mental health care services) and crisis centers. Your insurance company can provide a list of providers who are in your plan.

Psychological evaluations are normally not ordered as a matter of course. The family court usually has to have a significant question about the mental health of one or both parties.

The criteria for involuntary hospitalization are as follows: patients must exhibit dangerous behavior toward themselves or others, they must be helpless and unable to provide for their basic daily needs, and there is a danger of essential harm to their mental health if they do not receive mental care.

History of psychological issues. Questionable and erratic parenting conduct. Alcohol and drug dependency or abuse. Child abuse allegations.

The duration of a psychiatric evaluation varies from one person to another. The amount of information needed helps to determine the amount of time the assessment takes. Typically, a psychiatric evaluation lasts for 30 to 90 minutes.

5150 is the number of the section of the Welfare and Institutions Code, which allows a person with a mental illness to be involuntarily detained for a 72-hour psychiatric hospitalization.

In order to begin the Involuntary Commitment process, a Mental Health Warrant must be issued. This warrant serves as a Magistrate's Order for Emergency Apprehension and Detention. The Magistrate is the Judge who will issue the warrant.

And not just anyone can perform a psychological evaluation. Licensed clinical psychologists are expertly trained to administer assessments and tests and interpret the results. In many cases, psychologists who administer tests will then treat patients with psychotherapy.