Continuous assessment apprises the counselor of possible new and urgent needs which have arisen since the initial assessment. These needs can then be addressed through the counseling process. Second, assessment can aid in evaluating the efficacy of treatment. Upon entering treatment, an initial assessment establishes the client's baseline of functioning. Continuous assessment allows comparisons between this initial base-line and the client's current functioning.
Improvements suggest treatment efficacy and the benefit of continuing the current treatment course.
Reduction in functioning or a lack of improvement, however, suggests a need to alter treatment. Continuous assessment, therefore, is important, because it keeps the counselor apprised of the client's ever changing needs and indicates treatment efficacy. Typically a debriefing follows the qualitative assessment experience. Clients can process what they learned from the experience immediately within the counseling session. The intent of this experience is to help clients reflect upon significant past events which have influenced them.