What sets us apart?

Conventional Assessment KAI Asssssment
Psychiatry • 90-minute meeting with solo psychiatrist that blends individual and family assessments; rarely generates a written report
• Scant use of psychometric/objective data
• Scant family based assessment
• Scant contact with family or prior clinicians
• Limited parenting and parent personality assessments
• Limited recognition of intergenerational trauma
• DSM V Diagnostic impression without report or nuanced assessment of the teen’s environment
• Bias towards biomedical treatments that do not integrate psychosocial interventions
• Limited access to specialized treatment plans/referrals		 • 90-minute meeting with teen alone followed by 60 minute feedback meeting with teen and family focused on biological psychiatry summarized in a written report
• Focus on psychometric and wearable data
• Detailed family and parenting assessments
• Detailed inquiries with prior clinicians and multiple informants to enrich data set
• Focus on family history and individual parent assessments informing generational transmission of psychiatric vulnerability
• DSM V and PDM 2 diagnoses
• Focus on differential therapeutics to discern the most effective sequence of treatments for not only the teen, but everyone in the family
• Focus on hybrid treatment plans with balanced recommendations spanning medical and psychosocial interventions
• Case management to facilitate referrals to specific experts well known to KAI faculty and staff
• Psychiatric assessments informed by twice weekly interdisciplinary rounds; DSM V diagnoses only a part of the formulation; recognition that the psychiatric piece is part of a whole
Psychology Standard psychological assessment using standardized psychometric assessments that generate a report focusing on cognitive ability without a detailed understanding of the relationship between cognitive and social/emotional findings. Academic testing sometimes included. Neuropsychological assessment enriched by twice weekly interdisciplinary rounds, a detailed social and emotional timeline, detailed educational information, an art therapy assessment, discussions with previous assessors, review of previous records gathered by our case manager, projective measures, educational testing, and an integrated report.
Social Work Individual social work therapist responsible for contacting previous therapists, programs; individual social work therapist responsible for meeting with the teen and family without support. A team of two LCSWs work collaboratively to collect and organize previous records and speak with prior treatment teams utilizing a standardized approach. The team assesses the individual patient from a social, emotional, spiritual, and cultural standpoint. The data they collect is then shared with the team during twice weekly interdisciplinary rounds.
Education None Our educational expert conducts a detailed assessment of previous school records including IEP, 504 plans as well as report cards.  Because the interface between social/emotional and cognitive function is so important for teens, we prioritize a deeper dive into the educational backgrounds of our clients.  In certain cases, education consultants join our team and assist with placement in higher levels of care, when appropriate.
The arts None Because artistic expression is an important avenue for teens, we prioritize an art therapy assessment with an expert in the field.
Family None Because teens live in families and because families constitute the primary environment in which teens live and learn, KAI focusses on family-based assessments. Each family engages a parenting assessment, and each parent engages a brief psychiatric evaluation as part of the cumulative family-based assessment. Family assessments entail a home visit and the information gathered is synthesized in a report the synergistically informs the additional assessments.
Executive Summary None Because our interdisciplinary team of experts generate discrete reports, the team leader generates an executive summary that integrates findings and recommendations into a single document that serves to organize and mobilize teens and families into next steps.
Diagnostic Meeting None At the conclusion of the interdisciplinary assessment procedure the team hosts a supportive meeting for teens and families to gain insight into their respective diagnoses and begin to think about engaging treatment. When possible, outpatient clinicians and referents are invited to the meeting.
Deliverable Psychological report The KAI deliverable is an impressive compendium of individual reports, psycho-education, resources, and specific treatment plans. Instead of saying 'patient should engage in psychotherapy' the team will identify specific therapists, speak with them prior to referral, and ensure that the recommendations are followed.
Post Assessment Case Management None All KAI cases will be prospectively followed, and our case manager will ensure that the treatment plan is followed up with fidelity by meeting with the client and calling the receiving clinician to ensure adherence. When indicated, our case management can coordinate referrals for a higher level of care.
Access to experts None KAI has aggregated a loose affiliation of internationally renowned mental health experts capable of consulting the diagnostic procedures as well as receiving clients as referents.