We offer mental health assessments, violence risk assessments, and sexual abuse risk assessments.

Referrals may request:

• A single assessment (mental health assessment OR violence risk assessment OR sexual abuse risk assessment), or

• A combined Violence Risk and Mental Health Assessment

Please note: a sexual abuse risk assessment is a standalone assessment and cannot be combined with any other type of assessment. If a sexual abuse risk assessment is required in addition to a mental health assessment and/or a violence risk assessment, separate referral forms must be completed for each type of assessment.

Please note that we cannot provide neuropsychological, psychological, or substance use assessments/evaluation, nor can we provide CODE or Level of Care assessments.

Once Groundwork Healing receives your referral, we will contact the referring source and/or the client to discuss next steps. We strive to review and process assessment referrals within 1-2 weeks.

Due to high demand, the wait time for most assessments is several months, although we work to schedule clients as soon as possible. Referrals are processed in the order they are received, and we do not maintain a cancellation list.

When an appointment becomes available, we will contact the client directly to schedule the assessment and will notify the referring entity once the appointment is confirmed. Please note that incomplete referrals or situations where we are unable to reach the client may result in delays or the referral not being added to the waitlist. Clients are responsible for ensuring that we have their current and accurate contact information.

On average, clients will participate in approximately five (5) 60-minute sessions with their assigned clinician to complete the assessment process. The clinician reserves the right to schedule additional sessions as needed.

The first assessment session must be attended in person. This session will be used to:

• Review practice policies

• Obtain and review applicable Releases of Information

• Review and sign the treatment plan

• Complete required assessment tools

After the initial session, clients will be prompted to schedule subsequent sessions with Groundwork Healing, LLC’s administrative staff.

Subsequent assessment sessions will be used to:

• Review provided collateral documentation

• Complete a psychosocial assessment

• Interview the client and gather their perspective

Telehealth may be an option for the subsequent sessions and should be discussed with staff at Groundwork Healing, LLC

If you have been referred for an assessment by the State of Maine Department of Health and Human Services, the State of Maine Department of Corrections, or another entity, they may be responsible for the costs and fees associated with your assessment. Groundwork Healing, LLC requires that a Release of Information form be completed for any referring entity and/or payor.

If you are self-referring for an assessment, you are responsible for the costs and fees associated with your assessment, including co-pays, deductibles, and non-covered services. Insurance companies, including MaineCare, do not cover non-face-to-face services which include: phone calls, record review, report writing, and court testimony. You are responsible for payment of these services. If you are self-referring for an assessment and if we are contracted with your insurance, we will bill your insurance and you are responsible for any co-pay, deductible or non-covered services at the time that services are rendered. We must have your insurance information at the time that the service is being rendered, or you will be required to pay in full. If your insurance has not paid your account in full, within 60 days, the balance will become your responsibility. If there is a change to your insurance, you must notify us immediately. We provide most services paid by the MaineCare insurance program. MaineCare regulations only allow you to see one therapist at a time. Therefore, please advise Groundwork Healing, LLC if you are receiving other services or have recently received services by a mental health clinician.

Groundwork Healing, LLC complies with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). However, by engaging in the assessment process, you acknowledge and agree to the following limitations to confidentiality:

• Communication between you and staff at Groundwork Healing, LLC is not considered fully confidential within the context of this assessment. Information shared may be discussed or documented in the assessment.

• Any statements made to employees of Groundwork Healing, LLC may be included in the assessment.

• You have the right to decline to answer any questions and may stop the evaluation at any time. If you choose to discontinue the evaluation, a report may still be completed based on the information available.

• Clinicians are mandated reporters under the law. If information is disclosed regarding suspected child maltreatment or imminent safety concerns, clinicians are required to report this information to the appropriate authorities.

• You have the right to consult with legal representation before answering questions; however, legal representation will not be present during assessment sessions. Please note that a limited number of assessment sessions are available.

• The final report will be provided to the referring and/or paying entity. Should you need to request a copy for yourself or any other entity please contact the office. A staff member will discuss any necessary releases that may need to be completed in order to fulfil the request.

• You may revoke a previously signed Release of Information at any time. However, revoking authorization may result in the client’s assuming financial responsibility for associated fees.

Please also be aware that courts may obtain records through investigative subpoenas, even if prior releases have been revoked. The granting of subpoenas is determined by the court and should be discussed with your legal representation (if applicable). Additionally, clinicians may be subpoenaed to testify in court regarding the assessment.

Assessments are a collaborative process between the client, the clinician, and the referring or paying entity (if applicable). A Release of Information is required for the referring or paying entity so that we can communicate necessary information related to the assessment process.

With your additional written consent, we may also collaborate with other providers, supports, or organizations involved in your care. These releases help ensure that the assessment is thorough, coordinated, and accurate. You may choose whether to authorize communication with any additional individuals or organizations by completing a confidential Release of Information form.

Clients are expected to attend all scheduled sessions. If a session must be canceled due to unforeseen circumstances, clients are asked to notify the office as soon as possible, preferably with at least 24 hours’ notice. Failure to follow the attendance policy may result in the cancellation of future appointments and placement at the bottom of the waitlist.

Additionally, Groundwork Healing, LLC reserves the right to terminate the assessment process for the following reasons, including, but not limited to:

• The client behaves in a threatening, abusive, or inappropriate manner toward any staff member at Groundwork Healing, LLC

• The client does not attend scheduled assessment sessions

• The client fails to complete required assessment tools

• Client is not scheduled or seen for an appointment at Groundwork Healing, LLC within 30 days

• The client does not maintain a valid release of information for the referring and/or paying entity

If the assessment process is terminated for any reason, the client and/or referring entity will remain financially responsible for all services rendered up to the point of termination. The clinician will determine if the final report will, or will not, be completed based on the number of completed sessions prior to the point of termination.

If you are referring a client for an assessment, please click here to complete our assessment referral form. In addition to the referral form, collateral documentation must also be submitted via fax at (207) 941-0880. Please note that referrals will not be processed until all required collateral documentation has been received.

If you have been referred for an assessment and have been instructed to complete our intake paperwork, please click here to do so. Additionally, please click here to complete a Release of Information for the referring source/payer.

If you are seeking to self-refer for an assessment, please click here to complete our assessment services client intake paperwork.

If you have been referred for an assessment and are unsure of the next steps, please call our office at (207) 941-0879, and we would be happy to assist you.