COUN 521 Mental Status Exam: Detailed Analysis of Interviewee

This document presents a Mental Status Exam (MSE) report based on an interview with Mateo Nicholson, a 45-year-old African-American male seeking a Senior Pastor position. The report details Mr. Nicholson's appearance, manner, approach, orientation, alertness, thought processes, mood, and affect, noting his well-groomed appearance, calm demeanor, and thoughtful responses. The assessment indicates that Mr. Nicholson is oriented, alert, and logical in his thinking, with a neutral but positive mood. His interpersonal characteristics reflect strong evaluation skills and a friendly, open behavior. The MSE suggests that Mr. Nicholson functions within normal limits of adaptive functioning, showing no signs of anxiety or unusual behavior. This report is structured according to the guidelines provided in Drummond's text, focusing on observations made during the initial interview to provide insights into Mr. Nicholson's mental status.

Running head: Mental Status Exam
Conducting a Mental Status Exam

Running head: Mental Status Exam
Appearance
Mr. Mateo Nicholson a 45 year old and an African-American male during his Interview seemed
to be a descent and well-groomed person as he was clean shaved, had short hair and was dressed
in a clean pair of trousers with tucked in shirt. He seemed to be a healthy person standing 5feet
11 inches tall and weighted around 95 Kgs. During his interview he sat fully erect and was
honest, open-minded and seems ready to face all the questions he was expecting to encounter.
Mr. Nicholson remained calm though out his interview and show no unusual behavior of
symptoms of stress or anxiety. Moreover, he seemed strong headed, patient and capable of
adopting well to an unknown new environment. He also seem physically fit and showed no
symptoms of physical impairments.
Manner and Approach
 Mr. Nicholson in his previous church counselled hundreds of people by patiently listing to
their person and professional problems and have successfully enlightened many to make
correct decisions. He received many positive references from the people he helped and within
three years’ time period was also appointed as Junior Pastor of the church. Which reflects
him as humble, patient and intelligent person.
 Moreover, it can be inferred from the interview that his Interpersonal Characteristics seemed
to have great Evaluation skills, openness, and friendly behavior and presented him as highly
intellectual person.
 From his behavior, Mr. Nicholson appeared to be extremely stable person who was
indifferent, alert and highly influencing in his approach.
 Mr. Nicholson spoke in typical southern-American accent and was passive, slow and deep
voiced in his speech.

Running head: Mental Status Exam
 He maintained constant comfortable eye contact throughout his interview which represented
his readiness towards the interview.
 He was quick and thoughtful during his interview and answered questions regarding his
presence and past at same pace which represented alertness and his presence of mind.
Orientation, Alertness, and Thought Processes
 During interview process, Mr. Nicholson was oriented towards attending it.
 He was answering all the interview questions with same pace and decency and was highly
alert during the interview.
 He specifically answered all the interview questions in a straightforward manner without
elaborating incidents and events too much and with the help of appropriate examples.
 The concentration and attention of Mr. Nicholson was praise worthy as there were very few
times the interviewer had to repeat his questions.
 His inference towards situations cases and statements were logical moreover, his intellectual
behavior helped many people in finding solutions of their everyday life problems as well.
Mood and Affect
 Mr. Nicholson was in neutral mood however, he was positive in answering all the questions
and seemed to be introvert person with great analytical skills.
 He had slight smile on face throughout the conversation but his tome was flat and lacked
emotions and he was consistent with this facial and tonal expression though out the
interview.

Running head: Mental Status Exam
 Mr. Nicholson had a practical and modern approach to life and was too sorted to be involved
in any type of risk for violence
 He showed no signs of anxiety and was confidant to clear the interview and mental status
exam.

Running head: Mental Status Exam
Bibliography
Drummond, R. J. & Jones, K. D. (2006). Assessment procedures for counselors and helping
professionals. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Merrill Prentice Hall.
Drummond, R. J. (2004). Appraisal procedures for counselors and helping professionals. Upper
Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.