Tava uses the Mental Health Assessment to track client progress over time and support measurement-informed care. Assessments are completed by clients at intake, and on an ongoing basis as a standard part of value-based care.
The Tava Mental Health Assessment
The Tava Mental Health Assessment is a combination of:
- GAD-7 (Anxiety)
- PHQ-9 (Depression)
- C-SSRS (Suicidality Risk), if applicable based on the client's answer to the last question of the PHQ-9
All clients complete the assessment when they first set up their Tava account. If clients have questions about their scores, you can share this article.
Note: In May 2024, Tava replaced the Core-10 assessment in client intake with the Tava Mental Health Assessment. Completed Core-10 assessments taken before May 2024 are still visible in the client's Progress Dashboard.
Pre-Session Assessments
Starting in March 2026, pre-session assessments are a standard part of every session for full-access clients. Before each appointment, clients are prompted to complete a brief assessment so you start every session with a current picture of how they're doing.
Who is prompted:
Full-access clients whose last completed assessment is more than 14 days old. Clients with a recent assessment, and all limited access clients, are not affected.
How clients are reminded:
- Appointment reminders (text and email): At 1 day, 1 hour, and 15 minutes before the session, reminders include a prompt and link to complete the assessment early.
- Client home page: There is a reminder to complete the assessment when clients sign in to their Tava account.
- Virtual waiting room: If a client hasn't completed their assessment before joining, they'll be guided through it before the session begins.
During a virtual session:
If an assessment is due, the client will see a "Take Assessment" button before they are able to enter the virtual session room. Providers are alerted if the client is online and taking the assessment. Once complete, providers will be able to review the results and start the session. The session clock begins as soon as the client starts the assessment.
For in-person sessions:
In-person clients receive assessment reminders before through email and text. Encourage in-person clients to complete their assessment before arriving.
Ongoing Assessments
It's recommended that clients complete the Tava Mental Health Assessment about once a month while actively in therapy. With pre-session assessments now in place, most clients who attend regular sessions will meet or exceed this cadence naturally.
Clients may automatically receive an assessment reminder every 4 weeks, as long as:
- They have logged in within the past 4 weeks
- They haven't already taken an assessment during that time
You can customize the text of the automated message in your preferences.
To disable automated reminders for a specific client, use the toggle at the bottom of their Assessments tab on their profile.
Manually Sending Assessments
You can manually send a client the Mental Health Assessment or Suicidality Risk Assessment at any time via message.
Reviewing Assessment Results
When a client completes an assessment, you'll receive a notification with a link to their Progress Dashboard. Their dashboard includes all completed assessments, including any Core-10 assessments taken before May 2024.
Clicking on an assessment response shows the client's detailed answers. C-SSRS (Suicidality Risk) assessments appear in list format only and are not included in the progress chart.