Pre-session assessments are brief mental health check-ins (PHQ-9, GAD-7) that eligible clients are prompted to complete before each appointment. They give providers a current, structured picture of how clients are doing before the session begins.

Who is prompted for a pre-session assessment?

Full-access Tava clients whose last completed assessment is more than 14 days old will be prompted to complete an assessment before their next session. Limited access clients, or clients with a recent assessment, are not affected.

How are clients prompted?

Clients are reminded through three channels:

• Appointment reminders: (text and email) 1 day, 1 hour, 15 minutes and 2 minutes before their session include a reminder to complete their assessment and a link to do so.
• Client home page: a persistent alert prompts relevant clients to complete an assessment whenever they sign in.
• Virtual session waiting room: if an assessment hasn't been completed before a virtual session, clients are required to complete it in the waiting room before the session begins.

FAQs

Why does Tava have pre-session assessments? Regular outcome measurement is one of the most reliable ways to track client progress. Pre-session assessments give you a consistent check-in so you start every session with context.

Is this required for all of my clients? No. Only full-access clients whose last assessment is more than 14 days old will be prompted. Limited access clients are not included.

What happens if my client doesn't complete the assessment before a virtual session? They'll be guided through it in the waiting room. The "Begin Session" button is inactive until the assessment is complete, at which point you'll see a results summary. Clients are reminded in advance to minimize any delay.

Is there an override if the delay feels clinically inappropriate? No. If the client's last assessment is within 14 days, they can join without a new one. Otherwise, the assessment must be completed before the session can begin.

Will session delays affect my performance metrics? The session clock begins as soon as the client starts the assessment, so assessment time can be included in your total session duration during documentation. Any delay from the client does not impact your clinical standing.

What if my client finds it intrusive or disengages? All full-access clients have taken assessments before as part of onboarding. Reminders go out well in advance so it's never a surprise, and the assessment takes no more than 2–3 minutes. If you have concerns about a specific client, reach out to therapist-support@tavahealth.com.

What am I expected to do with the assessment results? There's no required protocol. Use the results to support your clinical judgment. Briefly acknowledging scores at the start of a session, especially if there's been a notable change, can be a natural way to open the conversation.

What if my client already completed an assessment recently? They won't be prompted again. If you notice some clients are assessed at some sessions but not others, that's expected based on recency of their last assessment.

How does this work for in-person sessions? In-person clients receive the same reminder prompts but there's no waiting room or enforcement. Encourage them to complete their assessment in their Tava account before arriving.

Who do I contact with questions? Reach out to therapist-support@tavahealth.com.