Selecting an Assessment Option within CARS-5

CARS assessments are administered by a user, a staff member who uses the tool to interview a client. The user reads questions to the client, and enters the client’s responses to the questions.

Both the Windows and macOS versions of CARS-5 include five assessment options. Each version creates a diagnostic report that you can share with clients.

CARS

This option includes a comprehensive mental health screener that evaluates for 20 mental disorders and related problems, followed by in-depth modules that enable more thorough assessment and evaluation when necessary. CARS also includes a module assessing DUI and factors related to DUI recidivism, a module assessing suicidality, and a screener for personality disorders. Staff can choose which modules to enable, and whether each module conducts a past-12-month or full lifetime evaluation. CARS is administered by a user to a client, and takes between 25 minutes and three hours to administer, depending on client responses and which modules are enabled.

CARS Screener

This option includes the same comprehensive mental health screener as the CARS option, but excludes in-depth modules. The CARS Screener enables staff to screen clients for potential disorders and identify mental health areas that warrant additional attention. The CARS Screener is administered by a user to a client, and takes between 25 and 50 minutes depending on client responses.

Self-Administered CARS Screener

This option contains identical content to the CARS Screener, but has been modified for client self-administration. The Self-Administered CARS Screener takes between 25 and 50 minutes for clients to complete on their own.

Spanish CARS Screener

This option is a direct Spanish translation of the CARS Screener option.

Spanish Self-Administered CARS Screener

This option is a direct Spanish translation of the Self-Administered CARS Screener option.