Extending clinical service through group intake procedures

Group intake procedures have been employed in various mental health facilities to establish diagnosis efficiently, reduce time on waiting lists, and introduce those seeking service to agency procedures. A number of different models reported in the literature are reviewed, including those for adolescents and parents of child referrals. The author points to the importance of intake groups with respect to their orientation function and the peer support they provide for adolescents and members of disadvantaged groups in recounting their problems to professionals.