Screening is the first part of the evaluation process where the goal is to decide the placement of a client into a facility. When determining where to place a client, facilities are not judged based on inclusion, but rather on ruling out inappropriate facilities. This means that the client and counselor should have established rapport, that way the counselor can best determine which facility would be a good match for the client.

In an effective screening process, the essential elements will be made up of:

1. The demographics of the client (his/or her name, address, age, sex, and other miscellaneous details)
2. The confidentiality guidelines and limitations
3. A draft of what the program will consist of (the scope of the practice, the way the client will pay for it, appointment scheduling, the program philosophy, and the credentials of the primary services providers)
4. Which preliminary assessment instruments will be used (such as the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test)