PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT / EVALUATION
How will a psychological assessment benefit me?
- Assessments may help you to better understand problems you've faced at home, at work, at school, in relationships, or in other areas of your life.
- The extent of benefits depends on the nature of the evaluation.
- Psychological Testing can sometimes assist in understanding more about any underlying issues interfering with your ability to succeed in life.
- Assessments may assist your providers in clarifying diagnostic concerns when otherwise unclear.
- Vocational assessments can assist you in focusing on career or vocations tailored to your aptitude and interests.
Should I wait until I try therapy or medications before considering psychological testing?
I cannot advise you regarding your specific situation. I do believe it's generally best to first establish what, if any, mental health issues are present before spending money on treatment. Before you pursue any mental health treatment, it is best practice to first obtain a complete physical from your medical provider so that physical ailments can be considered and/or ruled out. Following this, should you continue to suspect mental health concerns, then consider completing psychological testing to better assist you and your provider in determining the method of treatment that will be of most benefit. There are many forms of mental health therapy, providers, and medications to consider. In the absence of psychological test results to assist in determining which treatment method is best, you should understand that sometimes therapy and/or medications can be both costly and potentially damaging when contraindicated.
What is involved in the assessment process?
The testing process varies from person to person, based on his/her needs. Some commonly tested areas include learning, memory, attention, concentration, language skills, problem-solving skills, academic skills, motor skills, emotional functioning (stress, depression, anxiety), personality functioning, vocational interests, and adaptive functioning. Some clients occasionally report frustration, confusion, anger, or embarrassment during the evaluation process. If these reactions occur, every effort will be made to make you as comfortable as possible. Testing appointments vary in length and typically are scheduled in increments 2-3 hour session with breaks and rest periods provided as needed or indicated. Follow-up test sessions may be scheduled on another test date. Psychological assessment involves a number of steps:
- Initial interview with you to gather all the needed information and to plan to test.
- Review of medical/educational records, collateral reports & interviews with written consent.
- Testing with you.
- Scoring and interpretation of tests by me.
- Preparation of written evaluation report by me.
- Feedback appointment in which assessment findings are reviewed with you
Are there any additional fees or hidden costs?
The fees listed are a flat rate, covering all aspects of the assessment process, with the exception of an additional fee for circumstances involving the assessment of minors of divorced/separated parents (see below).
- Educational Evaluation: 6;1800
- Clinical Evaluation: $1800
- Vocational Assessment: $600
What information is included in the psychological assessment report?
Any information that you provide either orally (phone contact, interviews, etc.) or in writing (intake forms, questionnaires, etc.) may be included in your report. This information will reflect your reported concerns, social history, family history (including psychiatric, medical, and trauma history), developmental history, and family stressors (such as divorce, conflict, deaths, etc.). This information may be potentially sensitive in nature. Also typically included in your report is information provided by other care providers (if applicable), test results, your diagnosis, and recommendations for care. If all of the necessary paperwork has been received, including collateral reports or information from treating providers obtained through your consent, the report will typically take one to two weeks following the last day of testing before it is completed. A full written report is typically shared with you at a feedback appointment. No reports are released, even when authorizations are on file to share information with others (such as physicians) unless you provide your written consent regarding the release of this information.
If I am divorced, does my ex-partner need to be involved?
If applicable, any legal proceedings with you or your family will need to be discussed prior to my participation, and a separate legal service fee contract will need to be discussed and signed. Parents with joint legal custody have equal rights in consenting to medical treatment, unless otherwise noted in a custody or divorce decree. For many reasons, it is absolutely critical that both parents agree that psychological assessment is appropriate and that both parents agree on the provider conducting the evaluation. At times, parents who are involved in divorce or custody disputes have difficulty maintaining an appropriate decorum in the waiting room, clinic office, or therapist office. Out of concern for your child, I will extend an invitation to have both parties contribute to the intake process, provide input through separate interviews, and provide two separate test feedback sessions and an additional assessment fee of $200 will apply.