Psychological Evaluations

COMMON QUESTIONS

How can a psychological evaluation be helpful?

Our clients and their needs are highly diverse. What they have in common is a need for clarification and direction. While some individuals are experiencing considerable distress and need treatment recommendations, others hope for clarification around learning and educational issues or guidance with a particular stage of development and transition.

Often, clients have tried many forms of treatment and continue to experience the same symptoms. In these cases, an evaluation is particularly useful in helping clients get unstuck in treatment and in life. During the assessment process, we will be able to accurately identify strengths, weaknesses, and risk factors in order to offer both diagnostic clarification and individualized recommendations.

I have already had an evaluation. How is this different?

Previous evaluations can be helpful in the process, and we will review and integrate any that you have had. Very often evaluations focus on one aspect of functioning. Our evaluation will zoom in on multiple areas of functioning and make sense of how all of the data is relevant while identifying patterns over time.

Does a team testing approach take longer and cost more?

In short – no and no. We are both involved in each aspect of the evaluation process i.e. intake, assessment administration, feedback, etc. but without redundancy. As such, clients have a seamless and efficient experience of working with two psychologists in collaboration and are not paying more than they would if they were working with one psychologist. Using a team testing model, that has traditionally been limited to clinic settings, we bring together complimentary skills, diverse training and 20+ years each of assessment and diagnostic experience. The benefit is you have the precision, compassion, and experience of two licensed psychologists.

What can I expect?

You will have several meetings – some with both of us and some with us individually. These meetings will include clinical information gathering as well as actual “testing” time. Once we have interpreted and synthesized the data, we will write a comprehensive report that includes practical, specific and individualized recommendations. This last step typically takes approximately three weeks; at which time we will meet for feedback and review the findings and answer any questions you may have. We are always happy to meet with other members of the team and/or family as well.

We have designed our evaluation model with a degree of flexibility to accommodate different needs and levels of comfort. With many private practice offices still closed, and some planning on remaining remote, our model offers a hybrid of both in person and remote assessment.

Will my insurance pay for it?

We will be considered “out of network providers” by your insurance company (e.g. we are paid directly by the client.) We will provide a receipt with the appropriate codes so that you can submit the bills directly to your insurance company.