Using a combination of methods, our psychologists thoroughly evaluate one’s cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning, to understand a person’s psychological profile, and identify current and potential problems. The primary goal is gaining a broad understanding of an individual’s psychological state, including strengths, weaknesses, and mental health concerns. Assessments like this use several methods, including Obtaining a Developmental History, Clinical Interviews, Psychological Testing (standardized tests), Observations, Record Reviews, Collateral Information (from parents, teachers, spouses, previous assessments, or current professional caregivers.
Provide Mental Health Diagnoses, If present
Create Treatment Plans: Develop individualized plans to address needs, including school accommodations and modifications
Tailored Recommendations: Specific research-based interventions, therapies, or supports
Brief psychological assessments are limited in scope and focused on one or two issues. They’re done for diagnostic purposes or to guide treatment. Brief assessments do not require an extensive report. An adult ADHD assessment is a good example; an adult patient wants to know if they meet criteria for ADHD for counseling or medication purposes, or as a referral from a psychiatric provider. A second example is finding out if a young child needs family, parenting, individual, or other treatments. A final example could be clarifying treatment effects, and to see if changes have been made.
Our psychologists try to make every assessment as brief and cost effective as possible. Yet, the situation may require a more in-depth assessment to answer the clinical questions, and meet published guidelines from vocational situations, or agency, college, testing group, or university guidelines.
All comprehensive neuropsychological and comprehensive psychological assessments are tailored based on several facts. The first is always “Who is the patient?” Answering this seemingly simple question can limit who and when assessment information is received. Adult patients may seek assessments at their own discretion or at the urging of a spouse. Parents of minor child may ask to have their child assessed to aid the school in understanding their learn style. A court, or government agency may direct a person to have an assessment. An example of the latter is when a person, formerly diagnosed with depression, applies to the Peace Corp. They seek an assessment to determine they are depression free, and there is little probability a depressive episode will return while the person is deployed overseas.
Our psychologists tailor each evaluation to your goals and clinical questions, the patient’s age and functional developmental level, and those current conditions necessitating the assessment. Our psychologists make every assessment as brief and cost effective as possible. Yet, the situation may require more in-depth assessments to answer clinical questions, and meet published guidelines from vocational situations, or agency, college, testing group, or university guidelines.
Bright students can face challenges in school. Many struggle managing complex homework or keeping pace with reading or essays. Others read/write well, but are frustrated with math. Still others have good skills, but still don’t get work done though they spend all evening at it. Some students become discouraged, anxious, angry or depressed.
Comprehensive neuropsychological or psychological assessments can tell you what stands in the way of academic success and can give tailored recommendations (including extended time on tests, for students who qualify) to help turn situations around.
Often students experiencing academic issues conclude they are simply not smart, become discouraged, or stop trying. Uncovering and explaining student’s strengths helps students, parents and teachers a new way to understand why some things remain hard even though the student is intelligent. This fosters students’ belief in their capabilities (academic self-efficacy) and this increases their efforts and their frustration tolerance even with tough situations. It helps students know that even if it takes them a long time, their hard work leads somewhere positive.
For some children, teens, or young adults, the main problem is not academic. Anxiety, depression and anger cause distress and disruption for kids and families. Often, treatment or coaching can help solve problems.
