Psychological Assessment
Services
Psychological Testing Overview
Comprehensive psychological testing involves administering, scoring, and interpreting psychological tests, as well as providing a clear and detailed report of findings and recommendations. It is useful in determining or clarifying the psychological basis for behavior, diagnoses, informing medical and/or mental health treatment options, assisting in possible educational aide, and much more. There are several different types of testing that our practice offers. We provide full psychological, psycho-educational, and pre-employment/fitness testing services. Other specific types of assessment may be available. Please contact us to discuss your specific needs.
We do not require referrals for psychological testing. However, if you have been referred for a specific purpose please let us know, as this will aid in our ability to provide the necessary information and documentation.
Types of Assessment
-
Psychological testing tends to be more comprehensive, yet tailored to the referral question(s). This type of testing may include various cognitive, emotional, behavioral, social, and adaptive assessment measures. An individual may seek psychological testing to provide an accurate diagnosis or understand the basis of their behaviors. For instance, many behaviors may look like Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), but in fact be better explained by anxiety, trauma, oppositional/defiant behavior, or an organic medical condition. Understanding the underlying basis for behavior can better inform treatment options.
-
Psycho-educational testing typically involves academic, intellectual, adaptive, and other types of assessments depending on the referral question(s). For instance, parents may request this type of testing to determine whether their child has a specific type of learning disability such as dyslexia (reading), dysgraphia (writing), or dyscalculia (mathematics). Parents are encouraged to share the evaluation results with schools and medical providers. Recommendations are customized to each individual.
-
Some employers (particularly those in public safety, defense, and sensitive governmental fields) require applicants to undergo a pre-employment psychological evaluation to assess their emotional stability and mental fitness for the position. Specific requirements and psychological test batteries are determined based on employer requirements.
What to expect in a psychological assessment
Before your first meeting, an SMHP staff member will speak with you about the reason for the psychological assessment request, who is needing the information (and copies of the report), the capacity of the client to complete the testing, payment source, and other important issues. Some basic information will be collected at that time, including a valid e-mail address, so we can send you a link to the secure Client Portal where you will complete the necessary initial paperwork online. You will be required to enter valid credit card information which will be kept on file throughout the testing process. If you wish to pay using another method, please discuss this with a staff member at the onset of the assessment.
On the initial date of testing, the psychologist will conduct a clinical diagnostic interview, wherein a full history is taken of your symptoms as well as other medical, psychological, academic, vocational, and social concerns. You will be scheduled to complete testing measures (either in session with your psychologist or online via the testing portal). If you are the parent/legal guardian of a child or adolescent undergoing psychological testing, you will be required to attend the first session in order to provide proper legal consent, as well as important background information and perspectives.
Your therapist will provide you with a proposed testing schedule and an estimated quote for assessment services following the initial intake interview session, after selecting tests based on your evaluation needs. This estimate will include the cost of all testing materials and billable hours, for which the standard fee is $200.00/hour. Occasionally, this estimate must be adjusted during the course of testing (changes to testing battery, complexity, etc.). These changes will be communicated to you in writing and any necessary billing adjustments will be made. You will be charged $200.00 on the day of your initial intake interview for the cost of this session. If any additional testing or measures are given in the first session, your account will also be charged for these fees. This amount will be deducted from the total assessment fee, should you agree to continue with the assessment.
Psychological assessment and evaluation is a complicated and time consuming process. A full psychological assessment can, on average, range between 8 to 12 hours and depends on the areas of need. All psychological assessments are unique and sometimes require additional tests beyond the usual protocols. The psychological assessment is typically divided into separate work sessions of several hours each.
Upon completion of the testing, the psychologist spends several hours scoring and interpreting the tests, reviewing any relevant records, and writing up the psychological evaluation report. Much of this specialized work is done behind the scenes but is part of the cost of the evaluation. In most cases, a final written report can be provided within 2-4 weeks after completion of the assessment battery. Please note, no specific guarantees are made about the results/recommendations of the evaluation (including diagnoses) or the number of sessions necessary for the psychological assessment to be completed. Once the report is complete, your psychologist will schedule a feedback session with you to review and discuss the results. In this session, you will be given a copy of the finalized report. If you need the report to be sent to a third party, you will be required to complete a Release of Information form before the report is sent to any other provider, employer, or agency. Unless otherwise agreed upon in writing, the minimum amount due is equal to one half of the quoted total assessment fee. The remaining balance is due by the final day of testing. The final report will not be released until balance is paid in full.
Failure to give proper 24 hour cancellation notice will result in a charge and may also jeopardize the ability to schedule any future psychological assessment appointments.