What is Psychological Assessment?
Psychological assessment is a process that begins with a specific concern or question about the patient's thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and/or functioning. Testing clinicians then uses a set of tests and interviews to gather information about the patient's functioning in the areas of concern. This helps generate understanding about the patient's unique pattern of strengths and weaknesses. We can then offer diagnoses and share detailed recommendations about how to address difficulties and leverage strengths.
Who is Appropriate for Assessment?
Our provider(s) have experience assessing toddlers, children, adolescents, adults, and older adults for a variety of concerns. Individuals may seek an assessment due to their own concerns or they may be referred by a professional, such as a doctor, teacher, psychiatrist, etc.
What are the Benefits of Assessment?
Assessment can be useful for identifying strengths and weaknesses, clarifying diagnoses, and informing treatment planning. As a result of each assessment, our clinician(s) provide a comprehensive list of recommendations to help individuals, their families, and providers (doctors, specialists, schools, employers, etc.) implement accommodations, treatments, and supports to optimize the individual’s functioning.
What Can I Expect During an Assessment?
First, an initial interview is used to determine the referral question, obtain background information, and select a set of tests to help answer the referral question. Second, the patient will meet with our clinician(s) for a testing session. Third, data collected will be scored, interpreted, and summarized into a comprehensive report, which includes diagnoses and recommendations. Finally, the clinician will meet with the individual to discuss findings, diagnoses, and recommendations.
What Problems Can Spectrus Assess?
Problems which our clinician(s) have experience assessing include (but are not limited to):
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism/Neurodivergence, Anxiety Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, Communication Delays, Conduct and Impulse Control Disorders, Depressive Disorders, Gender Incongruence, Learning Disorders, Neurocognitive Disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Personality Integration, Schizophrenia Disorders, and Traumatic Stress. We can also provide psychoeducational testing to assess for Specific Learning Disorders.
What is the Cost of Assessment?
Currently, we are in-network with multiple insurance plans and we accept private pay and out of network benefits. The cost of testing can be determined during an initial clinical interview, once a set of tests have been selected to meet the patient's needs. If patients have financial responsibility for testing, half the fee for testing is due at the start of the first testing session and the balance is due at the start of the final feedback session. Reduced cost testing can be provided by doctoral interns. For more information, please reach out for more information. Individuals using their insurance benefits can also reach out to their insurance company and ask about coverage for psychological and neuropsychological testing.
When Can I Expect Assessement Results?
Feedback sessions are typically scheduled 2 weeks after the testing appointment(s). During this meeting patients can review the findings of their testing with the diagnosing clinician. We are currently working to streamline test report writing process. This involves the creating a standard of offering a full-comprehensive test report, a summary report, a diagnostic verification document, and we offer our clients addendum documents to support follow up on recommendations and treatment planning. We are working to ensure the best quality, detailed reports in a timely manner.