Testing and Assessment Services
Please note: Due to COVID-19, there is currently a wait list for psychological testing
Please read our policies regarding Psychological Testing and Assessment Services.
Psychological Testing
Though it may sound intimidating, psychological testing is simply a way for us to diagnose what may be causing symptoms. This is very similar to what a medical doctor may do when running tests for a physical ailment. Through a combination of techniques performed by a licensed psychologist, testing helps us to determine a hypothesis for why a person may be distressed as well as to assess their behavior, capabilities and potential.
Substance Abuse Evaluations
When it is suspected that an individual’s use of drugs or alcohol has moved beyond recreational use, substance abuse testing can provide the necessary facts. Testing is used to detect both psychological and physical signs of drug abuse. This usually involves a conversation regarding past drug use, along with blood, urine or hair sample testing. The evaluation will help both the clinician and the patient assess what areas of his or her life have been affected by drug use and what changes can be made.
Educational Testing
Educational testing is designed to provide information to a psychologist as to how an individual processes and works through information in an educational setting. They are used to determine any underlying disorders and the severity of impairment. Through this, we identify learning disabilities and problems with information processing or neurological dysfunction. We’ll determine how the disability may be impacting the individual and what they need to improve.
Diagnostic Clarity
This type of assessment typically involves a thorough examination of mood and personality factors through standard psychological tests that can aid in determining psychological diagnoses to better inform treatment.
ADHD Testing
Assessments for Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder are available for both children and adults, and include diagnosis and recommendations for educational accommodations and/or treatment approaches.
Autism Spectrum Disorder Testing
Autism spectrum disorder assessments involve interviews and standard tests to examine social, communicative, and emotional functioning as well as behaviors common to the diagnosis, and often include examination of cognitive abilities/intellectual functioning. Assessments for Autism-Spectrum Disorder are available for children and adults with the use of the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised. Please call your insurance company to see if they accept this test in order to cover therapeutic services for autism.
Pre-surgical Assessment
Often, mental health professionals are asked to screen patients prior to surgery to assess their ability to successfully rehabilitate after the surgery is performed. A successful surgery does not rely on the skill of the surgeon alone. The patient’s emotional and health-related behaviors, and ability to comply with a treatment regimen, play a big role in the effectiveness of the procedure. Our office works with others in the medical profession to ensure that patients are given the type of treatments they are most likely to be able to handle emotionally as well as to reduce risk that their physical or psychological conditions are made worse. This type of assessment spans a variety of surgical procedures, including, but not limited to bariatric assessment, spinal cord stimulator surgeries, and gender affirming surgery.
Bariatric Assessment
This is an evaluation that determines whether this type of surgery is appropriate for a patient at this point in time. Bariatric surgery requires that a patient significantly change their relationship with food and other behavioral changes. Patients are educated as to how they will need to change, and it will be determined if they are healthy enough and psychologically ready for the surgery.
Pain Assessment
These evaluations can be used for determining what types of surgery, treatments, or procedures may be helpful for managing chronic pain. A common assessment in this category is spinal cord stimulator surgery. Candidates for this pain management approach are typically referred for a psychological assessment in order to determine their psychological readiness for the procedure.
Gender Affirming Surgery
These evaluations can be used to assist those preparing to undergo surgery that affirms their gender identity, and focuses on psychological preparedness for these procedures. Gender affirming surgery involves procedures designed to bring congruence to gender identity and bodily characteristics, and is sometimes referred to as gender reassignment surgery or gender confirmation surgery. Our clinicians follow the standards of care from the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) and commit to providing a safe and welcoming environment.
Appropriateness of Medication Approaches
At times, medical providers will request that their patient be assessed for the appropriateness of certain medications, such as stimulants or narcotics. Candidates for this assessment battery typically will undergo clinical and personality testing, pain assessments and other screeners.
Geropsychological Assessments
Geropsychiatry is a subspecialty that focuses on the physical and emotional health of senior adults. It concerns the psychiatric aspects of aging and related mental disorders. Often faced with changes in lifestyle, emotional loss and medical problems, this age group has unique psychological needs. An assessment may be used when behavior has changed that interferes with the care of a senior or their quality of life. The information gleaned from the assessment is used to help family and professional caregivers to create a plan to better meet their needs.
Memory Testing
Memory testing is used to measure basic cognitive function with regards to short and long term recall. A clinical cognitive assessment may include an evaluation of attention, concentration, language processing and executive function.