FAQs

Frequency Asked Questions and Answers:

What kind of questions can the psychological assessment answer? 
Psychological assessments can answer questions related to school and work (e.g., “What are my cognitive strengths and weaknesses?” “Do I have ADHD?” “Do I have a learning disability?” “Am I intellectually gifted?” “What is my IQ?”). Additionally, many clients use these assessments to gain insights into aspects of their lives that are troubling and puzzling (e.g. “What is interfering with my ability to connect with other people?” “Do I have Bipolar Disorder?” “What impact is my past trauma having on my overall functioning?”). These evaluations can provide diagnostic clarification and recommendations for treatment, helping you better understand your unique challenges.

What happens during a psychological assessment? 
During the assessment, we begin by formulating questions you want to address. I will gather a detailed history and I ask specific questions about your presenting concerns. With your permission, I may also speak with others who can offer additional insights into your situation. We will then complete a variety of psychological tests designed to answer your assessment questions. Once the assessment is complete, we will discuss the results of your testing and how they relate to your questions. You will also receive a written report or letter detailing your results and recommendations.

How much does an assessment cost? 
The fees for an assessment vary, depending on the type of evaluation you are considering. For a general idea of costs, please visit the services/fees tab on this website. Once we determine your specific needs for the assessment, I will provide you with a fee for the entire assessment. Typically, I request that half of the assessment fee be paid at the first session and the remaining half at the last testing session.

What is the process like if I work with one of your doctoral students?
In my practice, I supervise advanced doctoral students who conduct psychological evaluations. These clinicians already hold Master’s degrees in clinical psychology and are completing advanced doctoral training. If you choose to work with one of them, they will administer the testing, and I will collaborate closely with them to analyze the results and write your report. There are several benefits to this option. First, it typically allows for a shorter wait time to begin your assessment, as much of my personal schedule is occupied by the administrative demands of running the practice alongside my own clinical caseload. Second, you receive the benefit of having two minds working on your case. I am involved in every step of the process, meeting regularly with the student to discuss each session, review scores, interpret data, and co-author the final report, ensuring your evaluation meets the highest standards.

Do you take insurance? 
I am no longer in-network with any insurance panels. However, you may still be eligible for reimbursement from your insurance provider. At the end of the assessment, I can provide you with a detailed billing statement that includes the necessary information such as billing codes, diagnosis code, and my license number. I always recommend that you ask your insurance company for information regarding out of network benefits prior to testing, as each insurance plan is different. Some types of assessments, like giftedness testing, may not be covered by insurance. After being an in-network provider for two insurance panels, I chose to terminate my contracts due to the significant time and energy required to manage insurance claims.

What is Collaborative / Therapeutic Assessment? 
Collaborative / Therapeutic Assessment is an approach that uses psychological tests and a collaborative assessment method to help clients achieve better mental health. Many clients find that these assessments be profoundly impactful. In this approach, I consider myself the expert on the assessment tools, while you are the expert on yourself. Together, we work collaboratively to integrate the assessment results with your experience of yourself, to answer your assessment questions together and help you move forward.

Do you perform autism testing?
If autism is the primary question you want to address, I recommend seeking an evaluator who specializes in that area, as highly focused autism evaluations often require more specific diagnostic measures. However, if autism is a secondary question, for example, if we are primarily evaluating for ADHD or a learning disability, but you also wonder about the possibility of autism, I can help. In these cases, I can include additional measures and keep this question in mind while working to ensure we are looking at the whole picture. I will share my clinical insights with you and may still provide a diagnosis if the data is clear, though I may still recommend a specialized evaluation if the results suggest a need for more specialized testing.

Do you perform neuropsychological evaluations?
No, I am a licensed psychologist, not a neuropsychologist. While the terms “neuropsychological evaluation” and “psychoeducational assessment” are often used interchangeably, they serve different purposes. A neuropsychological evaluation is typically necessary if there is a known or suspected medical issue affecting the brain (such as a history of seizures, genetic conditions, dementia, or stroke) or a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI/concussion), as it looks at specific brain-behavior relationships like detailed memory or motor functioning. If your primary concerns are related to learning profiles, academic struggles, a possible learning disorder, attention/ADHD, or emotional and diagnostic clarification, my services would be a good fit for you. My evaluations focus on comprehensive cognitive, academic, and emotional functioning, and I specialize in learning disability and ADHD testing. If you are unsure which type of evaluation you need, we can discuss this further; if we determine that your needs fall outside my scope of practice, for example, if a medical condition is identified that requires specialized neurological testing, I will provide you with referrals.