Psychological & Neuropsychological Assessments

Psychological assessment is often helpful in understanding the strengths and challenges someone may have in their cognitive, behavioral, and emotional functioning. The psychological assessment process allows for diagnostic clarity and individualized recommendations. We are happy to offer psychological for adults, as well as children. Often, children who are struggling with academic work, social interactions, and emotion regulation have atypical neurological development that can be identified through psychological assessment. This allows for parents, teachers, and therapists to provide intervention and accommodations needed to allow each child to reach their potential. Your child’s school, pediatrician, or mental health provider may refer you, but a professional referral is not necessary for testing.  

Depending on the presenting concerns, the psychological assessment may include several domains including cognitive, academic, neurodevelopmental and social-emotional. Testing activities can include a variety of questions, puzzles, drawings, and stories as well as some school-like tasks like reading, writing and math.

The assessment process includes an initial intake, during which pertinent historical and familiar information is gathered. This is followed by the testing, during which the assessment takes place, and finally a feedback session where results and recommendations will be discussed.

Preparing your child for testing will minimize anxiety and encourage cooperation. Your child may wonder why she/he are having these “tests” and is there something “wrong” with him or her. We want your child to be as comfortable, motivated and relaxed as possible on the day of testing. Here are some helpful ways to prepare your child:

·  Try to avoid using the word “test” as this tends to provoke anxiety in school-aged children.

·  Listen to your child’s concerns, and be as open and honest about the assessment process as possible.

·  Reassure your child that the testing will help you to understand what they are experiencing, and that testing is not unusual—other children participate in testing too.

·  Explain that children learn in different ways and that testing will help parents and teachers understand how she/he learns best.

Your evaluating psychologist can address any additional concerns you or your child may have about the assessment process.

Psychological testing involves administration, scoring, and interpretation of tests; it also requires the psychologist to prepare a written report and meet with parents to review the results. The cost for a full assessment is determined by the total number of hours required by the psychologist(s) to complete the full evaluation process from testing time, to results review session with you. The cost of testing varies depending on the battery of tests required and will be determined during your intake evaluation.

If paying out-of-network or privately, a partial payment of 50% is required on the day of testing, with the balance due at your results review appointment. If we will be billing your insurance, the "patient portion" (copay, coinsurance or an applicable deductible) will be due at the start of your appointments.