Overview

It is not always clear what is underlying an emotional, cognitive, or behavioral problem.  For example, a child who is disruptive in class may be given a wide variety of potential diagnoses (or explanations) for their behavior.  Teachers may believe it is the result of “bad parenting,” a principal may think the child is “acting out,” and the parents may believe their child is overly sensitive.  Instead, the problem may be related to a developmental disorder, a learning problem, school bullying, anxiety, a traumatic event, or a whole host of other concerns.  Without a correct understanding the child is at risk for misdiagnosis, ineffective treatment, and poor outcomes in school, home, and into adulthood.  Similar circumstances may occur in determining treatment options for adults with psychological difficulties, in hiring decisions for high-risk occupations or procedures, or in deciding if someone should be referred to a physician for medical evaluation and possible medication.

Similar to how a physician orders a blood test or CT scan to understand what is causing someone’s fatigue or joint pain, psychologists use psychological tests to better understand what may be causing emotional or behavioral problems.  Simply by interviewing a person, observing their behavior during various structured and unstructured tasks, and having them and those who know them answer surveys, a psychologist can identify the root of concerns and develop a plan for treating them. There is very good evidence to suggest that psychological tests predict outcomes just as well as—and sometimes better than—many common medical assessments including Pap smears, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and electrocardiograms (EKGs; Meyer et al., 2001). There is little doubt today that psychological assessments are valid and reliable predictors of human thought, emotion, and behavior (Clay, 2006).

What to expect

In the initial, free consultation we will ask a range of questions to get a better sense of your goals for testing, the specific referral questions, how you hope to use the results, and whom you hope to communicate them to. During the initial assessment we will conduct clinical interviews with you and/or your family members and describe to you the specific testing to be done, the estimated time requirement for such testing, and the estimated costs to you in the form of a good faith estimate. We charge an hourly fee of $250 for all professional services including testing, report writing, feedback, and any communication with outside parties lasting more than 15-minutes in length (fees are pro-rated at 15-minute increments). In the least complicated case, you might expect total fees to be in the range of $500 - $1000. In more complex cases requiring substantial testing, document review, and collateral contact, total fees may exceed $4,500. You will always receive an itemized list documenting the exact nature of all professional activities and associated fees.

To schedule a free consultation, please don’t hesitate to contact us by e-mail, phone, or by our secure portal. We sincerely look forward to partnering with you.