Psychological Testing and Evaluations

A psychological evaluation can provide an understanding of problems affecting a child, adolescent, or adult in their academic, social, emotional, or workplace functioning. A thorough assessment of cognitive and social-emotional functioning provides the best overall picture for a client. In some instances a client may seek an evaluation in only one area, such as emotional functioning or academic (cognitive) functioning. In these situations testing and feedback addresses the area of focus for the client. A counselor or therapist may suggest that a client have a psychological evaluation in order to confirm a diagnosis or to guide therapeutic treatment. Schools will sometimes recommend that parents seek an evaluation for a daughter or son to determine the nature of the child's difficulties.

Intellectual Evaluation: Assessing intellectual abilities and achievement is more complex than the mere search for an IQ score. It involves formal tests which usually reveal primary features such as: a profile of intellectual strengths and weaknesses, unique learning styles, factors that interfere with learning, and strategies for improving performance with educational or intellectual tasks.

Social-Emotional Evaluation: Assessment in this area includes: how well a person relates with others, self-esteem, communication patterns, level of stress, ways of handling emotions, personality features and temperament as well as an assessment of emotional distress. Assessment methods will include background history, a clinical interview, self-report questionnaires, and projective tests such as the Rorschach Inkblot test or the Thematic Apperception Test.

Pre-assessment Interview: In an initial interview a client has the opportunity to describe issues of concern that will become the focus of the evaluation. A testing psychologist will recommend the types of tests that could be used and provide an overview of what to expect in terms of testing, fees, time schedule, and feedback procedures. The evaluation chosen for each client are influenced by the age and needs of the particular client and the areas of concern or problems. Parents of children and adolescents have the opportunity to voice their concerns in this interview. Parents are encouraged to bring older children and adolescents to the Pre-assessment Interview.

Feedback: A few weeks after testing, the client sits down with the testing psychologist to receive an explanation of the evaluation, the diagnoses, and the recommendations. The client receives a written report and may request it be shared with specific persons or institutions.

Comprehensive Student Assessment Team

Students' difficulties in learning, behavior, emotions, or peer relationships are more evident through observation of the student in the classroom and interviews with teachers. A diagnostic team at West County Psychological Associates can conduct a Comprehensive Student Assessment. The assessment would include an on-site observation of the student in the school and classroom, consultation interviews with teachers and parents, educational and psychological testing, a thorough written report with recommendations, and a feedback session for school staff and parents.

Assessment and Testing Brochure (PDF 27KB)

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Will the experience of a psychological evaluation label me or my child in a way that lowers self-esteem?

While the stigma of psychological services concerns most people, many adults find that understanding what the nature of a problem is reduces anxiety and offers strategies to lessen negative interference in daily functioning. Prior to an evaluation, a psychologist can explain to a client that the evaluation is simply a way to find out if there are ways to help him or her more effectively.

Sometimes parents feel that the need for a psychological evaluation may reflect poorly on them as a parent. That is not at all the intent of an evaluation; its purpose is to help a child and his/her parent(s) to function and interact as effectively as possible. The best way to help a child is to help the child understand and deal with a particular problem. Ignoring academic, emotional, or behavioral problems suggests to a child or teen that nothing can be done, and it may give a problem greater scope to cause interference in a young person's life.

How do you know if a psychological evaluation is going to help and worth the cost?

The testing psychologist can advise you in the initial conversations on the phone and in the pre-assessment interview. From a description of the presenting concern and problem, the psychologist can determine whether psychological testing will be useful. The recommendations provided in the psychological report are helpful to children, parents, teachers, as well as adult clients who seek an evaluation.

What about insurance for psychological testing?

West County Psychological Associates will provide clients with information about psychological testing to submit to their insurance carrier. Clients should call their insurance carrier prior to testing to gather information about what the insurance will cover. In many cases the insurance company requires giving approval prior to psychological testing services. West County Psychological will give a client an invoice to submit to their insurance carrier.

When is payment due for the psychological evaluation?

At the feedback session payment is expected. If a client chooses not to pay in full at that time, the client may pay an agreed upon amount on that day and pay the remainder in six-monthly installments. A payment plan form and schedule is provided to the client.