Psychological Assessments
A psychological assessment goes beyond a diagnosis. It provides a comprehensive picture of how you think, process, and respond, giving you and your treatment providers a clearer and more accurate foundation to work from.
Assessments are available to Arizona residents only, with appointments offered in person in Anthem and via secure telehealth. If you were referred by another provider, I will coordinate directly with them to ensure the results are communicated clearly and promptly.
Diagnostic Evaluations
A diagnostic evaluation is for anyone who has been struggling with something significant but does not yet have a clear understanding of what is driving it. It brings together clinical interviewing and psychological testing to create a comprehensive picture of what is happening and why, leading to a diagnosis and a more targeted treatment approach.
Areas commonly assessed include ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, disruptive behaviors, motivation and concentration difficulties, communication problems, relationship difficulties, and complex psychosocial or behavioral concerns that have been difficult to diagnose clearly. Personality assessment is often incorporated into the diagnostic clarification process when a clearer understanding of character patterns, emotional functioning, or behavioral tendencies is relevant to the evaluation.
A standard evaluation involves a single three-hour appointment. The first 90 minutes is a clinical interview covering your history, symptoms, and concerns in depth. The second 90 minutes is used to complete psychological questionnaires.
For more extensive evaluations, particularly those involving ADHD or Autism Spectrum Disorder, additional testing beyond the standard appointment may be recommended. This is not always necessary, and the need for it will be discussed with you at the end of the clinical interview so you have a clear picture of what to expect before committing to any additional time or cost. All diagnostic evaluations include a 30-minute feedback session at no additional cost to review results, discuss findings, and outline recommended next steps.
Pre-Operative Evaluation
A pre-operative evaluation assesses your psychological readiness for surgery and identifies any factors that could affect your outcome or recovery. The results are shared directly with your surgical team to help ensure the best possible outcome before you proceed.
Pre-operative evaluations are available for clients seeking bariatric surgery or spinal cord stimulation. The process involves a clinical interview, psychological testing, and a written report sent directly to your surgeon. The appointment is typically 45 to 60 minutes, followed by one to two hours of testing, and is usually completed in a single session.
These evaluations are most often requested by your surgeon or medical provider rather than self-referred. Results are communicated directly to your surgical team and a feedback session is not included. If a follow-up appointment is needed it will be discussed with you and scheduled at an additional cost.
To ensure the most accurate results, you should be both medically and psychologically stable at the time of the evaluation.
Intelligence Testing
Intelligence testing provides a comprehensive picture of how you think and process information, identifying cognitive strengths, areas of challenge, and patterns that may not be visible through standard academic or professional evaluation alone.
This type of evaluation is useful for adults and children alike, whether you are seeking a clearer understanding of your own cognitive profile, exploring reasons behind academic or professional difficulties, or looking for information to guide treatment or educational planning.
The process includes a clinical interview, full-scale IQ testing, and a written score report. A 30-minute feedback session is included at no additional cost, during which we review the results together and discuss what they mean in the context of your specific situation and goals.
Fitness for Duty Evaluations
A fitness for duty evaluation assesses whether an individual is psychologically prepared to safely and effectively perform the responsibilities of their role. These evaluations are most commonly requested for individuals working within or seeking placement in an agency, law enforcement, or other high-responsibility professional context.
The process follows the same general structure as a standard diagnostic evaluation, with a clinical interview, psychological testing, and a written report. Additional questionnaires specific to occupational functioning and psychological fitness are included as part of the assessment.
Evaluations may be self-referred or requested by an employer or agency. When referred by an employer or agency, the written report is sent directly to the referring organization and a feedback session is not typically included. Self-referred clients receive a 30-minute feedback session at no additional cost to review findings and discuss next steps.
Questions About Psychological Evaluations
Why have testing?
A psychological evaluation does something a standard clinical appointment cannot. It goes beyond observation and conversation to provide a documented, comprehensive picture of how you think, process, feel, and function, one that can clarify a diagnosis, rule out conditions that have been misidentified, and give everyone involved a more accurate foundation to work from.
For many people, an evaluation is the first time they have a clear and concrete explanation for something they have been struggling with for years. That clarity alone can be significant.
What to Expect During a Psychological Evaluation
Every evaluation begins with a clinical interview. This is a conversation, not an interrogation. I am gathering information about your history, your current concerns, and what has brought you to this point, and I am doing it in a way that is unhurried and respectful of how much you are comfortable sharing.
Testing follows the interview. Depending on what the evaluation requires, some tests are self-report questionnaires you complete on your own. Others involve tasks I administer directly. Neither is a pass or fail situation. There are no right or wrong answers. The goal is an accurate picture, not a performance.
The specific process for each evaluation type is described in detail above. If you have questions about what your particular evaluation will involve, reach out before your appointment and I will walk you through it.
Intake Paperwork
Before your first appointment you will receive intake paperwork through the client portal. Please complete it at least 48 hours before your scheduled session.
Psychological evaluations require a significant amount of background information to be thorough and accurate. Completing the paperwork in advance allows the clinical interview to focus on what matters most rather than covering administrative ground, which keeps your appointment time and your costs as efficient as possible.
If paperwork is not completed in time, we may need to reschedule. This is not a formality. The information you provide beforehand directly shapes the quality of your evaluation.
Cost of a psychological tests
Fees for psychological evaluations vary depending on the type of evaluation, the complexity of the case, and the time involved. Please contact me directly for information about the cost of a specific evaluation.
It is worth understanding that evaluation fees reflect more than the time we spend together in the appointment. Scoring and interpreting test results, reviewing records, and preparing a written report all require significant time outside of our sessions. That work is factored into the overall fee.
Psychological evaluations are generally not covered by most insurance plans. If you have out-of-network benefits, I can provide documentation you can submit to your insurance provider for potential reimbursement. Contact your insurance company directly to understand your coverage before scheduling.