Adult Psychological Assessment

Psychological assessment is a structured process to answer questions about behavioral patterns that impact someone’s day to day life. The assessment will look for a client’s personal strengths and challenges and how these impact their life.

I provide assessments in the following areas:

  • Intelligence, including Intellectual Disability

  • Executive Functioning (including ADHD)

  • Autism

  • Depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder

  • Learning issues

Exceptions:

I do not complete assessments for serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder or diagnose substance abuse disorders.

I do not conduct forensic assessments to be used in a legal proceedings such as competency reviews.

What it typically includes

  • Clinical interview — a detailed conversation covering current concerns, personal and family history, medical and psychiatric history, substance use, relationships, work/school functioning, and life stressors.

  • Behavioral observations — how the person presents, communicates, and engages during testing.

  • Standardized testing, which, depending on the referral question, might include:

    • Intelligence/cognitive skills(e.g., reasoning, processing speed, working memory)

    • Academic skills (reading, math, writing)

    • Attention and executive functioning

    • Social-emotional and behavioral functioning

    • Specific tools for autism, trauma, or mood disorders

    • Collateral information — sometimes input from a partner, family member, or records (medical, psychiatric, employment), with the person's consent.

    • Self-report questionnaires — the client typically completes these electronically

What comes out of an assessment?

  • Report - A thorough written report describing findings and specific recommendations will be ready within six weeks of the last testing session.

  • Feedback session – a meeting of up to an hour to explain assessment results and answer questions.

The report from the assessment can be submitted to Vocational Rehabilitation, Social Security Administration, or other agencies as appropriate.

How long does this all take?

  • The one-on-one testing will take up to four hours per session.  The client always has the opportunity to take breaks as needed. 

  • Most of the time, the one-on-one testing can be completed in one session.  For more complex questions, a second session may be needed.