"Every flower must grow through dirt." ~ Laurie Jean Sennott
Psychological Testing
Psychological testing is used to assess for the possible presence of psychological issues that may be impacting personal, academic, and/or professional functioning. Psychological testing can identify specific challenges as well as individual strengths, thereby providing diagnostic clarity and increasing self-knowledge and understanding. Information gained through the testing process can aid in treatment planning by suggesting appropriate interventions and beneficial treatment options. In addition, psychological testing may be required for those seeking certain treatments, such as psychostimulant medications, as well as those in need of disability accommodations for school, work, or standardized testing.
Types of Evaluations
I provide comprehensive psychiatric/personality, psychoeducational/learning disability, and neuropsychological/ADHD testing services for adults. All evaluations include an initial intake interview, testing sessions, and a feedback session to discuss the results. When relevant and available, evaluations may also include a review of past records, consultation with other providers, and contact with third-parties (e.g., parents, teachers). Evaluations culminate in a detailed report which covers testing results, interpretation, a diagnosis (if applicable), and recommendations. Additional information about each type of evaluation is provided below.
Psychiatric/Personality Evaluation: This type of evaluation includes assessment of general psychological and emotional functioning as well as personality characteristics associated with mental health and well-being. For this type of evaluation, individuals will typically complete a series of psychiatric symptom and behavior rating scales as well as personality inventories.
Psychoeducational/Learning Disability Evaluation: This type of evaluation includes assessment of cognitive and academic strengths and weaknesses in order to determine if a learning disability is impairing performance. For this type of evaluation, academic and achievement (i.e., academic skills) tests will be administered. In addition, individuals will typically complete personality inventories and psychiatric symptom and behavior rating scales to further clarify diagnosis and provide a more holistic picture of overall functioning.
Neuropsychological/ADHD Evaluation: This type of evaluation includes assessment of cognitive, academic, and neuropsychological (e.g., problem-solving, planning, organization, memory, cognitive flexibility, impulse control) strengths and weaknesses in order to determine if an attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is interfering with functioning. For this type of evaluation, academic, achievement, and neuropsychological tests will be administered. In addition, individuals will typically complete personality inventories and psychiatric symptom and behavior rating scales to further clarify diagnosis and provide a more holistic picture of overall functioning.
Types of Evaluations
I provide comprehensive psychiatric/personality, psychoeducational/learning disability, and neuropsychological/ADHD testing services for adults. All evaluations include an initial intake interview, testing sessions, and a feedback session to discuss the results. When relevant and available, evaluations may also include a review of past records, consultation with other providers, and contact with third-parties (e.g., parents, teachers). Evaluations culminate in a detailed report which covers testing results, interpretation, a diagnosis (if applicable), and recommendations. Additional information about each type of evaluation is provided below.
Psychiatric/Personality Evaluation: This type of evaluation includes assessment of general psychological and emotional functioning as well as personality characteristics associated with mental health and well-being. For this type of evaluation, individuals will typically complete a series of psychiatric symptom and behavior rating scales as well as personality inventories.
Psychoeducational/Learning Disability Evaluation: This type of evaluation includes assessment of cognitive and academic strengths and weaknesses in order to determine if a learning disability is impairing performance. For this type of evaluation, academic and achievement (i.e., academic skills) tests will be administered. In addition, individuals will typically complete personality inventories and psychiatric symptom and behavior rating scales to further clarify diagnosis and provide a more holistic picture of overall functioning.
Neuropsychological/ADHD Evaluation: This type of evaluation includes assessment of cognitive, academic, and neuropsychological (e.g., problem-solving, planning, organization, memory, cognitive flexibility, impulse control) strengths and weaknesses in order to determine if an attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is interfering with functioning. For this type of evaluation, academic, achievement, and neuropsychological tests will be administered. In addition, individuals will typically complete personality inventories and psychiatric symptom and behavior rating scales to further clarify diagnosis and provide a more holistic picture of overall functioning.
Career Testing
In addition to psychological testing, I also offer career exploration evaluations for adults, including college-aged individuals. These evaluations are informed by vocational psychology theory and principles, which indicate that individuals are most likely to be satisfied and successful in jobs that are a good "fit". Testing includes measuring and clarifying an individual's interests, knowledge/skills/abilities, personality style, and needs/values related to work. This information is then used to identify potential career paths that are compatible. Additional information is provided below.
Career Exploration Evaluation: Career exploration evaluations are conducted across five sessions. The first session includes an initial intake interview, focusing on your occupational history, general lifestyle, and goals. In addition, this session offers a brief orientation to vocational theory and the career assessment process. The second session encompasses the necessary testing including performance-based measures of ability as well as a number of self-report instruments. The next two meetings are collaborative feedback sessions, meaning that not only will I provide an interpretation of the testing results but we will also discuss what these results mean and begin exploring potential career paths together. The final session gives us an opportunity to integrate information gathered throughout the process to solidify some possible career paths and begin formulating a plan for next steps. You will also be given a written summary as part of your career exploration evaluation. This summary report includes a review of testing results and interpretation as well as an outline of the plan along with corresponding recommendations, resources, and/or referrals.
Career Exploration Evaluation: Career exploration evaluations are conducted across five sessions. The first session includes an initial intake interview, focusing on your occupational history, general lifestyle, and goals. In addition, this session offers a brief orientation to vocational theory and the career assessment process. The second session encompasses the necessary testing including performance-based measures of ability as well as a number of self-report instruments. The next two meetings are collaborative feedback sessions, meaning that not only will I provide an interpretation of the testing results but we will also discuss what these results mean and begin exploring potential career paths together. The final session gives us an opportunity to integrate information gathered throughout the process to solidify some possible career paths and begin formulating a plan for next steps. You will also be given a written summary as part of your career exploration evaluation. This summary report includes a review of testing results and interpretation as well as an outline of the plan along with corresponding recommendations, resources, and/or referrals.
Insurance and Fees
I am an out-of-network provider, which means that I am not directly contracted with any insurance companies. If you are interested in using your insurance to cover part of the cost of an evaluation, you should first contact your insurance company's member services to determine your out-of-network benefits. Please keep in mind that most insurers will not cover psychoeducational/learning disability or career exploration evaluations. In addition, some will not cover testing related to certain psychiatric issues or ADHD, or many only cover a portion of the evaluation. I am happy to help you with this process by contacting your insurance company on your behalf to find out about eligibility and to try to obtain the coverage to which you are entitled. Before proceeding with testing, we will find out what your insurance company will and will not cover and discuss your options so that you can make an informed decision about how/if you want to proceed. Services billed to insurance will be charged according to the following:
While there are benefits to using your insurance for testing services, there are also drawbacks. You always have the right to pay for my services yourself. Flat rate, self-pay evaluation packages are charged according to the following:
In addition, I do offer reduced fee rates for those with demonstrated financial need. Please contact me for additional information.
- Initial Intake Appointment (CPT Code: 90791): $200
- Test Administration fee per 1/2 hour (CPT Code 96136/96137): $90
- Test Interpretation/Report Writing fee per 1/2 hour (CPT Code 96130/96131): $90
- Feedback Session (CPT Code: 90837): $180
While there are benefits to using your insurance for testing services, there are also drawbacks. You always have the right to pay for my services yourself. Flat rate, self-pay evaluation packages are charged according to the following:
- Psychiatric/Personality Evaluation: $2500
- Psychoeducational/Learning Disability Evaluation: $2500
- Neuropsychological/ADHD Evaluation: $3500
- Career Exploration Evaluation: $1500
In addition, I do offer reduced fee rates for those with demonstrated financial need. Please contact me for additional information.
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24 S. Prospect St., Suite #104
Amherst, MA 01002 |
Phone: (413) 345-6607
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Fax: (413) 858-7653
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