What is Psychological Testing?

Psychological assessment is a process used to create a comprehensive understanding of the psychological challenges that a person is facing. A psychologist will use a variety of tests (measures), observation, and interviews with you and other people close to you to inform the assessment. Psychological testing is typically only conducted by providers who have a doctorate degree in psychology with several years’ training in administration and interpretation of complex clinical data.

The purpose of a psychological assessment may vary, but some of the most common reasons are to provide a clear diagnosis, to provide information about the underlying “roots” of one’s problems, to increase personal understanding of what contributes or maintains mental health challenges and “stuck points” in life. Psychological testing provides more information than can typically be gained across several office visits, and many times provides information that cannot be gained by any other means. Psychological assessments are beneficial for most patients’ care.

What are the benefits of psychological testing?

Psychological testing is similar to other medical testing in that it provides information that allows your treatment team to create a treatment plan tailored to your unique challenges and patterns. It also provides information that you and your treatment team can reference in the future in ongoing treatment, or it can provide a baseline of how you are performing in case something changes in the future. Psychological testing can help different types of treatment providers or different settings create consistency between treatment plans and accommodations. Like other medical treatments, it is difficult to create an adequate treatment program without a comprehensive picture of symptoms or diagnoses, which is what a psychological assessment can provide. Additionally, periodic re-assessment allows for the monitoring of treatment progress and adjustments to interventions, ensuring therapy remains on the most effective path.

What types of testing do you provide?

As a clinical psychologist specializing in comprehensive psychological assessments, my primary goal is to help individuals gain a deeper understanding of the core issues driving their distress and provide them with valuable therapeutic feedback. I offer various types of testing services to both adolescents (16+) and adults, including personality assessments, ADHD evaluations, and cognitive testing. Each of these evaluations serves a distinct purpose, such as exploring individual traits and vulnerabilities, identifying attention deficits and hyperactivity, and assessing cognitive abilities and intellectual functioning.

How do I start the process?

For those interested in undergoing psychological testing, the process typically begins with an initial consultation. During this meeting, we sit down together to discuss your goals and concerns, allowing us to tailor the assessment approach accordingly. The duration of the assessment varies based on the type and scope of testing required, typically ranging from 7 to 12 hours. Clients will receive a cost estimate after this goal discussion.

Following the assessment phase, clients participate in a feedback session where we dive deep into the assessment results and findings. The collaborative approach allows us to have an in-depth discussion where you can offer feedback and clarification, while also asking questions. This ensures that you have a deeper understanding of the testing outcomes. Finally, you will receive a written report detailing the assessment results, offering valuable insights that can be shared with your treatment team or used for further exploration in therapy.

Contact Alpenglow with any further questions or to get started with the process of a psychological assessment.