Psychological Evaluation

You know something needs to change – but what?

Family, friends, and teachers tell you your child or teen needs help. Perhaps you are concerned that they seem to struggle with low mood, irritability, outbursts, worries, and fears, or maybe you realized something is not OK but can’t put your finger on it.

People might be suggesting labels and diagnoses, some of which sound scary. Those suggestions make you wonder – “What might it mean if my child has this difficulty? How will it impact them? What can I do to fix it?”

Maybe people keep telling you that they notice you are struggling. Perhaps you saw people on TikTok or Instagram sharing their experiences, which resonated with you.

Perhaps you’ve felt different or off for a long time and are ready to figure out what’s going on and what might help you live a more authentic, engaged life.

Evaluation can help us identify the best next steps to take.

Psychological evaluation, also called assessment or psychological testing, can help us get to know our kiddos or ourselves in a way that points to the next best steps for us to take.

When we do an evaluation, it’s like detective work: someone calls us in with a question or concern they need evidence to answer, and we start looking for clues. We use clinical interviews, specialized testing, and data from research and experience to gather information specific to our questions.

Questions might include – “I’m having a hard time with planning, organization, and attention; do I have ADHD?” or “My child has been through some challenging things, and they are struggling in school, with peers, and fighting a lot at home; is this trauma or depression or something else?” And, of course, the all-important question is, “Whatever is happening – what do we do NEXT?”

Once we have the necessary information, we can answer your questions and help you (and your child) better understand what is happening and ways to help.

Will we get a diagnosis?

Evaluation usually involves giving diagnostic labels, especially if insurance pays for the assessment or there is a need for services and support for specific concerns.

Insurance often covers very little in the way of psychological evaluation. Generally, it requires a referral from a primary care provider, therapist, or psychiatrist and a clear, specific question that the evaluation should answer.

Comprehensive evaluations are rarely covered by insurance, and we can work together to develop a plan to meet your or your child’s needs. I also accept private pay for evaluations.

When you pay out-of-pocket for an evaluation, a diagnosis may not be the goal; instead, the focus can be entirely on identifying the next steps for you, your child, or your family.

Why should you seek an evaluation with me?

I have extensive training and experience in assessing individuals across the lifespan, focusing on those aged 5 to 25. Since 2008, I have conducted assessments in schools, hospitals, treatment centers, foster care, and the community.

One of my primary focuses is helping those with complicated histories. Many questions find answers through what’s called comprehensive assessment – gathering and bringing together a lot of information in all areas of life to figure out how all the different aspects of a person, their environment, and their past work together to lead to the questions we have now.

Areas I regularly evaluate include the following: intelligence, academic achievement, giftedness, those neurotypes labeled as neurodevelopmental disorders (including Autism and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), personality, trauma, anxiety, and mood and behavioral concerns (e.g., mood disorders, depressive disorders, oppositional-defiance, conduct disorders). I have experience with special education evaluations in Texas and working with teachers and schools to develop intervention plans for students with various needs and educational or social-emotional challenges.

Please call today if you are interested in completing an evaluation or received a recommendation to seek an evaluation for yourself, your child, or your teen.