Psychological Evaluations & Testing
Diagnostic Evaluation
This is a comprehensive evaluation that utilizes clinical interview and formal psychological tests to identify the most accurate diagnosis or mental health conditions for a given individual. While some mental health conditions are readily apparent, the complexity of mental health disorders often warrant a thorough examination with formal testing. With diagnoses identified, effective treatments and practitioners can better-target those conditions. Diagnostic testing is useful for both children and adults at any stage in the treatment process.
Some specific examples of diagnostic evaluations are below.
An extensive form of diagnostic testing, this evaluation seeks to answer a specific question of whether a patient suffers from attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. As one of the most over-diagnosed psychological disorders of the 21st century, particular attention is paid to symptom review, examination of executive function, and confounding variables. Patients can expect a thorough clinical interview followed by several hours of testing.
AD/HD Evaluation
Examination of Learning Disorders
Another extensive form of diagnostic testing, ideally conducted in pre-adults, this form of testing reviews an individual's capacity to learn and their achieved learning with respect to their academic level. Patients, and often family members, can expect a thorough clinical interview followed by several hours of testing. Outcomes often help with understanding long-term difficulties in a particular area of learning (reading, writing, expressive language, mathematics) and may be utilized when requesting special accommodations at schools or Universities.
As the name suggests, these are evaluations that review psychological risk factors associated with the surgical process, and post-surgical recovery. These examinations will routinely be ordered by surgeons and physicians as part of a patient's pre-surgical preparation. They are often mandated by health insurance agencies with the stated purpose of optimizing post-surgical outcomes. Common examples of surgeries requiring these evaluations include bariatric procedures (weight loss surgery), and neurostimulator implants (spinal cord stimulator). Gender transition-related therapies such as hormonal treatments and surgical procedures may also require a formal psychological evaluation.
Pre-surgical Evaluation
Brief Psychological Assessment
This is a quick assessment of a single domain of psychological interest; usually with a single testing tool. Brief testing can target most domains that may include cognitive ability, academic achievement, personality testing, clinical testing, risk assessment, vocational functioning, projective testing, and tests of competence. While any of these domains may be examined as part of a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation, the brief assessment allows for quickly answering the most relevant clinical question.
Clinical Consultation / Second opinion Service
Although not formally a psychological evaluation, Meaningful Change: Clinical & Consultation Psychology is pleased to offer a second opinion service about a patient's diagnosis and treatment strategy. In this procedure, a doctorate-holding psychologist will interview the patient, survey their treatment history, and offer a professional opinion about the course of care with recommendations for the future. The process usually involves 1-2 meetings.