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WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OR TESTING?

Psychological assessment/testing is the basis for understanding people and their behaviors. It helps identify mental health issues that may affect a person’s overall functioning, but it also identifies strengths as both of these make up a person’s core.

I’VE ALREADY BEEN ASSESSED IN THE PAST, WHY WOULD I DO IT AGAIN?

Psychological testing focuses on a person’s performance in the present. How you performed in the past can very well change over time. Having updated psychological testing is important to determine your current functioning and modify any accommodations you may need.

CAN’T I JUST TAKE THOSE ONLINE TESTS INSTEAD?

You can definitely take them for fun (disclaimer: results should be taken with a grain of salt and a sense of humor), but not in lieu of true psychological testing. Only licensed psychologists can perform and interpret psych tests; interns can administer the tests under the supervision of a licensed psychologist. It is a licensed psychologist’s job to determine what specific tests you will need. Just like using the internet instead of seeking a medical doctor’s expertise, you wouldn’t want to trust an online psych test instead of valid psych testing by a doctor of psychology.

I WAS TESTED IN SCHOOL; IS THIS THE SAME TYPE OF TESTING?

Yes and no. Licensed psychologists can administer the same tests that school psychologists do but not vice versa, same for diagnosing.

I ALREADY HAVE A THERAPIST. IS THERE ANY POINT IN GETTING TESTED NOW?

Absolutely! No matter where you are in the process of psychotherapy, psychological testing can help tremendously. Have you ever felt lost in the therapeutic process, as if you aren’t making progress? Psych testing can help identify why this is happening, giving your therapist crucial information to alter your course of treatment. Imagine if you had been misdiagnosed (not uncommon unfortunately). Psychological assessment could fix that and help you get on the right path in your therapeutic journey.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I NEED THERAPY? I DO PRETTY WELL FOR THE MOST PART.

Navigating through life’s stressors can be tough at times and can be even more complicated if you may be diagnosed with a mental health condition. Sometimes we need help and that is something you should be okay in realizing. Maybe it’s not a mental health condition that you need help with specifically. Maybe you struggle with finding yourself as an individual or maybe you need someone to talk to. The best way to know if you need therapy is if you are experiencing high levels of stress that are interfering with your ability to function. Here’s a short article that details how to know if you need therapy: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/where-science-meets-the-steps/201303/5-signs-its-time-seek-therapy

IS A PSYCHOLOGIST A THERAPIST?

Yes, we most definitely can be called a therapist. The titles are often used interchangeably but do not describe the same role. Here is a great article that details the titles we use to describe mental health professionals. https://www.healthline.com/health/psychologist-vs-therapist#who-to-see

DO YOU HAVE A CANCELLATION POLICY?

We sure do. We ask for a minimum of 24 hours notice if you need to cancel or reschedule a session. A cancellation fee will be charged if you don’t attend a scheduled session or give less than a 24 hours notice of cancellation. If you have numerous missed or late cancelled appointments you may be given a reduction in how often you can schedule.