Psychological /Neuropsychological Testing
What is psychological testing or neuropsychological testing?
At Inner Peace Psychological Care, we believe that psychological or neuropsychological testing is another tool or intervention in your mental health care. Psychological or neuropsychological testing can provide insight and information into how a person thinks, understands, and navigates the world. It can provide answers to questions, such as how does a person learn, what skills are they good at, and what are some areas of weaknesses. If there is an impasse in your mental health treatment, psychological testing can assist with sorting and sifting the clutter, provide diagnostic clarification, and individualize your treatment plan. It can aid in diagnosing mental health conditions, like depression, anxiety, trauma, attention or executive function disorders. Psychological testing can also help with identifying specific needs and resources to help support the individual’s growth, development, and journey towards success.
Furthermore and most importantly, at Inner Peace, we do not believe that your relationship with us is over after you complete testing. We want to continue working with you by referring to providers we trust and following up on your care to ensure that the treatment recommendations are working best for you.
We understand seeking psychological or neuropsychological testing can feel overwhelming or unfamiliar. The following is a general overview of psychological testing, including what to expect and frequently asked questions that we receive.
What types of Psychological Testing does Inner Peace offer?
• Psychological testing: A psychological evaluation examines an individual’s behavior/emotions, intellectual functioning, academic abilities, self-concept, strengths, and social-emotional functioning. Examples include personality assessments, mood disorders, or trauma.
• Neuropsychological testing: Neuropsychological testing is provided for individuals experiencing memory, attention, or learning difficulties to help identify potential neurological disorders that may be impacting cognitive functioning.
• Psychoeducational and Academic testing: Psychoeducational testing assesses an individual’s intellectual abilities (relative strengths and weaknesses), basic academic achievement (reading, writing, mathematics), and psychological screenings to provide information about potential learning disabilities or other disorders that might interfere with academic or occupational functioning.
**Psychoeducation and Academic testing may not be covered by your insurance. Please check with your insurance for coverage.
What to Expect During Psychological Testing:
- Initial Consultation: Your first appointment will involve a discussion with the psychologist to gather information about your background, concerns, and goals. The interview will cover topics such as development, social, academic, medical, and family history as well as a review of previous psychiatric and medical history. This information helps determine which tests are most appropriate for your situation.
- Test Administration: Tests can be administered in various formats, such as paper-and-pencil questionnaires, computerized assessments, or interactive tasks. The specific tests chosen for you will depend on the purpose of the evaluation.
- Test Duration: The duration of testing sessions can vary widely, ranging from a single session lasting a few hours to multiple sessions spread over several days. Your psychologist will inform you about the expected duration during the initial consultation.
- Test Environment: Psychological testing usually takes place in a quiet and comfortable office setting, ensuring privacy and minimizing distractions.
- Test Feedback and Interpretation: Once the testing is completed, you will meet with your psychologist to discuss the results approximately two to four weeks of your final assessment appointment. This feedback session aims to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the findings, their implications, and any recommended interventions or treatments.
- Total Length of Time: The estimated time that the evaluation may be completed from start to finish is within 4-6 weeks, depending on our waitlist, the patient’s availability for scheduling, and the referral question.
- Preparation: Generally, no specific preparation is required for psychological testing. Get a good night’s sleep, eat well, and arrive on time for your appointments. Feel free to bring water, snacks, and dress in layers so you are most comfortable throughout the assessment. Your psychologist may provide specific instructions at your initial consultation. Patients are advised to refrain from utilizing substances prior to test administration.
If you have any questions or concerns before, during, or after the testing process, do not hesitate to discuss them with your psychologist. They are there to support you and provide the necessary information for your process. See (link to fees) for information regarding costs and insurance coverage.
For Parents:
How do I speak to my kids about psychological testing?
Oftentimes, we introduce ourselves as “doctors for big feelings” and we “help kids understand how they think and understand information and answer questions on why they do the things that they do.” We reassure them that we are not doctors who will give them shots or stick or attach anything to them. We tell them that we will do various activities and tasks and some of them will be fun and easy while others may be boring or difficult. The intention is to help them, their parents, their teachers, and others understand them a little better so they can provide them with the best support and tools possible to help them [do well in school, get along with others, help them when they are worried or stress, deal with those big emotions]. It is important for them to be honest and do the best they can during these tasks and if they ever need a break or feel frustrated or tired during the assessment, they can always let the doctor know.
