PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING

Psychological Evaluation of Children & Adolescents

As with most aspects of life, a fundamental key to effective action is a clear understanding of the situation. At Inner Fōkus a comprehensive evaluation forms the guide for our interventions. The initial evaluation sometimes identifies a need for more specific and/or thorough assessment of some certain area. In those instances we offer, and strongly recommend, psychological testing to help clarify the(se) question(s). In many cases, children and adolescents are in need of an evaluation of cognitive abilities, a clear determination of whether or not they may have ADHD, or whether they are struggling in school due to a specific learning disability (SLD). Many times, such testing can be received from the child’s school. However, it is sometimes the case where the schools ability to complete the testing does not match up with the desires of the child’s parent(s). In those cases, rather than wait and potentially allow a problem to get worse, it can be a good, proactive decision to have the testing done privately to facilitate prompt intervention. This form of testing is also available at Inner Fōkus. In general, psychological evaluation is a process of using a wide variety of specialized, standardized tools available to psychologists to thoroughly gather information, reviewing a patient’s history/symptoms, and then integrating the new information with their history/symptoms to provide insight into their situation. Typically, psychological evaluations are initiated with some specific question to be answered. Some examples of those questions might be:

  • Does my child have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?
  • Does my child have a learning disability?
  • Is my child intellectually gifted?
  • Does my child have depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or something else?
  • Does my child have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
  • Is my child developmentally delayed?
  • Does my child qualify for services for individuals with developmental disabilities?
  • What are some specific targets for treatment?
  • How should treatment goals be organized/approached for maximum benefit?
  • How has my child changed in comparison to my last evaluation?

Like traditional therapy, psychological evaluations are typically initiated with a comprehensive interview to gather historical information and review the current problems/symptoms. After that interview, the evaluation questions are clarified and testing is completed. Once the testing is done, the materials are scored and preliminary feedback is provided. After the appointment, a formal report can be generated if it is desired, and a copy can be shared with the client/client’s family. A critical component of each evaluation is the recommendation section at the end. Each Inner Fōkus evaluation is complete with thorough recommendations for treatments/interventions and resources that may benefit that specific individual or family. One time, or ongoing, consultation following the receipt of an evaluation report is always available as well.

Psychological Evaluation of Adults

Just like interventions for children and adolescents, a fundamental key to effective action is a clear understanding of the situation. At Inner Fōkus a comprehensive evaluation forms the guide for our interventions. The initial evaluation sometimes identifies a need for more specific and/or thorough assessment of some certain area. In those instances we offer, and strongly recommend psychological testing to help clarify the(se) question(s). In general, psychological evaluation is a process of using a wide variety of specialized, standardized tools available to psychologists to thoroughly gather information, reviewing a patient’s history/symptoms, and then integrating the new information with their history/symptoms to provide insight into their situation. Other situations that may require/benefit from testing include, but are not limited to:

 

  • Do I have ADHD?
  • Do I have depression, anxiety, bipolar, or something else?
  • Do I have a learning disability?
  • Do I have PTSD?
  • Am I intellectually gifted?
  • Do I (or does my loved one) have a developmentally disability?
  • Do I qualify for services for individuals with developmental disabilities?
  • What are some specific targets for treatment?
  • How should treatment goals be organized/approached for maximum benefit?
  • How have I changed in comparison to my last evaluation? (Updates to previously completed testing.)
  • Seeking a second opinion on previous testing.
  • Updated testing to pursue accommodations in the workplace or for standardized tests such as the LSAT and/or MCAT.
  • Testing to maximize therapy or as a therapeutic tool (personal growth, focused treatment, pre-marriage counseling, etc.).
  • To help figure out why some treatment (therapy and/or medications) has not been especially effective.
  • As part of a court or social services mandate.
  • Pre-Employment Screening.

CONTACT US

  CALIFORNIA

The Inner Fokus California Office is located at

PO Box 65

Laguna Beach,

CA 92652

Phone: 949.393.4219

Fax: 877.310.9920

 MINNESOTA

The Inner Fōkus Minnesota office is located in the historic Board of Trade building in downtown Duluth.

301 W 1st Street, Ste 200

Duluth,

MN 55802

Phone: 218.491.0746

Fax: 877.310.9920