Testing, Evaluation, and Assessment

What even is Testing, Evaluation, Assessment?

Testing refers to diagnostic evaluation and/or psychological assessment, which are separate and distinct services from therapy. Through the use of a variety of standardized tests, measures, and protocols, we will collaboratively attempt to answer the questions that prompted the evaluation/assessment. These questions may concern cognitive functioning, adaptive functioning, academic functioning, social-emotional functioning, behavioral functioning, executive functioning, and/or personality features.

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Evaluations can include the assessment of:

  • Cognitive functioning is the mental processes involved in thinking, learning, remembering things, and problem-solving. It includes various domains of functioning such as perception, attention, decision-making, and language abilities. Exploring a person’s cognitive functioning can be helpful in understanding their functional strengths and weaknesses as well as gauge appropriate supports.

  • Adaptive functioning refers to a person’s ability to effectively manage daily living tasks and social interaction.

  • Academic functioning reflects skills and fluency in reading, writing, mathematics, and scholarly knowledge.

  • Social functioning refers to skills involved in interacting and communication with others, as well as regulating feelings.

  • Behavioral functioning encompasses how one acts or reacts in different situations, based on external contextual factors and internal factors.

  • Executive functioning is a set of cognitive skills that help us manage everyday tasks like planning, monitoring, and executing various types of goals.

  • Personality features are the unique traits that make up someone's personality, including major characteristics, interests, drives, values, self-concept, abilities, and emotional patterns.

Who are we and what makes us different?

I provide collaborative, therapeutic testing with my colleague, Carolyn Black, PsyD. We are licensed clinical psychologists with over 15 years of collective experience. While we operate our own practices, we work together to provide our assessment services.

Many psychologists offer single-provider assessments; we have decided to collaborate together on assessments as we believe, by working together, we are able to offer a more comprehensive and complete interpretation of all of the data points we collect, which include evidence-based and thoroughly researched measures, interviews, and other methods of assessment.

Additionally, we aim to make our assessments collaborative with you, ensuring our work together is not only affirming of your lived experience but can actually be part of your healing experience as well.

Why seek testing?

There are many reasons you may want to seek diagnostic evaluation or psychological assessment. The most personal reason is that it will help you answer questions you may have been holding about yourself for some time, such as:

  • Am I on the Autism spectrum, and what does this mean?

  • What is my IQ?

  • Why am I having difficulty concentrating?

  • Do I meet criteria for ADHD and/or a learning disability?

  • Why do I struggle in personal relationships, and how can I build healthier relationships?

  • Is this just how my brain works, and/or did my experiences make me who I am?

    Other reasons may include:

  • Data collected through testing can provide specific recommendations for therapy, medication, or lifestyle changes that might be beneficial. This can help you and your support network to develop an effective treatment plan.

  • A comprehensive assessment can clarify whether aspects of neurodivergence (such as learning disabilities, ASD, and/or ADHD) and/or other cognitive differences are contributing to academic or work challenges. This insight can lead to support strategies in school or workplace accommodations.

  • People going through significant life changes - like entering adulthood, becoming parents, or facing job challenges - may want an assessment to understand how mental health or personality factors might impact these transitions.

  • If you are needing further support, including applying for disability or asking for accommodations from work or school, psychological testing can support your case significantly.

  • Our evaluation process intentionally takes into account intersectional factors such as trauma, complex family dynamics, and/or masking, which may be causing and/or aggravating challenges in one’s life. We have extensive experience working with historically underserved and overlooked populations. As a result, we take great care in attuning to every aspect of a person and specialize in addressing implicit biases in what are considered “gold standard” tools.

Please note: Diagnostic evaluation and psychological assessment should be used for agreed-upon purposes and should not be used to determine therapeutic or academic placement, custody or visitation arrangements, or any other legal adjudication. Evaluation/assessment reports do not guarantee accommodations in academic, vocational, or other settings.

What to expect and how to prepare

Once you reach out, we will collaboratively discuss your questions and concerns via email, phone call, or video call. Through this consultation process, we will discuss expectations and determine an appropriate roadmap for proceeding. Fees will be outlined as well. You will be then asked to complete preliminary paperwork that will be needed prior to meeting. If you’re still unsure and would like to talk further to make sure psychological assessment or diagnostic evaluation is right for you, we’re happy to answer any questions you have with no pressure at all.

The evaluation/assessment process generally involves a clinical interview; review of available records; consultation with agreed-upon professionals and/or informants; and administration of several tests, questionnaires, checklists, and/or other assessment tools. You are expected to provide accurate information about yourself and your experiences to the best of your ability, and not withhold pertinent information. Although it is sometimes possible to complete testing in one day, testing may occur over multiple days both in-person and via Telehealth services. Throughout the evaluation/assessment process, you have the right to inquire about the nature and/or purpose of all procedures. Once testing is completed, the data is analyzed and interpreted and you will receive a summary of findings and recommendations during a feedback session. Following this, a comprehensive report will be written.

When preparing for your appointment(s), it’s important to get a good night’s sleep and try to eat a good breakfast. Take all of your medications as usual, unless you are directly told otherwise by your doctor. If you use glasses, contact lenses, hearing aids, and/or assistive communication devices, bring them with you. If you have had any previous testing completed related to your question, please bring those records with you. If you are sick or not feeling well, please reach out to reschedule your appointment. We may also need to reschedule your appointment due to inclement weather or clinician sickness, and will always be communicative with you regarding next steps if that is necessary.

Rates

Testing rates vary based on your needs:

  • Our comprehensive core battery starts at an out-of-pocket cost of $3,000.00 - it is designed to provide an in-depth analysis of cognitive functioning, adaptive functioning, sensory processing, and behavioral features through the lens of neurodiversity using various evidence-based protocols. This is the best option if you are trying to answer questions such as, “Am I autistic?” or “Do I have ADHD?”

  • A more streamlined battery that focuses on only cognitive and adaptive functioning is provided for $750.00

  • Cognitive (IQ) testing is $500.00

  • Adaptive functioning testing is $250.00

  • If you are currently working with the Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), costs for a full evaluation can be covered with approval from your DVR counselor.

Aside from DVR, we currently accept self-paying clients only and we require a deposit for the majority of our testing services. We cannot bill insurance carriers directly for assessments/evaluations at this time (per Headway policy). We are able to provide “superbill” documentation to submit to insurances following full payment for services.

Please note: Clients currently covered by Medicaid cannot pay out of pocket for any services.

Neither Carolyn nor Martha utilize Artificial Intelligence (AI) in any part of their assessment testing, writing, or diagnostic process. This is an intentional decision to protect client privacy, as well as due to concerns regarding ethical implications, potential biases, and possible inaccuracies. We believe in the importance of providing high-quality, person-first services directly informed by our own academic training, clinical experience, and highly-regarded, evidence-based research and theory. 

Let’s Work Together

If you're interested in working with us, complete the form with a few details about yourself and what it is you’re looking for in terms of assessment. I will review your message and get back to you when I can!