Psychological assessment is the use of psychological test measures and is used to evaluate for a wide range of clinical issues that may not be readily or easily diagnosed without it. These issues can be psychological, behavioral, and/or educational. Therefore, clinicians, teachers, and sometimes lawyers or judges will suggest further assessment to provide recommendations for education and treatment.
I access children starting at age 6 years old. The price range for assessment is $300-$1700. My standard psychological assessment battery is used to assess a wide variety of clinical questions and includes the following 4 types of tests in addition to the clinical interview:
1. Intelligence measure (WASI, WISC-IV, WAIS-IV)
2. Achievement measure (WRAT-V)
3. Rorschach Inkblot Test
4. 2 Projective measures (HTP, TAT, CAT, TEMAS)
This battery is usually completed in 4-6 face-to-face hours and 5-10 interpretation and report writing hours. However, for children over age 7 years old, 2 additional self-report measures (Sentence Completions, BYI) are often added. Also, at times additional measures may be required to effectively answer the referral question based upon my professional opinion (i.e. assessing for trauma, sexual abuse, etc.). Also, sometimes individuals will need more specific testing that may not require all of the measures listed in the standard battery. This is why the range of costs is so varied.
The initial session typically includes an in-depth discussion of the referral question, the clinical interview, observation, and a discussion and planning of the assessment. Payment for the assessment can be paid initially up front or can be broken up among the planned testing sessions as agreed upon in the initial session. Costs must be paid in full at the final testing session.
Once the assessment is complete I will provide feedback and a report of the findings. Reports are generally produced in 2-3 weeks of the last testing session. At the time of completion, I will schedule a session during which I will explain the results of the assessment and provide a copy of the report.