During the evaluation, there may be some inherent risks such discussing difficult issues the client may have initially avoided. Additionally, they may involve several appointments of several hours each. An evaluation typically consists of the client completing initial intake paperwork, interviews with the client, administration of tests and/or questionnaires, and cognitive testing. When necessary, evaluations may also include collateral interviews with close family member or partner, school personnel, and/or physicians or other individuals who can provide helpful information to aid the evaluation. The client’s written consent will be necessary to authorize these contacts. Moreover, the evaluator may request the client to bring in relevant medical, mental health, and academic records either before or throughout the evaluation. After all this is completed, the evaluator will integrate the relevant data into a comprehensive report product and a feedback session will be scheduled with the client to review the results and treatment recommendations. Please expect an evaluation to be two to four sessions on average.
Aside from the above, the referral questions we are capable of answering is quite flexible and may requires additional consultation from the evaluator before seeing you. In specific evaluations, the report may instead go to an outside agency, especially when the evaluation is requested by the court, lawyer, or outside agency instead of the client.
What is Psychological Testing and Assessment?
Evaluations are designed to provide benefits such as an accurate description of a client that may include determining the client’s cognitive and intellectual strengths and weaknesses, educational achievement skills, and emotional and interpersonal functioning. Results from an evaluation can aid in providing diagnostic clarity and treatment planning that is necessary to reduce personal suffering as well as increasing subjective well-being in the client. At CMP Services, their evaluations are conducted by one of our licensed psychologists and may include some or all the following assessments:
• Assessment of Intellectual Abilities
• Assessment of Adaptive Functioning
• Assessment of Academic Achievement
• Brief Assessment of Executive Functioning or Neuropsychological Screening
• Assessment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
• Assessment of Behavioral and Emotional Functioning (e.g., mood, anxiety, trauma)
• Assessment of Personality