What does an evaluation entail?

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An evaluation involves four components: 1) a brief phone screen to discuss presenting concerns, answer questions, and figure out appointment dates. Paperwork will then be sent out to complete prior to first appointment, 2) a 30-60 minute interview with parent/guardian or adults that occurs in-person or over the phone to gather information about current concerns, developmental, medical, and educational history, and to gather collateral information from others (parents, teachers, spouse/significant other, friends, 3) 6-8 hours of psychological testing typically over two days, with a half-hour break for lunch and snack breaks. Young children often require more frequent breaks, so testing might be completed over 3 days instead of 2, and 4) a 90 minute feedback appointment with families about 2 weeks after testing has been completed to go over test results.  Results will also be documented in a written report with a colorful chart that displays test scores. An electronic version of the report will be sent to clients (pdf) within a few weeks of the conference, and a hard paper copy can be mailed out upon request.         

 

Do you accept insurance?

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Although I don’t accept insurance, I provide an invoice with all the necessary information for you to submit to insurance for possible out-of-network reimbursement. I recommend you contact your insurance company in advance to understand your insurance coverage.

 

What happens after I schedule an appointment?

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After an appointment is scheduled, you will receive a welcome email that will confirm your appointment dates and provide paperwork for you to complete prior to your first appointment. If testing involves children or adolescents, there will be a set of teacher forms for parents to print out and distribute to teachers. 

 

How do I prepare my child for an evaluation?

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I encourage parents to make sure that their child gets a good night’s sleep and to take any medication that is normally prescribed. Parents can tell their child that they are going to be doing lots of different activities with a psychologist, a special talking doctor (no shots or medical equipment at all) who helps figure out how their brain works. Usually kids come for an evaluation because they are having a hard time with something at school, at home, or maybe both places. The doctor will do different activities with them (e.g., play with blocks, answer questions, read, write, do mathematics, play on the computer) to see what type of activities they are good at and what type of activities they have a harder time with. The psychologist then will then give parents and teachers ideas about ways to make the hard things easier.

 

What do I do while my child is meeting with you for the evaluation? Do I need to stay in the waiting room or can I drop my child off?

 

You are welcome to hang out in the waiting room (office has wi-fi access) during testing or you can drop your child off and come back at lunch time (around 11:30 or 12) or at the end of the testing session. I always schedule a 30 minute break for lunch/snack, and then have families come back and do a final hour of testing. I recommend that parents pack a lunch or snack to eat in the waiting room with their child. There are also some picnic benches in the back of our building if the weather is nice.  There are restaurants close by if you prefer to grab something and bring in.

 

Are there breaks during testing or does my child?   

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Yes, there are breaks so please be sure to pack snacks/lunch/and a drink. Testing will occur from 9 to 12, and then we will take a 30 minute break for snack/lunch.

 

What is your cancellation policy?

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Please let me know about your need to cancel as soon as possible via a phone call, email, or text. Once an appointment is scheduled, you will be expected to pay unless you let me know 24 hours in advance.

 

How much does an evaluation cost, when is payment expected, and do you accept credit cards?

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I determine the fee after gathering some initial information over the phone with clients. It depends on the referral question and the amount of testing that is needed. Payment is due at your first appointment (typically a parent interview). I accept cash, check, or credit card. If a credit card is used, a 3.5% processing fee is added to your bill. Please contact me directly to discuss fees.