FAQS for
Psychological
Evaluation
Q: How do I get started?
A: First, you attend a free Zoom consultation with me, during which we will get to know one another a bit and together, determine the scope of the evaluation. From there, we can schedule the evaluation sessions.
Q: What do evaluation sessions entail and how many are there?
A: Typically, there will be 2 in-person evaluation sessions (with safety measures in place for COVID). During those sessions, I commonly administer cognitive, academic, social, and executive function measures, as well as conduct a clinical interview. I will also interview parents or others involved in your life (if applicable) and send questionnaires to teachers, parents, or to you as an individual.
Q: How much does an evaluation cost?
A: Psychological evaluation costs $225/hr. In total, typical costs range from $2200 to $3800, with adult evaluations for autism or ADHD only on the low end, to full neuropsychological evaluations or independent educational evaluations on the high end. Depending on the complexity of the referral question, hours vary, and this is just an estimate.
Q: What is included in the hours for evaluation?
A: Cost includes hours in the in-person evaluation sessions as well as interviews, questionnaires, and scoring, interpreting, writing up the results, and a therapeutic feedback session. When the evaluation is done, you receive a written report (typically 20-25 pages) with results, diagnosis (if any), and treatment recommendations based on best-practice in psychology as well as tailored to yourself/ your child. This includes accommodations for school or workplace, as applicable.
Q: How do I know if I or my child need a psychological evaluation?
A: Common reasons people pursue psychological evaluation include:
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To understand why they process information differently than others at school or work.
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To better understand their own cognitive functioning and find tools to better support themselves across their environments.
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To follow up about an official diagnosis of autism after self-identifying as autistic.
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In order to aid their application for disability services.
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In order to obtain an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) to determine whether they need services at school.
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To obtain diagnostic clarity when traditional therapy hasn't worked for them.
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In order to identify interventions that are tailored specifically to their needs or their child's needs.
Q: Do you bill insurance?
A: I do not currently bill insurance. I do offer a Superbill after services are complete and paid in full, and some clients have had success getting reimbursed for services.
Q: Why do people choose you for evaluation?
A: I offer a neurodiverse-affirming approach to assessing autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, and mental health, with a strong background in psychological assessment. I combine psychological and scientific knowledge with a heart-centered, humanistic approach. I believe the evaluation process should be empowering and therapeutic. I always offer direct feedback to the client, and if the client is a child, to the parents as well as to the child, at a developmentally-appropriate level.
Frequently, my clients tell me they are grateful that I was able to "see" them, or say that understanding how their brain works and why they have felt "different" has alleviated some anxiety and depression for them. They also express feeling affirmed, seen, and hopeful. I want to celebrate who they already are and also offer supports for moving forward. My goal is also to provide my clients with a positive experience with mental health services, to increase the likelihood that they will seek out affirming services moving forward as well.
Q: Do you offer a sliding scale or reduced cost evaluations?
A: I offer reduced-cost evaluations to BIPOC families and individuals who need the support in order to participate in the evaluation. These evaluations, the same in quality and scope, are offered at half price. This option is offered as part of my acknowledgment of my place of privilege as a white psychologist, and also as acknowledgement that the field of psychology has historically done harm to communities of color and perpetuated racist ideals, particularly in evaluation methods.
If you need further financial support for evaluation for additional or other reasons, I may also have services available with an intern at a reduced cost, so please inquire. It depends on how many reduced spots are already utilized at the time.