Psychological Assessments: What to Expect

A psychological assessment can provide valuable insight into how you or your child thinks, learns, feels, and functions. Whether you are seeking answers about attention, learning, memory, emotional concerns, or other challenges, the goal of an assessment is to provide greater clarity and practical recommendations for moving forward.

We offer a variety of psychological evaluations for children, adolescents, and adults, including:

  • ADHD evaluations
  • Autism evaluations
  • IQ and cognitive testing
  • Gifted and twice-exceptional (2e) evaluations
  • Social-emotional and behavioral evaluations
  • Fitness-for-duty evaluations
  • Other individualized psychological assessments based on referral needs

Every evaluation is individualized based on the reason for referral, but most assessments follow three main steps.

1. Clinical Interview

The process begins with a clinical interview, typically lasting about one hour. Your psychologist will talk with you about your current concerns, relevant history, and what you hope to learn from the evaluation.

For children and adolescents, parents or caregivers will typically be involved in providing background information. You may also be asked to provide relevant school, medical, or previous testing records.

The clinical interview may be completed in person or through telehealth.

2. Testing

Your testing appointment will take place in person or via telehealth and is tailored specifically to the questions the evaluation is intended to answer.

Rather than one long “test,” psychological testing usually involves a variety of activities. Depending on the type of evaluation, these may assess areas such as attention, memory, problem-solving, learning, academic skills, personality, emotions, or behavior.

Testing typically takes 2–6 hours. Some individuals, particularly children or older adults, may benefit from completing testing over more than one day. Breaks can be taken as needed.

There is no need to study or prepare for psychological testing. We simply recommend getting a good night’s sleep, eating beforehand, and bringing any requested records or information with you.

3. Results & Feedback

After testing is complete, your psychologist will score and interpret the results, review the information gathered throughout the evaluation, and prepare a comprehensive written report.

Your report will explain the findings, any applicable diagnoses, and individualized recommendations for next steps.

Once the report is complete, you will meet with your psychologist for a feedback session. During this appointment, your psychologist will explain the results in understandable terms, review recommendations, answer your questions, and discuss what comes next.

Reports are generally completed within 2–4 weeks following testing.

Our Goal

Psychological testing isn’t about passing or failing, and there aren’t “right” answers you need to prepare for. The purpose is to develop a clearer understanding of your or your child’s unique strengths, challenges, and needs.

Our goal is for you to leave the assessment process not only with answers, but with useful recommendations and a clearer path forward.