Psychological Assessments

Dr. Turner provides an uncommonly thorough approach to psychological assessment. This approach allows her to make well informed diagnostic decisions and highly individualized recommendations. The goals of every psychological assessment are to:

• Answer specific questions and concerns
• Provide a comprehensive understanding of what is occurring and why
• Identify sound courses of action that can ameliorate or resolve existing problems

A complete psychological assessment is recommended when:

• There is significant diagnostic uncertainty
• Distressing symptoms and/or behaviors are not responding to treatment or to other interventions
• There are substantial changes in mood, behavior, and/or the ability to function
• Treatment has not been sufficiently successful
• There is confusion about what, exactly, is happening and/or why it is happening
• Emotional, social, and academic difficulties are intertwined in complicated ways
• One feels overwhelmed, exasperated, and/or at a loss about what to do
• One can only receive a limited number of therapy sessions (* Please see last paragraph.)

Because assessment requires a thorough understanding of many aspects of the individual, there can be up to nine hours of testing. Interviews can total up to 12 hours. Consequently, testing and interview sessions are broken into manageable lengths of time. Dr. Turner charges a flat rate for psychological assessments. She does not financially penalize individuals who require more time to move through the process.

During the course of a psychological assessment, Dr. Turner will administer tests that provide information about emotional functioning, psychological symptoms, and personality. Most of these are paper and pencil tests. Some require a verbal response that Dr. Turner will write down. The vast majority of test-takers enjoy these tests. Dr. Turner will also administer tests to explore cognitive functioning and areas of intellectual and academic strength and weakness.

Individuals receiving a limited number of therapy sessions can benefit from psychological assessment prior to their treatment. Psychological assessment reports allow treating therapists to gain a thorough understanding of important history, psychological functioning, symptoms, and diagnostic considerations in a short amount of time. This can dramatically accelerate treatment ─ allowing clients to go further than would otherwise be possible during the available sessions.

© 2009 Dr. Eva Turner  | All rights reserved.