At the initial clinical interview you will be asked various questions regarding the client’s history, current concerns and present symptoms.  It can be helpful to come prepared.

If you have any relevant medical or school records, please bring them to the clinical interview.

• Past report cards
• Previous testing reports from school or other professionals
• Any other data you think might provide useful information about the client’s academic and/or emotional health.

It can also be important to review past medical records, including parental history and/or developmental milestones in infancy and toddler years since an important part of the interview will cover development history. Also be sure to come with any questions you might have about the process or goals. This is an important opportunity for the psychologist to help you understand and feel comfortable with the process.

The person to be tested will work with the psychologist one to one and complete a variety of diagnostic tools.

The assessment includes a variety of diagnostic tools creating multiple sources of data for the evaluation and is not based upon one single set of assessment. The testing sources includes data collection, questionnaires from multiple sources involved in the individual’s environment (parent, teacher, etc.), cognitive testing, and clinical observations.

Once testing is completed, a detailed report of all testing data is provided. This report includes scores and descriptions from all testing sources, diagnostic impressions and treatment recommendations.  The psychologist will personally review the report, discuss potential referrals and resources as well as answer any questions.

There are many benefits to psychological testing and assessment such as:

• Uncovering cognitive strengths and weakness
• Diagnosing neurological disorders, learning disorder, or mental illness
• If we identify issues or problems, we can recommend effective treatment programs, therapies, specific type of tutoring and/or accommodations for school and/or work

Collaboration with other professionals is a very important process and a very imperative component of working towards mental health treatment. I will share the report to any professional with permission from the client and/or parent. The report contains very specific treatment and academic  needs to assist clients reaching success. For example, sharing with the school can provide the school with guidance in terms of accommodations via the Section 504 Program as well as further recommendations to develop an Individualized Education Plan (IEF). Some individuals can receive accommodations and assistance while attending college and/or a university.

Therapists will know exact areas that need to be further explored in the counseling process. Furthermore, psychiatrists will have an actual diagnosis to consider when considering medication management.