At Pica & Associates, we offer comprehensive psychological testing services designed to provide clarity and insight into a wide range of mental health and developmental concerns. Whether you're seeking answers for Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), learning disabilities, early education needs, giftedness, or autism, our testing process can help you understand the root cause of your concerns and guide effective treatment.
Our testing services cover a variety of needs, including:
ADD/ADHD evaluations
Learning disability assessments
Early childhood education screening
Autism evaluations
Giftedness assessments
Mood vs. personality disorder diagnosis
Suicidal risk assessments
And more
What to Expect During Psychological Testing
Despite the word "testing," the process isn’t just about answering questions. Our approach includes a clinical interview, reviewing any information you or other sources provide, and administering a variety of hands-on tasks. These might include assembling designs with blocks, coding symbols, or responding to prompts such as sentence stems or story cards.
The specific tests we use depend on the reason for referral, and sessions usually take between three to five hours. Sometimes, the process may be split over two days to allow for breaks and maximize focus. We often recommend testing be done in the morning, when individuals are more alert and able to concentrate.
The Report and Recommendations
Once testing is complete, the evaluator carefully scores and analyzes the results. This analysis forms the basis of a comprehensive report, which includes a working diagnosis and tailored recommendations. The report can be shared with other professionals, such as therapists, physicians, psychiatrists, or school systems. After the report is complete, we meet with you to discuss the findings in a feedback session. The entire process, from the initial interview to the feedback session, typically takes about eight weeks.
Why Psychological Testing Matters
Psychological testing allows us to view the individual with a depth and precision that often isn’t possible in standard therapy sessions. It provides a clear roadmap for treatment, diagnosis, and recommendations that can be used more effectively by therapists, medical professionals, and educators.
Is Psychological Testing Covered by Insurance?
Many insurance plans cover psychological testing, but it's essential to verify your coverage to understand any out-of-pocket costs.