Assessment Services
What is an assessment or evaluation?
A psychological assessment is a thorough evaluation process that helps us understand how your mind works and identify both your strengths and any challenges you may be experiencing. Think of it as a detailed map of your psychological functioning – it looks at areas like your thinking patterns, emotional responses, behavior, and personal strengths. During an assessment, we'll work one-on-one and use various tools including conversations, standardized tests, and questionnaires to gather a complete picture of your situation. This isn't like a regular doctor's appointment or a simple yes-or-no test; it's more like putting together puzzle pieces to understand the whole picture of your overall brain and mental health. The results can help identify specific conditions, guide treatment plans, or provide insights for personal growth. Many people find that a psychological assessment helps them better understand themselves and provides clear direction for moving forward. The entire process is confidential, and we'll walk you through each step, making sure you feel comfortable and informed throughout the evaluation.
Our Approach
Pure Joy provides comprehensive psychological evaluations for clients and offers a unique level of personalization for individuals seeking a deeper, more complete understanding of themselves, their unique strengths, and the specific challenges they face in day-to-day life. I specialize in evaluating children over [X age], adolescents and adults. I work to provide in-depth analysis to identify and explain, diagnostically and functionally, individual strengths and challenges – knowledge we use to develop a realistic plan to address any problem(s).
Pure Joy is committed to helping clients develop skills to help reach their full potential. We offer continuity of care across the lifespan, partnering with parents and professionals to support our clients and their families throughout their journey.
Types of Assessment
Each individual is unique, as is their evaluation. I provide psychological evaluations for children age six and older, adolescents, and adults. I usually provide referrals for children younger than six years of age.
Pure Joy offers the following types of assessments:
Common Concerns
I base any recommendations and plans for intervention on the information from each individual assessment. Treatment goals are personalized, tailored to meet specific needs. A psychological assessment can help us address any number of concerns, including:
Social Challenges
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Intellectual Giftedness
Learning Challenges and Disorders
Attention/Executive Functioning
Memory
Anxiety/Emotional Regulation
Medical/Neurological
Read about common concerns and how a comprehensive assessment at Pure Joy can help you understand and address them on our Assessment FAQ page.
Our Assessment Process
Learn more about our assessment process and what to expect below!
We know that reaching out to complete an assessment can induce anxiety and nervousness. We are here to make sure you receive high quality services for what you need in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Here is what you can typically expect at our practice when completing an assessment:
Inquiry: Once you inquire, we aim to respond to you within 1-2 business days. If you know which type of testing you need, feel free to mention it in your message to us. If you are not sure, that’s okay. We will will contact you to discuss your needs and help you identify which testing would be best for you and then book the initial consultation.
Initial Consultation: A meeting to discuss your briefly discuss your needs. If you agree to move forward, we will present you with an informed consent document detailing your rights, a Good Faith Estimate of the cost for services, and when payment should be rendered. Once payment for the remainder of services are rendered, we will schedule your appointment(s) for the assessments or testing.
Testing Day: We will welcome you to the testing space and allow you to settle in. We will start the day with a brief conversation to allow you to become more comfortable with your clinician who will explain more about the types of assessments and/or questionnaires you will complete during your session. On occasion, the clinician may provide questionnaires prior to your appointment to make the process more efficient. If the clinical interview has not been completed prior to the testing appointment, it will be completed at the start of the testing session. Testing can take approximately 2 to 4 hours depending on the individual, their abilities, and the number of breaks needed throughout the session. You are allowed to bring snacks and a drink for breaks.
It is highly recommended that you have a restful night’s sleep and take any important medications on the day of testing. If you are being evaluated or reevaluated for ADHD or another medical condition, the clinician will let you know PRIOR to your appointment if you should refrain from taking your medication. If you utilize any aids or devices such as a communication device, hearing aids, or wear glasses please make sure you have them on the day of testing.
After Testing Day: The clinician will evaluate your test results and synthesize the information Into a report. The clinician may reach out to follow-up on any information that may be missing or to clarify information provided. Generally, reports may take 2 to 3 weeks to prepare depending on the type of testing completed and/or the complexity of the individual’s case.
Feedback Session: Once the report is completed, a feedback session will be scheduled where the clinician will review the results with the individual and/or any support individuals who are asked to attend. During the feedback session, the clinician will go over your results, explore any recommendations, answer questions, and help you with next steps as needed.
Assessment FAQs
What does an assessment entail?
Are assessments culturally-sensitive?
How do I schedule an assessment?
Please contact us via email at info@purejoypsych.com or call our office at (832) 409-1270. You can also submit a message here.
How long are appointments? Where are appointments held?
Assessment appointments typically take 1-4 hours. For more complex testing needs, sessions may be split over more than one day to accommodate.
How much are assessments?
Our assessment fees vary depending on the unique services and testing materials that are appropriate to best answer and address our clients’ needs. I can provide a quote for the specific services relevant for your case during the intake call.
Do you accept insurance?
I am considered an out-of-network service provider. We do not participate with or accept payment from insurance companies. Clients are responsible for fees at the time of service. Upon payment, we provide a Superbill that can be submitted to an insurer for any eligible reimbursement.