What is a Psychological Assessment?
psychological assessment speaks to brain-based strengths and weakness often associated with psychiatric disorders such as depression, neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and neurocognitive disorders such as traumatic brain injuries and dementia.
The team at Rhode Island Counseling Associates uses detailed medical, developmental, social, academic, and psychological histories to inform their neuropsychological assessments. This broad battery of tests looks carefully at your:
- Intelligence
- Language
- Visual-spatial abilities
- Fine motor skills
- Speed of information processing
- Memory, learning and academic abilities
- Emotional and social functioning
- Cognitive flexibility
- Problem-solving and conceptualization
- Planning and organization
- Visual tracking
As weaknesses surface through the testing process, the team might recommend additional tests to discover the root cause of your challenges. In addition, the team bases their work off a strength-based model, so they’ll also help you identify what you’re really good at. The goal of testing is your ultimate well-being, both body and mind.
Who can benefit from a psychological assessment?
The team at Rhode Island Counseling Associates works with people of all ages, from children to senior citizens. Psychological assessments can benefit children who are struggling in the classroom; athletes who are recovering from injuries, such as concussions; as well as people living with emotional or social difficulties like anxiety, depression, or trauma.
In addition, the team might recommend a psychological assessment to:
- Diagnose or rule out certain conditions
- Track progress before and after interventions
- Plan educational or vocational programs
- Determine a disability
- Provide a baseline
You might also benefit from a psychological assessment if you have a child with neurological or developmental disorders.
What happens when I have a psychological assessment?
When you undergo a psychological assessment at Rhode island Counseling Associates, your provider explains how each test is carried out and makes sure you’re happy to proceed. Regardless of the type of psychological assessment you choose, an average assessment includes between 6-12 hours of one-on-one, in-person time.
You can take breaks when you need to, but the team doesn’t work under time constraints and continues the assessment process until they get a clear, in-depth picture of you, and answer all questions and concerns. Therefore you might need to attend multiple sessions. Additionally, if you give them permission, the team can contact collateral sources, like your spouse, teachers, therapists, or physicians, to get a more comprehensive understanding of the issues you face.
The assessment tools are up-to-date, specialized, and often innovative. Crucially, the team at Rhode Island Counseling Associates works from a strength-based model, so identifying what you are good at is also extremely important.
What happens after my psychological assessment?
After your psychological assessment, you receive a detailed written report as well as a consultation with your provider at Rhode Island Counseling Associates. A psychological assessment breaks down skills into the underlying abilities or components to ultimately understand who you are as a person and how you function.
The written reports are comprehensive and include visual representations so that anyone can review the report and get a clear understanding of your strengths and weaknesses.
Most importantly, your report contains the team’s treatment recommendations, which make up a roadmap towards wellness. Recommendations include a variety of traditional and innovative therapies, including:
- Classroom or work accommodations
- Technological support
- Remediation programs
- Appropriate books and websites
- Behavioral guides
- Advocacy referrals
- Summer programs
Whether you’re facing a challenge in learning, behavior, or development, or you want to understand yourself at a deeper level, the team at Rhode Island Counseling Associates can help; make an appointment today by calling the office at 401-259-0340 or filling out our simple contact form here.
