Psychological Assessment Services
I offer a wide range of psychological assessment services, including Independent Psychological Evaluations (also known as IME) and Psycho-legal Assessments for the courts. Psychological assessments are typically requested by third parties such as insurance companies, law firms, medical or rehabilitation professionals, or disability management companies.
Psychological assessments provide a detailed description of the client’s psychological and psychosocial functioning, and include a multiaxial psychological/psychiatric diagnosis. Psychological assessments conducted for specific purposes may answer the following type of questions:
Insurance claim or disability management assessment: What psychological factors prevent this client from functioning optimally and returning to work? What supports and accommodations does this client need to function optimally and return to work? What activities or work duties would this client have difficulties completing as a result of psychological factors? Is this client expected to further recover, or are current difficulties likely permanent?
Psycho-legal assessment for the courts: What impact did a traumatic incident (such as a motor vehicle accident or crime) have on this client’s psychological functioning? Are there other factors that play a role in this client’s psychological functioning? To what degree is this client expected to recover from the traumatic incident? What kind of psychological treatment will help this client recover?
Psychodiagnostic or personality assessment: Would this client’s psychological functioning be better described as a Phobia or as Posttraumatic Stress Disorder? Are this client’s depressive symptoms the result of chronic pain or other factors? What personality features explain why this client has difficulty in a given area of life?
Psychological assessments therefore include some or all of the following components:
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Review of file information provided by the client and/or referring agency
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Clinical interview to collect background information and assess current functioning
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Psychometric testing
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Collateral information from other health care providers or family members
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Multiaxial DSM-IV-TR diagnosis
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Formulation of relevant causal or contributing factors
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Prognosis and Treatment or management recommendations
- Written assessment report
- Feedback of assessment findings to the client
Feel free to contact me if you wish to discuss an assessment referral.