Our Evaluation Process

before your initial appointment…

Our admin team will work with you to ensure that all of the necessary paperwork is completed through our client portal. If you’re using health insurance, they will call your carrier to verify your coverage and specific benefits. You’ll receive an email with estimated out-of-pocket costs based on this verification, typically two business days before your appointment. If your initial appointment is virtual, the link to join is provided either via text or email 48 hours beforehand (depending on your chosen preferences).

getting started…

You’ll meet with your evaluator for an initial interview, which can typically take place either in person or via telehealth, and lasts about an hour. You’ll be asked to share information about why you’re seeking an evaluation and your evaluator will use this as a starting point to guide testing. Details about the evaluation process, expectations and limitations will be discussed, and your evaluator will answer any questions that you may have. In rare cases, your evaluator may determine that you are best served by a different type of specialist or professional and recommendations will be provided.

Before wrapping up, your evaluator will schedule two in-person testing appointments. A third appointment is often needed if you have requested educational testing (additional fees apply).

testing appointments…

Testing appointments are conducted in our Cornelius office and are scheduled in two-hour blocks. The actual appointment length can vary based on the age of the person being evaluated and the number of breaks that are needed. Your evaluator will ask you to sign releases of information so we can gather records, send out collateral assessments to teachers/caregivers/partners, and speak with other mental health professionals involved in your care.

Psychological testing includes a combination of cognitive, personality, behavioral and/or neurodevelopmental measures. We also use symptom-specific measures when appropriate. All of the testing measures we administer are well-researched and widely accepted as the gold standard for assessment in the field.

We do not allow parents to stay in the room during testing. However, we’re happy to take breaks so your child can have a quick check-in with you in the lobby. For children under age seven or those who require assistance with toileting, we ask that you remain in the office for the duration of the appointment. For all other parents, we ask that you stay within close proximity of the office and be reachable via phone.

receiving feedback…

After the testing appointments are completed, your evaluator will be busy compiling records, sending out assessments, scoring and interpreting testing, and speaking with collateral sources. As soon as all of the necessary information is obtained, our admin team will reach out to schedule your feedback session. A final report will be generated and includes a summary of all the pieces relied on, results of testing, a summary of the findings, and diagnostic impressions. Finally, your evaluator will offer recommendations for services, programs, interventions, and/or accommodations, as well as resources to learn more about the findings provided.

The feedback appointment typically takes place about six weeks after completion of the testing appointments and can be in-person or via telehealth. If you have additional questions after the feedback appointment, please reach out to the office, and your evaluator will follow up with clarification. An additional feedback appointment can be requested, and you’ll be informed of the associated fees in advance.

At your request and with a release on file, we are happy to share the report with your therapist, primary care physician, or psychiatric provider.