Psychological Evaluations and Assessments
Clarity begins with understanding
Sometimes the first step toward healing is simply knowing what is happening and why.
A psychological evaluation can help identify patterns in mood, behavior, or thought that may not be obvious from day-to-day experience.
It provides a clear foundation for treatment and helps you make informed choices about next steps.
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When an evaluation may help
Psychological assessments are often recommended when you or another professional want a deeper understanding of your mental and emotional functioning.
You may benefit from an evaluation if you are:
Experiencing mood changes, anxiety, or stress that feel difficult to explain
Unsure whether symptoms reflect depression, trauma, or another condition
Seeking clarity before beginning or adjusting therapy or medication
Preparing documentation for medical, educational, or occupational reasons
Exploring adoption or immigration requirements that need a formal report
Referred by a physician, attorney, or court for diagnostic purposes
Evaluations are not only for diagnosis. They are tools to help you and your care team understand your strengths, challenges, and the most effective ways to move forward.
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Types of evaluations offered
Diagnostic assessments for anxiety, depression, and other mood concerns
Personality and coping assessments to explore patterns of behavior and emotional regulation
Pre-adoption evaluations (for international adoption and agency requirements)
Work-related and stress evaluations when functioning or performance is affected by emotional factors
Clinical assessments for treatment planning or referral coordination
Each evaluation is designed around your specific needs and referral questions.
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What to expect
Initial consultation
We begin with a meeting to clarify your goals, background, and any specific concerns. This helps determine what kind of assessment will provide the most useful information.Testing and interviews
Depending on the purpose, testing may include clinical interviews, standardized questionnaires, and other structured tools. All assessments are evidence-based and selected for reliability and cultural sensitivity.Analysis and interpretation
Results are carefully reviewed and integrated into a full understanding of your psychological profile. When appropriate, I coordinate with other professionals involved in your care.Feedback and recommendations
You receive a clear, written summary and a discussion of findings in plain language. We focus on practical recommendations that support ongoing growth or treatment.
My approach
As a licensed psychologist with over fifteen years of clinical experience, I view assessment as a collaborative process rather than a judgment. The goal is to create clarity and empowerment, not labels. Evaluations are conducted with the same empathy, privacy, and professionalism as therapy sessions.
I also bring specialized training in men’s mental health, sexuality, and eating-related concerns, which allows me to interpret results with nuance and depth that standard assessments may overlook.
Confidentiality and professional standards
All assessments follow the ethical guidelines of the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Your information remains confidential unless you request that results be shared with another provider or agency.
Insurance and fees
Coverage for psychological evaluations varies by plan. During the consultation, we can discuss your options, determine whether your insurance reimburses for assessment services, and create a plan that fits your situation. Learn more about insurance and fees.
A free 15-minute consultation is available to help you decide if this is the right next step.
What you can expect to gain
A clear understanding of your emotional and cognitive strengths
Insight into challenges that may be affecting daily life
Documentation for medical, educational, or legal purposes
Specific, evidence-based recommendations for treatment or growth
Greater confidence in how to move forward
Begin with clarity
If you are unsure what kind of help you need or have been told that an evaluation could help guide treatment, start with a conversation.
We can discuss your situation and determine whether a psychological evaluation is the right next step.
Book a Free Consultation
EVALUATIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION
Usually, people find it intimidating to see a psychologist for a psychological evaluation. As an adoptive parents myself I am trying to do my best to make this process as convenient as possible for any future adoptive parents. When considering international adoption, it is essential to understand that each country has its own set of specific requirements for the evaluation process. This comprehensive assessment typically involves a diagnostic interview, a thorough review of personal and family records, completion of personality questionnaires, and the preparation of a detailed written report. The primary focus of this evaluation is to explore your family dynamics, personal history, and mental health background, as well as your views on parenting. The questionnaires are designed to systematically assess any psychological symptoms that may impact your parenting capabilities, ensuring a well-rounded understanding of your readiness for this significant commitment.
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Diagnostic Interview: This is about a 60 minute appointment where we can identify important aspect of the individual’s history from a standpoint of adoption. This interview is semi-structured in that I will go through a process of gathering the required information about you mental health and family history.
Psychological Assessments/Questionnaires: The next step involves completing an assessment tool that is composed of 344 item objective personality test designed to assess 4 validity indicators, 11 clinical scales, 5 treatment consideration scales, and 2 interpersonal style scales, as well as several more specific subscales. The couple planning to adopt child is requested to conduct the test in the psychologist’s office. It is not a general knowledge or education based quiz. For this, one does not have to study. It requires the respondent to select the best possible answer according to their preference. Questions are associated with one’s encounter with anxiety, depression, or any other mental disorder. It is normal to feel anxious while attempting the assessment, particularly when one comes across the questions which do not seem to be related to the adoption procedure. The results are then discussed in the psychological report.
Report: You will be provided a copy of the report, which includes information about your history, test results, diagnosis, and recommendations. The report will cover the specific information that the country of origin is requesting. In mostr cases, I am required to have the report notarized and sent to the adoption agency.
After the detailed interview plus pre-adoption assessment, the psychologist composes one letter according to the country’s requirements. A majority of agencies give a sample letter and few of them might also request for a review of the report before submission. It generally takes a week for the final report to be completed.
During the interview and the test, be yourself and know that it is normal to feel a little anxious. It is absolutely fine to open up in front of the psychologist regarding your previous psychological issues and personal history.
I do my best to make the Pre-Adoption Evaluation as seamless as possible and are sensitive to the concerns and issues that a pre-adoptive couple or individual may have experienced in the past. Issues such as past psychological treatment for anxiety, loss of a pregnancy, and difficulty conceiving are frequently encountered and are treated with understanding and compassion. I know that the adoption process is stressful and will assist you in this step of the process in a thoughtful and timely manner. I have completed countless Pre-Adoption Evaluations and is I am highly familiar with the requirements with numerous countries who participate in international adoptions. Contact me to start the Pre-Adoption Evaluation process. We can start with a free 15 minute phone consultation to discuss the requirements for the country you plan to adopt from as well as details of the process and costs. Then we schedule approximately 3-4 hours of time (which can take place on the same day if needed, or spread out over several sessions depending upon your schedule). After the interview and testing, the report will be sent to the required parties within a week.
PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT FOR BETTER TREATMENT OUTCOME
Comprehensive Psychological Evaluation
This assessment is designed to help you and your treatment team develop a detailed picture of your current mental health profile. This psychological assessment can help you clarify diagnoses, such as anxiety disorders, depression, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, or personality disorders. They also help fortify a plan for treatment that maximizes your strengths and cultivates a plan to reduce symptoms.
Psychosexual Evaluation
To assess problematic or compulsive sexual behavior, a psychosexual evaluation is a good start. This assessment is designed to help people better understand their relationship to sexuality. It offers a plan of action to assist in curtailing any problematic or compulsive sexual behavior.
Psychological Evaluation for Couples
In this psychological assessment, each member of the relationship is evaluated separately, to assess any mental health concerns that may be impacting them as individuals or the relationship. Next, it looks at how both partners relate to each other, and provides the couples with a plan for addressing their concerns individually and together.