Benefits of a Psychological Evaluation
Psychological testing is an important part of mental health care. It can be done either as a first step of treatment or at any point in someone’s mental heath journey. If you haven’t started treatment yet, testing is a great way to get started on the right path with a proper diagnosis and a better understanding of yourself. If you have been in treatment with either therapy or medications and don’t seem to be making the progress you were looking for, testing can help with this too. Many people who have never been tested end up with the wrong diagnosis and therefore, the wrong treatment. Testing can guide you back on the right path to make sure that you are getting the care you need. Sometimes people also use testing as a way to track progress. This is especially important for kids and teens. Just like going to a Pediatrician to track physical change and growth, testing with a Psychologist can track emotional and academic progress in children. Whatever your testing need is, Zephyr Care is here with you to help you find the answers!
The Testing Process
The testing process begins with an initial evaluation appointment with a Psychologist. The Psychologist will ask questions about what brings you in for testing as well as questions about your history. This appointment helps the Psychologist to get to know more about you and decide with you about the type of testing you are needing. This appointment lasts up to one hour.
Next, testing will take place. Some testing only requires the completion of questionnaires, which can be completed at your own pace and on your own time. Many types of testing require an additional appointment in which interactive tests are completed with a Certified Psychological Assistant. This appointment usually lasts about 3 to 4 hours. If the testing is for a child or teen, some testing may require a parent to be present, while other testing will not. Testing for children and teens also includes questionnaires to be completed by parents/guardians about their child and when possible, questionnaires to be completed by a teacher as well.
After all testing is completed, the Psychologist will review your test results and write a report based on your results. The report will contain a diagnosis and recommendations to help with the next steps of your treatment (if applicable). The Psychologist will send your report to you. You will have the opportunity to schedule an optional feedback session with the Psychologist if you choose in order to discuss your results and recommendations and ask questions.
We offer some testing services at our Music Row office in Nashville. We also offer virtual/telehealth testing. With virtual psychological evaluations, you meet with a Licensed Psychologist and complete all testing without ever going into an office. All testing is completed through a private HIPAA compliant video/audio virtual platform from the comfort of your home, work, school, or wherever is convenient for you. The testing that we offer is the exact same testing that would be given in a Psychologist’s office, just in a convenient virtual format.
Virtual Psychological Evaluations
During the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth became essential for many medical and mental health services. Many people reported that they preferred the convenience of virtual appointments and so we decided to continue to provide virtual testing on a permanent basis in order to serve people looking for this option. We have been able to help a broad range of people – from those in rural areas who live far from a Psychologist’s office to those with busy schedules who find it more convenient to test from their own home, and everyone else in between! We can provide virtual testing to people in most states.