Psychological assessment is an overarching term for the process of using a combination of techniques (e.g., testing, clinical interview, record review, etc.) to help arrive at some hypotheses about a person and their behavior, personality, and capabilities. Alternative names are psychological testing and psychological evaluation. Specific types of psychological assessment include psychoeducational assessment, psychodiagnostic assessment, and neuropsychological assessment.

We believe that understanding the way our minds work is fundamental to optimizing our abilities. Someone with great problem-solving skills but slow processing speed, for instance, might believe that they are incapable of solving complex tasks, but may actually perform above average when given extra time to complete the problem. A psychological assessment not only provides you with insightful information about your functioning, but, in some cases, may be used as a psychoeducational evaluation to demonstrate that you meet the criteria for special accommodations (e.g., extra time for standardized tests or in school). By understanding your cognitive functioning, you can identify and maximize your strengths, while addressing your challenges and minimizing their effects. The comprehensive report that we will provide you at the end of your assessment will clearly explain the findings and provide detailed recommendations regarding specific supports, services, and accommodations, as well as treatment and other follow-ups, as needed.

We will discuss your needs and explore testing options during our consultation call to determine the most appropriate type of assessment.

Prior to your assessment, we will ask you to fill out a set of intake materials to provide us with a basic overview of your history and an understanding of what you hope to learn from the assessment process. We will ask you to provide as much information as you can regarding personal history, such as medical, developmental or educational records, as well as any past assessment results, which will provide a more complete picture of your functioning to-date. All of these materials will be integrated into the clinical conceptualization provided to you at the conclusion of your assessment.

If your assessment is going to be used to apply for special accommodations in school or on standardized tests, we may require school records, past test reports, or other supportive documentation detailing any previous learning difficulties or psychiatric issues, as well as a personal written statement. If you have not received accommodations in the past or have not been previously diagnosed, a statement explaining your request for special accommodations may be required. The better documentation we have of your history, the better we will be able to assemble a report that clarifies your needs for certain accommodations.

Because every assessment is customized, the preparation will vary from person to person. You will never be required to study any materials before coming to an assessment, but we may ask you to bring some materials with you, such as any previous psychological assessment results, reports from schools, or other records, as needed. Depending on the nature of the assessment, we will be able to recommend items that you may want to have with you for the process, like a water bottle or a packed lunch.

All of our assessments are designed to be customized, but efficient, providing us with a holistic picture of your learning. We pride ourselves on prioritizing expediency without sacrificing integrity. A single assessment may consist of any number of tests and subtests. The battery is thoughtfully selected to help us develop a full picture of your functioning. As such, depending on the referral question, your individual assessment can take between 4-8 hours and may require multiple sessions. All of these details will be discussed with you prior to beginning the testing process, and our team will work closely with you to arrange for an optimal and effective evaluation, determining the best plan for the timing of the assessment.

The results of an assessment depend on the nature of the testing. In other words, if you or your child are looking to find out about a possible learning disability, the testing process will focus on assessing strengths and deficits in learning processes, and the report will discuss our findings regarding diagnosis and include recommendations to improve learning success. However, even assessments for learning disabilities can benefit from exploring other areas, such as anxiety, that might also be affecting academic success. As such, our assessment reports are thoroughly constructed to look at a wide array of areas that will help us learn more about how our clients’ minds work best, whether the presenting problem is academic, vocational, or emotional, all with an aim toward success through insight.

We know it’s important for you to get results in a timely manner, so we strive to provide preliminary verbal results within 3-4 days of the assessment. Depending on the complexity of the case, we will aim to provide a full report and schedule a time to review the results together within 3-4 weeks of the completion of an assessment.

At the completion of the assessment process, a member of our team will go over the results with you thoroughly and will be available to answer any questions you may have. Depending on the nature of the assessment, you may be advised to pursue additional resources to help you get support for success, such as an organizational coach, psychotherapist, tutor, or specific academic resources, such as extended time or other classroom accommodations. Our team will be available to discuss recommendations and application of the results with you at length to ensure that the results are put to best use towards achieving your goals for yourself or your child.

Our team strives to make scheduling as easy as possible. We provide a wide array of testing times, including evenings and weekends, so that you can have the opportunity to receive an assessment without missing school, work, or other weekday commitments. For a free consultation or to schedule an appointment, call us at 646-828-6627 or contact us over email.

At the outset of the testing process, you will work together with a member of the United Assessment team to determine the best venue for you or your child to complete testing. Deciding on the best location for testing may depend on your schedule, the availability of a quiet and non-distracting workspace in your home, your ability to travel to another testing location, and the nature of the assessment being completed. Our team is committed to providing a convenient and thorough assessment, working with you to make the testing process as seamless as possible by thoughtfully choosing the best possible testing location to suit the needs of you or your child.

In accordance with our policy, assessment is always an initial out-of-pocket expense, even if your insurance company provides for some reimbursement. While most insurers do not cover testing as an in-network benefit, many will reimburse you for a portion of the costs through your out-of-network benefits, if applicable. It is your responsibility to know the benefits and provisions of your insurance policy.

Because our assessments are highly personalized, the time and materials needed for the tests and subtests that comprise each assessment we administer can vary greatly from person to person. Charges are determined based on the composition of the assessment battery (i.e., which tests are used). As such, all rates are discussed with each client on an individual basis. Clients are asked to provide payment for all assessments at the time the services are rendered.

Our team is proud to offer assessment services in New York City (Manhattan, Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens, Staten Island), New York State (Westchester County, Rockland County, Nassau County, Suffolk County, Orange County, Putnam County, Dutchess County, Sullivan County, Ulster County, Delaware County, Greene County, Columbia County, Albany County, Rensselaer County, Schoharie County, Otsego County), Connecticut (Fairfield County, New Haven County, Litchfield County, Middlesex County, Hartford County, Tolland County, Windham County, New London County), Washington D.C., California, Florida, and Montana.