What To Expect

Wondering what to anticipate during your psychological evaluation?

The evaluation process is designed to be structured, thorough, and tailored to your specific concerns. Each step is intended to gather meaningful information, clarify diagnosis, and provide clear, practical recommendations.

The Evaluation Process: A Timeline

Before the appointment:

Step 1: Request an Appointment

Reach out by phone, email, or using the secure referral request form on the website to request an appointment. We will work with your schedule to find a time and date that works for you.

Step 2: Records and Online Forms

You will have a few weeks before your scheduled appointment to request records be sent from outside agencies to the psychologist if desired. This may include school or health records.

During the appointment:

Step 3: Intake Interview

Usually around 1 hour of time spent interviewing with the psychologist to discuss your mental health symptoms and other information that may be relevant to the clinical picture.

Step 4: Testing Session

Anywhere from 1.5 to 4 hours may be scheduled to complete psychological testing. This may be questionnaires for you to fill out or activities performed with the psychologist.

After the appointment:

Step 5: Review and Report Writing

The psychologist will review your history and testing results, and integrate them in a full, multipage report where everything will be discussed in detail, including a diagnosis and recommendations.

Step 6: Receive Your Report

You will receive a copy of your psychological report from the psychologist which you can then schedule to review with the psychologist, or take with you to your own doctor or relevant agency.

Step 7: Feedback Session

An optional feedback session may be scheduled for you to sit down with the psychologist or do a phone consultation to review your report and receive answers to remaining questions.

Additional Details

How to prepare for your appointment

  • Get a full night of sleep prior to your appointment

  • Eat beforehand and stay hydrated

  • Take medications as prescribed unless otherwise discussed

  • Bring glasses, hearing aids, or any necessary assistive devices

  • Bring any relevant records or documentation (if available)

  • Plan to arrive on time and allow enough time for the full appointment

  • Limit distractions and avoid alcohol or substance use prior to testing

For child and adolescent appointments

  • Caregivers may be asked to provide additional background information or complete questionnaires in advance.

  • Please ensure that your child takes all prescribed psychiatric and/or ADHD medications as directed on the day of the evaluation unless otherwise instructed by the evaluator or prescribing provider. Although parents sometimes wish for evaluators to observe unmedicated behaviors, psychological and cognitive testing is intended to assess your child’s current level of functioning and abilities under typical conditions. Not taking prescribed medication may negatively impact attention, behavior, effort, emotional regulation, and test performance, which could skew or invalidate results.

How to prepare your child for their appointment

  • Let your child know they will be meeting with a psychologist to do activities and answer questions

  • Describe the appointment in a neutral, positive way (avoid framing it as a “test” or something they can pass or fail)

  • Encourage your child to try their best, but reassure them there are no right or wrong answers for many tasks

  • Make sure your child gets a full night of sleep and has eaten beforehand

  • Bring any comfort items your child may need (if appropriate)

  • Arrive on time and allow your child a few moments to settle in

  • It is best not to coach or rehearse answers with your child beforehand, as the goal is to understand their natural abilities and functioning.