Psychological Evaluations

What Are Psychological Evaluations?

Psychological evaluations are focused on understanding an individual’s emotional and personality functioning. These assessments involve a comprehensive clinical interview, followed by standardized paper-and-pencil or computer-based tests that assess patterns of mood, thought processes, and behavior. While these evaluations may include some cognitive testing, they are not as in-depth as a neuropsychological evaluation in assessing brain-based cognitive functions.

Psychological evaluations are particularly useful for understanding psychiatric conditions, developing treatment plans, and exploring personality traits that impact interpersonal relationships, occupational performance, or overall well-being.

If the primary concern is related to emotions, personality traits, or psychiatric diagnoses, a psychological evaluation is likely the better fit. For questions about cognitive functioning, memory, or the effects of brain injuries or neurological conditions, a neuropsychological evaluation may be warranted.

When Are Psychological Evaluations Warranted?

Psychological evaluations are typically conducted for the following reasons:

• Diagnosing Psychiatric Conditions: Assess for mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or personality disorders.
  
  

• Treatment Planning and Recommendations: Identify emotional and behavioral patterns to guide therapeutic interventions or medication management.
  
  

• Personality Assessment: Explore personality traits to better understand relational dynamics or psychological resilience.
  
  

• Occupational Fitness Evaluations: Determine an individual’s ability to perform specific roles, such as assessing fitness for duty.
  
  

• Pre-Surgical Assessments: Evaluate readiness for medical procedures such as bariatric surgery, spinal cord stimulator (SCS) implantation, or pain pump placement, ensuring mental preparedness and the likelihood of successful outcomes.
  
  

• Psychiatric Disability Evaluations: Assess for eligibility related to disability claims, focusing on how psychological conditions impact daily functioning.

1. Clinical Interview: The evaluation begins with a detailed interview to gather information about your personal and medical history, symptoms, lifestyle, and goals for the evaluation.
   
   

2. Standardized Testing: Tests may include assessments of mood, anxiety, personality traits, and specific areas of concern such as attention or learning abilities. Testing may be paper-and-pencil or computer-based.

   
   

3. Feedback Session: Results are reviewed during a follow-up session, where diagnoses, insights, and treatment recommendations are discussed.
   
   

4. Written Report: A detailed report summarizing the findings and recommendations is provided to support treatment planning or other needs.
   
   

The time required for a psychological evaluation depends on the referral question and complexity of the case. Face-to-face time typically ranges from 2 to 8 hours, with additional time needed for scoring, interpretation, and report writing.

What to Expect During a Psychological Evaluation