Psychological, Neuropsychological and Forensic Assessment

If someone has suggested that either you or your child might benefit from a psychological or forensic assessment, you may wonder about the reasons why, potential benefits, and what takes place during an evaluation with one of our psychologists.

Psychological testing and assessment are somewhat similar to medical testing. Just like a doctor may order tests to diagnose a condition or put together a treatment plan, psychologists do the same thing for a variety of issues.

Clarity Clinic NWI offers several different type of assessments:

  • Psychological
  • Neuropsychological
  • Forensic

These different types of evaluations serve many purposes including identifying mental health concerns, determining readiness for surgical procedures, helping to recognize learning disabilities, guiding the development of behavior plans, and determining eligibility for gifted programs/school readiness.

Evaluations can also help make sense of a problem, clarify diagnoses, provide strategies to help you or your child function better at school, and make recommendations for community-based treatment.

Psychological and Neurological Assessment

Below are examples of some reasons why someone might seek a psychological, neurological, or educational assessment. This list is not exhaustive and other testing needs can be discussed with our psychologist..

  • Pre-Surgical Bariatric and Spinal Cord Stimulator Psychological Screenings
  • Attention Disorders and Executive Functioning (e.g. ADHD)
  • Social-Emotional Functioning including Depression, Anxiety, & Bipolar Disorder
  • Developmental delays and Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Behavioral Concerns (e.g. Oppositional Defiant Disorder)
  • Intellectual Functioning, academic skills, and learning disorders (i.e. reading fluency and comprehension, math, problem-solving, and writing), and processing skills.
  • Admittance to Academically Gifted/Talented Programs
  • Psychological disturbances and reality testing

Forensic Assessments

Forensic neuropsychological evaluations are similar to clinical neuropsychological evaluations in that both utilize neuropsychological testing to illuminate an individual’s current cognitive and adaptive functioning. Forensic evaluations, however, address legal questions often as part of civil or criminal cases. Typically, an attorney hires a neuropsychologist to maintain attorney-client privilege and discussions regarding forensic assessment rates and a retainer are agreed upon prior to beginning the evaluation. Insurance does not usually cover these types of evaluations.

Examples of forensic neuropsychological evaluations include:

  • Independent Medical/Neuropsychological Evaluations (IME) providing neuropsychological evaluations and consultations, peer/case reviews, and independent disability examinations (IME)
  • Case reviews and consultation
  • Personal injury evaluations
  • Medical malpractice evaluations
  • Criminal evaluations and consultations
  • Decision-making capacity evaluation

How long does an evaluation take?

Evaluation protocols are specifically tailored to a client’s individual needs. Generally, most assessments take place over 1 to 2 days, with each session lasting approximately 3 to 4 hours. Depending on the reason for referral or other specific concerns, additional hours may be necessary.

What does the assessment process look like?

Psychological, neurological and forensic assessments always begin with a structured clinical interview. This is an opportunity for you to describe the presenting problem, discuss your concerns, and the psychologist will work with you on what testing measures they recommend. Together you will schedule the actual testing sessions and any necessary paperwork will be supplied to be completed in advance. Often assessments include interviews with significant others (e.g. parents or teachers), and a review of past records/relevant documents such as IEPs, previous testing results, or medical charts. Once all the necessary information is received and testing is complete, the assessments will be scored and interpreted. A report will be written which contains the test results, diagnosis (if appropriate), conceptualization of the problem, and a list of recommendations.

The entire process typically takes 8-12 hours. Reports generally take 2-4 weeks to complete, at which time a feedback session will be scheduled to go over the results with you. A signed copy of the written report will be given to you at the conclusion of the feedback session. With your written permission, we will also make the report available to any other educational, mental health, and/or medical providers (e.g. surgeon, psychiatrist, therapist) to assist with continuity of care.

What are the next steps?

Clarity Clinic is committed to offering excellent comprehensive evaluation services to the children, teens, and adults of Northwest Indiana. If you would like to schedule an intake appointment, please call us at (219) 513-0043 to schedule an appointment with one of our psychologists.