Have you or a family member been referred for psychological assessment in Grand Rapids? You probably have some questions about what to expect, or you may have heard about psychological assessment services and wondered if you or a family member should be tested. Psychological testing may sound intimidating, but it is designed to help you. In many ways, psychological testing can help with planning for treatment for emotional, educational and other needs. It also can provide a picture of a person’s cognitive and psychological functioning.

What are Psychiatric Testing and Assessments?

Psychiatric testing and assessment is a broad, inclusive, and formal way of discerning personality traits and conditions, psychological problems, cognitive and educational status and advancement, neurological or brain problems or injury, social and emotional functioning and substance abuse or chemical dependency. Psychiatrists are typically the practitioner that prescribes medicine to help with emotional and behavioral problems, although more recently Nurse practitioners and Physician’s assistants also prescribe these medicines.

On the psychiatric side, psychiatric testing and assessments are similar to medical tests. If a patient has physical symptoms, a primary care provider may order X-rays or blood tests to understand what’s causing these symptoms. Psychiatrists can order these tests as well, if needed for diagnosis or treatment planning. The results of the tests will help inform and develop the treatment plan and or medication protocol.

Signs You or Your Loved One Might Need a Psychological Assessment

Children and Adults referred for a psychological evaluation have or are suspected of having cognitive and emotional difficulties in one or more of the following areas: Attention, arousal, and concentration, learning and memory, reasoning and problem solving and/or emotional, social, or behavioral regulation. Tests that psychologists use have all been determined to be consistent and valid and have the weight of scientific research that helps with confidence in the findings we discover.

Different Kinds of Psychiatric Tests & Assessments

Neuropsychological testing is used to help in understanding cognitive, emotional, and behavioral impairments that usually result from disease or brain injury. Tests of memory and cognition are often administered to provide helpful information to patients and doctors for treatment planning of psychotherapy, rehabilitation, medication and other medical interventions.

Personality assessment is often used to help the individual design an effective psychological treatment plan to help with mental health, chemical dependency or developmental problems. At times personality assessment can be used to assess a patient’s psychological readiness to undergo an operation or help with treatment planning post operation as is the case in assessments for gastric bypass surgery. Personality assessment may be used to understand deeper psychological conflicts that interfere with effective psychotherapy and counseling. A good mental interview that ascertains a person’s psychological strengths and weaknesses is an important part of early counseling or psychotherapy.

Psychological evaluation is often used to determine the validity of someone’s appeal for disability insurance, workers compensation, or auto accident recovery. Since tests that psychologists employ have been scientifically validated they usually carry a good deal of weight in cases of psychiatric disability.

Psychoeducational assessments are also available. The purpose of these assessments is to identify strengths and weaknesses of the student. This information may be used for proper placement (gifted, special education) or accommodations. The structure of the assessment varies according to the student and the referral question. Standardized administered intellectual, academic, and memory testing are frequently required by schools. Intelligence tests are often employed for educational purposes or readiness for various types of vocational training. These tests can provide educators and trainers with valuable information to help tailor the person’s education around certain strengths and weaknesses. Intelligence tests often point out issues that cause educational troubles such as distractibility and anxiety.

Clients are referred for various psychological tests from physicians, educators, neurologists, other psychotherapists, courts and custody evaluators. Psychologists are uniquely trained in the use of these various psychiatric tests and assessments and can provide valuable help with education, psychotherapy, brain injury and disease, mental health planning, occupational and vocational treatment and medical conditions of various kinds.

Psychotherapy is actually the treatment of emotional and behavioral problems. When treatment has begun psychologists and psychotherapists usually start by getting to know the patent and what his or her unique needs are for treatment. The psychologist or psychotherapist will help with reassurance and support so that much of the anxiety a patient brings into the evaluation will dissipate quickly.

At Sollars and Associates we place a high value on all of our psychologists and psychotherapists that you interact with being caring, thoughtful, and kind professionals. We provide psychological assessment services and psychotherapy to Grand Rapids and the surrounding cities. We also have a referral network of psychiatrists and other medication providers in the area to help with your medication needs. If you feel you or your loved one should receive psychiatric testing, reach out! We respond quickly to inquiries and schedule initial consultations for evaluation typically within a week.