What are Psychiatric Testing and Assessments?

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

On the psychiatric side, psychiatrists can prescribe diagnostic 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

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

Different Kinds of Psychiatric Tests & Assessments

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

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

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

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

Clients are referred for various psychological tests or assessments from educators, physicians, other psychotherapists, neurologists, courts, and potentially custody evaluators. Our psychologists in Grand Rapids are uniquely trained in the use of these various psychological assessments and can provide valuable help with psychotherapy, mental health planning, education, brain injury and disease, vocational and occupational treatment, and other 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 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.