psychological evaluation services
Substance abuse treatment is most effective when the treatment team and family thoroughly understand a client’s strengths and weaknesses. A top-quality psychological assessment provides critical information about cognitive and academic abilities as well as mental health and personality development. This information can then be used to develop a treatment plan that is tailored to meet specific needs.
Psychological assessment at PTR takes place in the third to fourth week of treatment, when clients have had time to settle into the treatment environment and become motivated participants in their treatment, and the effects of any substances they may have taken prior to treatment have been eliminated or drastically reduced. Although it may seem unusual to conduct psychological testing with a young adult who is already in treatment, this is in fact a crucial part of the recovery process. Testing provides invaluable diagnostic information to differentiate the impact and influence of substance use disorders as compared to the effects of other mental health, learning, or environmental problems. Even if a client has been assessed before, it is not unusual for the testing to have been conducted under less than optimal circumstances, such as while the client was under the influence of substances or was confused about the rationale for the testing. Psychological assessment allows the treatment team at PTR to fine-tune both the clinical services provided at PTR and the plan for post-PTR care. Testing is much like conducting an x-ray to determine the exact way to set and cast a broken bone: even though it may have been obvious that the bone was broken, without taking a closer look inside, it is difficult to know the best way to restore it to optimal functioning.
Psychological testing will also provide invaluable information to inform decisions about “aftercare.” Working with the PTR therapist, the Psychologist can provide more specific and detailed information about treatment needs after PTR, personalized based on the in-depth testing. Decisions about the level of care for the next step (residential vs. outpatient), the level of emphasis to be placed on substance use and/or other clinical concerns, and the influence of personality factors that may enhance or impede aftercare can be informed by testing results.
Psychological Solutions (PSI) is an independent group of psychologists who provide top-quality psychological evaluations and case consultation for the clients at Passages to Recovery. The psychologists are well-trained in “evidence-based” models of diagnosis, test interpretation, and clinical care. Our comprehensive psychological evaluations include cognitive, academic, mental health, and personality assessment. We also offer specialty evaluations (i.e., neuropsychological, autism spectrum disorder, learning disability, vocational, and reactive attachment disorder).
Types of Evaluations
Comprehensive Psychological Evaluation: This involves an Intelligence Test (typically the WAIS-III) and an extended battery of academic tests (typically the WJ-III or WIAT-II). These tests provide an evaluation of intellectual and academic abilities and screen for learning disabilities. We also add a wide ranging battery of personality tests and behavior assessment tools to develop a broad overview of a client’s strengths and weaknesses. We also conduct vocational testing to help with transition planning.
Personality/Mental Health: These tests include a battery of objective and projective tests that evaluate a range of issues including (but not limited to): anxiety, depression, interpersonal styles, family problems/strengths, bipolar disorder, psychosis, substance abuse, ADHD, as well as flexibility and adaptive functioning. These tests are typically completed in conjunction with Cognitive/Academic Testing.
Autism/Pervasive Developmental Disorders: Evaluates Autism Spectrum Disorders (e.g. Asperger’s Disorder), using gold standard measures, such as the ADOS, and documents the range of impairment. Thorough interviews and records review provide important developmental information. This assessment also generates treatment and educational recommendations specific to these types of disorders.
Learning Disability Assessment: This assessment provides a more detailed and “process oriented” evaluation of learning problems (e.g., reading disability, nonverbal learning disability, dyslexia, writing disability) while providing specific recommendations for teachers and other academic personnel and/or employers. It is typically completed as an adjunct to basic cognitive/academic testing.
Neuropsychological Assessment: Provides a more in-depth evaluation of processes such as memory, attention, and “executive functioning.” These evaluations are especially helpful in assessing the impact of head trauma, brain injuries, and changes in cognitive functioning secondary to substance abuse.
Psychosexual Assessment: Evaluates normal and deviant sexual attitudes, behaviors, interests, and history. Usually completed in conjunction with basic personality measures, this assessment is often requested to help with placement, assess risk or to develop a specific treatment plan.
Functional Behavior Assessment: Provides a targeted look at specific, problematic behaviors and environmental factors that help maintain them. A practical intervention plan is then developed in conjunction with the treatment team.