True Balance Counseling

So, what Can Testing or Evaluations Do?

Testing can be helpful for the following reasons:

To clarify mental health diagnoses
To assess memory, motivation, or learning concerns
To provide insight and understanding of strengths and weaknesses
To identify developmental delays
To identifying cognitive impairments or concerns, and establishing baseline abilities
To assess level of focus and attention issues.
To assess academic ability and rule out a learning disorder
To identifying autism spectrum disorders or other developmental concerns
To identify the impact of a neurological event (stroke, TBI, concussion, ect)
To identify other neurological concerns (Chiari Malformation, Cysts, lesions, ect)
To guide treatment plan goals and lead to referrals for appropriate services
To provide independent evaluations for educational purposes
To provide information for pre and post surgical visits.

Neuro-Psychological Evaluations

(Well, that sounds intimidating doesn't it?!)

Neuropsychological evaluations are useful for a variety of reasons. This type of testing can help to Identify, define and characterize strengths, limitations, and intellectual skills. It can assist in figuring out the root of a problem (not cause) to assist in appropriate diagnosis and treatment. It can also help to establish a baseline level functioning if an individual will be undergoing surgery, or to track cognitive changes over time. It can assist with diagnosis and treatment planning including support for issues related to quality of life and daily functioning. This type of evaluation can be helpful for parents, family members, teachers, doctors, social workers, and mental health professionals who would like to know how all of the systems of the brain interact and how to best support a client/family member.

Common reasons for Neuropsychological Assessment Include:

Concerns regarding Attention, Memory, Motivation, ect.
Evaluations for early entrance into kindergarten
Autism Spectrum Disorder evaluations for children and adults
Developmental delay evaluations
Bariatric evaluations or pre-surgery required evaluations
Evaluations required for employment, such as a Police Officer
Evaluations for Aging Concerns (Dementia, Alzheimer)
Stroke, Concussion, Traumatic Brain Injury
Learning Concerns
Fetal Alcohol or Chemical exposure in Utero
Birth Concerns

What to Expect

Psychological Evaluations

(Really? That does not sound much better!)

Psychological evaluations are a way of testing behavior, personality and capabilities. It can also provide information about an individual that is helpful for the others in that individual’s life to be aware of, such as parents, family members, teachers, doctors, social workers, and mental health professionals, so they are able to support and help that individual improve functioning. Typically, requests for psychological evaluation are made to examine how mental health may be impacting life and to make recommendations regarding psychological and/or psychiatric treatment (counseling and/or medication).

Common reasons for Psychological Assessment Include:

Mental health and personality disorder evaluations clarifying diagnoses or identifying personality disorder traits to explore further
Mental health and personality disorder evaluations clarifying Axis I and Axis II diagnoses
Basic review for Learning Disability
Intellectual Assessment

What to Expect