Our evaluations blend cognitive, neuropsychological, social-emotional, personality and behavioral assessment to provide a comprehensive evaluation of one’s individual functioning.
What is psychological testing?
Understanding psychological testing and assessment
Testing is not required to diagnose or initiate mental health treatment. Most qualified mental health professionals are able to provide diagnostic impressions and make recommendations for treatment direction. Psychological testing is a specialized service that uses standardized assessment measures and procedures to gather data to inform diagnosis and treatment direction. Psychological testing is unique in that it is performed by specially trained providers, typically those with doctoral-level training in psychology.
What type of testing do we do at CBI?
Our evaluations blend cognitive, neuropsychological, social-emotional, personality and behavioral assessment along with additional data gathering to provide an evaluation of one’s individual functioning. Typically, we do not just test for a single diagnosis. Rather, we approach this service as a comprehensive evaluation to provide an overall diagnostic impression and recommendations.
Those that are most appropriate for psychological testing may be experiencing any of the following:
Academic weaknesses in a specific domain (e.g., math, reading)
Executive functioning difficulties (e.g., attention, memory, motivation) and the cause of these difficulties has not been identified by other providers
Concerns with social skills or developmental delays
Lack of therapeutic progress in current treatment due to complexity (e.g, personality characteristics, trauma)
Needs associated with psychiatric medication intervention (e.g., lack of response to medications, confirmation of ADHD presentation prior to stimulant use)
Re-evaluation to update previous psychological testing for purposes such as school accommodations
Re-evaluation due to outdated testing from past services to drive treatment direction
What type of psychological testing is not provided at CBI?
- Workman’s compensation or disability
- Prescription evaluation for Medical Assistance (MA) services (e.g.,IBHS, family-based therapy)
- Custodial evaluations
- Risk assessment
- Aging concerns (e.g., dementia)
- Traumatic brain injury/concussion evaluations
What is the psychological testing process at CBI?
Psychological testing services are provided by a team of providers. This team may include a licensed psychologist and/or doctoral psychology fellow. All providers have the appropriate training and supervision to provide services. All services are supervised by licensed psychologists.
Testing includes a multi-step process:
- Intake: Screening measures are completed, an interview conducted related to concerns and history is reviewed to determine appropriateness of psychological testing.
- Test administration: Procedures are completed to assess the full scope of the individual and the presenting concern(s). Multiple appointments may be scheduled based on needs of the individual.NOTE: These appointments are REQUIRED to be on site in our Cranberry Twp office.
- Report preparation: Scoring, interpretation of data, and writing of the psychological evaluation report. A full copy of the report is provided to the client upon completion.
- Feedback: Meeting to review the evaluation report, answer questions, and coordinate continued care. Referrals to services within or outside of CBI are done at this appointment.
What is the cost of psychological testing?
Insurance is accepted for psychological testing services. Individual benefits are based on your insurance plan and can vary greatly from insurance to insurance. Some insurance companies require pre-authorization for testing services. Self-pay rates are applicable for anything insurance does not approve for pre-authorization of services (when required).
Interested in psychological testing services?
Psychological testing is often recommended by medical, educational, and behavioral health providers. Ideally, someone would be referred for testing based on another healthcare provider's recommendation and understanding of the purpose of the testing.
If you are a provider outside of CBI and interested in making a referral for your patient, please complete the referral form here:
External Referral Form for Psychological Testing
We do take self-referrals, although need is important. If the initial need for evaluation can be met through an intake appointment with any mental health provider, there may not be a need to do the full evaluation that comes with psychological testing services.
If you have not had mental health services before, it may be best to start with an initial intake appointment with a therapist to determine what best suits your individual needs prior to pursuing testing.
If either of these apply, please start with completing our New Patient Form
Purpose Of Psychological Testing
Psychological testing is a specialized service that uses standardized assessment measures and procedures to gather data to inform diagnosis and treatment direction.
Psychological testing is often appropriate for the following purposes:
Clarify diagnosis when there is uncertainty
Data is needed to justify diagnosis
Data is needed to guide treatment direction
Diagnosis and recommendations are needed for additional services
Common Reasons To Pursue Psychological Testing
Psychological testing is often recommended by medical, educational, and behavioral health providers. It is important to speak with your current provider to determine whether psychological testing is right for you.
We have found those that are most appropriate for psychological testing may be experiencing any of the following:
Academic difficulties with specific content area weaknesses (i.e., math, reading)
Executive functioning difficulties (i.e., attention, memory) and the cause of these difficulties has not been identified or clear to other providers
Concerns with social skills or developmental delays
Lack of therapeutic progress in current treatment due to potential complex factors (i.e., personality characteristics, trauma)
Challenges with psychiatric medications (i.e., lack of response to current/past medications, confirmation of ADHD presentation)
At this time, CBI is equipped to provide psychological testing services to a wide range of individuals. However, there are some purposes we are not able to provide services for currently. These include:
Individuals who are seeking workman’s compensation or disability
Individuals who are seeking evaluation for a prescription for Medical Assistance (MA) services (IBHS, family-based therapy)
Individuals seeking custodial evaluation
PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING PROCESS
Psychological testing services at CBI are a multi-tiered process that include the following:
- Intake: Screening measures are completed prior to appointment. Interview conducted related to concerns, history to determine appropriateness of psychological testing. Test administration is scheduled based on this appointment.
- Test administration: Measures and activities are completed to assess the full scope of the individual and the presenting concern(s). The testing session can range 3 to 5 hours.
- Report preparation: Scoring and interpretation of data and writing of the psychological evaluation report. A full copy of the report is provider to the individual and/or family upon completion.
- Feedback: Meeting with provider to review the psychological evaluation report, answer questions, and coordinate continued care as appropriate.
Psychological Testing Process
Insurance is accepted for psychological testing services. Individual benefits are based on your plan. Prior to test administration, individuals receive a cost estimate for all psychological testing services based on their benefits. Some insurance companies require pre-authorization for testing services. Psychological testing billing is unique compared to therapy and psychiatry services. This will be discussed at the intake appointment with your provider.