Formal Evaluations

Psychological Evaluation
This evaluation provides information about an individual’s current mental state and psychological functioning. This type of evaluation is often used to help clarify a particular mental health diagnosis and is useful in treatment planning and development of goals for treatment.  This type of evaluation can also assess intellectual capabilities, adaptive behaviors and personality. The assessment typically involves both clinical interviews as well as psychological testing.

Neuropsychological Evaluation
Clinical neuropsychological assessment focuses on a person’s cognitive, emotional, personal and interpersonal functioning to assess the effects of any brain injury or neuropathological process that a person may have experienced. Neuropsychological assessment is undertaken to understand the pattern of cognitive strengths as well as any difficulties a person may have, and to aid decision making for use in a medical or rehabilitation environment. A core component of neuropsychological assessment is the administration of neuropsychological tests for the formal assessment of cognitive function as well as a thorough evaluation of the person’s mental status and motor functioning. The exact battery of tests administered depends on the area of the brain affected by damage or disease, as well as the symptoms and difficulties reported by the person evaluated. An initial screening is required prior to the administration of neuropsychological testing to determine the specific combination of tests that would be needed to best assess the difficulties the individual is having.


Child Custody Evaluation
This evaluation is a comprehensive forensic assessment and must be ordered by the Court. It involves extensive evaluation of both parents as well as the children involved in the custody dispute. If either parent has remarried, the evaluation may extend to their current spouses as well.  Both parents undergo a complete psychological evaluation, a parenting assessment, and a bonding assessment where they are observed with their children.  The bonding assessment allows for an opinion to be rendered as to the nature and extent of the parent’s bond with their children.  A thorough review of all available court records is an important part of this evaluation.  This evaluation is used when an expert is needed to render an opinion as to each parent’s mental state, their ability to parent effectively, the nature of the bond with their children, and any custodial or visitation modifications that might best meet the psychological needs of the children.


Parenting Assessment
This evaluation includes a psychological evaluation as well as extensive interviews regarding an individual’s attitudes, beliefs, and practices in parenting.   Parenting questionnaires are also utilized.  This type of evaluation is used to determine whether an individual has a mental or emotional problem that might affect their ability to parent. This evaluation can also include a bonding assessment where parent-child interactions are observed and assessed.

Psychoeducational Evaluation
This evaluation is used to identify the presence of a learning disorder as well as assess an individual’s strengths and weaknesses in learning abilities.


Sex Offender-Specific Evaluation
This evaluation can be conducted when an individual has either admitted to a sexual offense or has been convicted of a sexual offense. It provides information about an individual’s psychological functioning, assessment of deviant and non-deviant sexual thoughts and behaviors, a risk assessment to determine an individual’s risk for re-offense, and treatment recommendations.  Appropriate for adolescents or adults.


Psychosexual Evaluation
This evaluation is used when an individual has been charged with a sexual offense, but is denying the offense and has not been convicted.  It provides information as to an individual’s psychological functioning, an assessment of deviant and non-deviant sexual thoughts and behaviors, and treatment recommendations.  A risk assessment is not conducted, as it is not assumed that a sexual offense has in fact occurred.

Court Ordered/Forensic Evaluations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments are closed.