Assessment FAQs
+ How do I know if I need an assessment?
Great question! Some of the most common assessment purposes include:
- You believe you might be experiencing symptoms of one or more mental health disorder(s), and you would like to know whether you meet the criteria for any psychiatric diagnoses.
- You are struggling in school/college/work, and you believe you may benefit from academic and/or workplace accommodations.
- Your psychiatrist requires an assessment before prescribing certain medications.
- You and/or your therapist are wondering how you can continue making progress in therapy.
- You have completed a psychological assessment in the past, and you are wondering how you have changed over time
- You have completed a psychological assessment in the past, and you are wanting a second opinion.
- A current assessment is needed before a transition (e.g., going to college, changing jobs, returning home from a residential facility).
- You and/or your family wants to better understand how you think, feel, and behave so you can be better supported.
- A Court system has asked you to complete a psychological assessment to determine whether you have any mental health concerns or other needs that can be addressed.
+ Are there any types of assessments that you cannot do?
Pivot is currently unable to conduct assessments for the following:
- Children under 6 years old
- Child custody hearings
- Personal injury or personal liability
- Workplace compensation
- Certain forensic assessments (e.g., fitness to proceed, competency, risk)
+ How do I know that Pivot is the right place for my assessment?
Assessments are fully conducted by Dr. Paula Floyd, a licensed clinical psychologist with nearly 10 years of assessment experience.
Dr. Floyd is experienced in providing a range of assessments for all ages in academic, workplace, residential, correctional, and outpatient treatment facilities.
Dr. Floyd is also familiar with assessments that are intended to inform mental health interventions, community-based services, academic accommodations (IEP/504 Plans), workplace accommodations (ADA), social security income (SSI), and certain legal decisions.
Pivot does not currently employ graduate students or psychometricians. Therefore, you can be confident that Dr. Floyd will complete your assessment and be available to guide you throughout the process.
+ What does the assessment process look like?
Overall, the process depends on the purpose(s) of the assessment. The process is typically divided into four main parts:
- Interview - The assessment process usually begins with an interview to review your background information and current concerns. With permission, interviews can also be conducted with loved ones (e.g., parents, partners, co-workers) who can offer their perspective on how you are doing.
- Testing - After the interview is completed, you will be asked to schedule an appointment to complete testing tasks. These tasks are usually interactive with the assessor. Depending on your assessment, you might build with blocks, solve puzzles, listen and recall information, draw pictures, and/or plenty of other activities.
- Questionnaires - During the assessment process, you will likely be asked to complete multiple "surveys" that ask questions about different areas of your life and mental health. With permission, questionnaires can also be completed by loved ones (e.g., parents, partners, co-workers) to collect more information.
- Report and Feedback - After collecting all necessary information, a report will be written containing your assessment results. Once the report is completed, a "feedback" session will be scheduled to review your report together and address questions.
+ How long does an assessment take?
Overall, the time an assessment takes depends on the purpose(s) of the assessment. Most assessments take somewhere between 3-6 weeks to complete from start to finish.
- Interview - Week 1. Each interview usually takes 1-2 hours.
- Testing - Week 2. A testing session usually takes 3-4 hours.
- Questionnaires - Weeks 1-2. Questionnaires are usually completed outside of an appointment, and can take up to 1-2 hours total to complete.
- Report and Feedback - Weeks 3-6. Report writing usually takes 2 weeks. Feedback appointments are usually scheduled for 1 hour.
+ What is included in an assessment report?
Overall, what is included in an assessment report depends on the purpose(s) of the assessment. Most assessment reports contain the following sections:
- Reason for Referral - detailed explanation of the purpose(s) of the assessment.
- Assessment Procedures - a breakdown of which tests and questionnaires were included in your assessment.
- Background Information - a summary of your background in areas such as upbringing, education, employment, family, friends, physical health, and mental health.
- Behavioral Observations - a summary of how you presented and behaved during appointments, which can be used to support or rule out certain mental health diagnoses.
- Testing Results - a description of each test administered, your numerical results for each test, and what each result means.
- Diagnostic Impressions - a list of which mental health diagnoses you meet the criteria for based on information gathered.
- Summary - thorough explanations for why each mental health diagnosis is provided, as well as information about your unique strengths and challenges.
- Recommendations - a specific list of next steps to address any diagnoses or challenges indicated in the report.
+ How do I prepare for a testing appointment?
It's great to be prepared! Here are a few tips to consider when preparing for your testing appointment:
- When scheduling - Think about whether there are days/times when you feel most alert.
- The days before - Avoid searching excessively for information about certain diagnoses or tests, as this can affect the results of testing.
- The night before - Get an adequate amount of restful sleep.
- The day of - Stay hydrated and eat nutritious foods. Follow your medication routine as usual. Avoid consuming mind-altering substances or excessive amounts of caffeine.
- Just before - Bring snacks and drinks as needed. Give yourself ample time to reach the office. Limit exposure to stress. Practice deep breathing, stretching, etc. if you are feeling nervous.
- During - Ask for breaks to use the restroom, eat a snack, stretch, take a walk - whatever you need to come back feeling refreshed!
- After - Plan relaxing activities to unwind. Reward yourself for working hard.
+ How much does an assessment cost?
Overall, assessment pricing depends on the purpose(s) of the assessment and the time needed to complete the assessment.
Most assessments range in price from $1000-$3000 from start to finish, and more complex assessments usually require a greater financial investment.
Sliding scale (reduced) fees and/or payment arrangements may be available if discussed prior to the assessment.
+ Will my insurance cover an assessment?
Overall, this depends on your insurance coverage. It is always recommended to call your insurance provider with questions about coverage for a psychological assessment with a licensed psychologist.
Many insurance providers require pre-authorization for assessments, which can often be obtained through a primary care provider, psychiatrist, or therapist. If your insurance deems an assessment to be necessary, then they may cover a portion of the assessment cost. To be reimbursed, you will be given a receipt or "superbill" listing the services provided with appropriate insurance billing codes.
Unfortunately, Pivot is unable to bill insurance directly or coordinate benefits/pre-authorization with insurance.
+ Who can I contact if I have more questions?
A psychological assessment is a major investment of time, energy, and money. We want to make sure you are informed, comfortable, and confident in choosing Pivot for your assessment.
Please contact Pivot using the "Contact Us" button below with any additional questions or concerns you have!
You can also reach out directly to Dr. Floyd at drpaulafloyd@pivotpsychologyatx.com for more information.