We can provide affordable, comprehensive psychological evaluation services to benefit children and their families. Our highly skilled examiners receive extensive training in psychometric testing and diagnostic interviewing, which enables us to provide some of the most thorough empirically based psychological assessments available. Our examiners generate objective and comprehensive reports which include empirically validated testing instruments, in-depth diagnostic interviews, behavioral observations, record reviews, and relevant collateral interviews. Some of the more common types of evaluations we provide and typical referral questions include:
Cognitive Assessments (intellectual disability assessments)
What is the nature of the client's current intellectual and adaptive functioning? A typical assessment takes three to four hours with the client and includes clinical and collateral interviews, completion of self-report and collateral behavior rating scales, cognitive testing, measures of adaptive behavior (if indicated), and review of records.
Collaborative Assessment (Professional referral required)
Collaborative assessments at the UMSL – Center for Behavioral Health are an innovative approach to psychological evaluation that are designed for children who are already involved in therapy services, yet struggling to make progress. These specialized assessments contain the elements of our traditional evaluations but include more collaboration with families, schools, and other treatment providers. In addition, these assessments tend to occur over multiple sessions, with typical sessions lasting two hours. Throughout the process, the examiner works closely with all parties to answer specific referral questions and provide information in reports tailored to the client and family.
Diagnostic Clarification Evaluations
What is the client's diagnosis and what are the most appropriate treatment interventions? A typical assessment takes six to eight hours with the client and includes clinical and collateral interviews, mental status examination, completion of self-report and collateral symptom and behavior rating scales, trauma screening and assessment, personality testing, cognitive testing, ADHD testing (when indicated), and review of records.
Learning Disability Assessments
Does the client have a learning disability or other condition that affects school performance? A typical assessment takes five to six hours with the client and includes clinical and collateral interviews, mental status examination, cognitive testing, achievement testing, review of records, completion of self-report and collateral symptom and behavior rating scales and, if indicated, attention / impulsivity testing.
Parenting Evaluations
What is the nature of client's current parenting skills and abilities to provide adequate care for his/her child(ren). A typical assessment takes eight hours with the client and includes clinical and collateral interviews, mental status examination, completion of self-report and collateral symptom and behavior rating scales, personality testing, assessment of parenting skills and competencies, risk assessment, review of records, cognitive testing, neuropsychological screening, and, if indicated, attention / impulsivity testing.
Psychosexual Evaluation
What is the nature of client's current psychological/sexual functioning and related risk/mitigating factors? A typical assessment takes seven to nine hours with the client and includes clinical and collateral interviews, mental status examination, completion of self-report and collateral symptom and behavior rating scales, trauma screening and assessment, personality testing, assessment of sexual development and functioning, risk assessment, review of records and, if required, cognitive testing, and attention/impulsivity testing.
Risk Assessments
Is the client at risk for self-harm or under what circumstances is the client at risk of behaving violently towards others, and how can that risk be mitigated? A typical assessment takes seven to nine hours with the client and includes clinical and collateral interviews, mental status examination, personality testing, risk assessment, review of records, and, if required, cognitive testing and attention / impulsivity testing.
