Sitting in class, you may feel confused, bored, or constantly on edge. Work can feel much the same. At home, everyday responsibilities—cleaning, organizing, or caring for the kids—may feel overwhelming, and you aren’t sure where to start. Sometimes, the overwhelm is so intense that you feel completely frozen. At night, you can’t seem to get restful sleep, and your mind races.
Perhaps you’re feeling burned out, unproductive, or inadequate, wondering why your brain won’t cooperate. Tasks may take hours to complete or may be left forgotten. Hobbies are left unfinished. Maybe your relationship feels strained, and you’d like to show up as the best version of yourself for your partner or your children. You may feel frustrated or guilty. You may wonder, “Why are these things so difficult?”
Some or all of these experiences may sound familiar to you, regardless of whether you have been diagnosed with depression, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, or another condition. Many symptoms can occur across different diagnoses, circumstances, and life experiences. However, this overlap can make it difficult to find clear answers on your own.
A comprehensive psychological assessment may help provide clarity. As a psychologist, assessment was an integral part of my training and continues to play an important role in my clinical practice. By combining a thorough intake interview with evidence-based questionnaires and other forms of psychological testing, I can help you develop a clearer picture of your experiences.
Throughout the psychological assessment process, we will work collaboratively to explore the different factors that may be contributing to your experiences and consider alternative explanations when appropriate. Based on the results, I provide recommendations that are practical, individualized, and grounded in the reality of your life.
Before Your Psychological Assessment
Prior to your first testing session, I may send questionnaires in the mail for you to complete and bring to your appointment. With your consent, family members who know you well may also participate by sharing their perspectives and experiences. Their input can provide valuable context and help us develop a clearer picture.
I generally recommend keeping your routine as consistent as possible before your assessment so that we can get an accurate understanding of how you typically feel and function in your day-to-day life.
You are welcome to bring snacks and a beverage to enjoy during breaks. Please make sure you are wearing any glasses or corrective lenses you need and that you have taken your medications as prescribed.
What Should I Bring to My Psychological Assessment?
Please bring reports from any previous evaluations. If you have access to report cards or school records with teacher comments, these documents can also be very helpful.
Please come prepared with information about:
- Your current medications
- Notable events from your medical or developmental history
- Previous surgeries or injuries
- Relevant family history
- Developmental milestones from childhood
Parents do not need to arrive with a perfectly organized file or already know what the diagnosis might be. Bring whatever information is available, and we can work through it together.
What to Expect During a Psychological Assessment
A comprehensive psychological assessment takes time, and intentionally so. It is important that you have the opportunity to share your story and that we have time to get curious about your experiences together.
A typical psychological testing session can take between two and four hours, with breaks throughout. We will spend our time in the Explore What’s Next office, a warm, inviting, and low-pressure environment.
During the session, I may ask you to respond to questions, complete various tasks and activities, and fill out questionnaires on a computer.
What Happens After Psychological Testing?
After the initial testing session is complete, I score and interpret the assessment measures. I then integrate those results with the information we discussed during the evaluation. Occasionally, I may call you to gather additional information.
I then prepare a comprehensive psychological assessment report summarizing the findings. Approximately two weeks after your final testing session, we will meet for a follow-up session. Together, we will discuss your results, including any diagnoses and recommendations contained in the report.
A Little About Dr Ava Calabrese
Ava believes that therapy and psychological assessment can offer a meaningful opportunity to better understand yourself and what may be getting in the way. She brings a collaborative, strengths-focused approach to her work, with experience in community mental health, behavioral medicine, PTSD treatment, work with Veterans, and psychological assessment.
If you’re looking for greater clarity or wondering whether therapy or assessment might be a helpful next step, Ava welcomes you to schedule a free consultation and see if working together feels like a good fit.
