WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING AND FAQs

1) What difficulties does someone have who could benefit from psychological testing?

Do you have trouble:

• paying attention when others are talking and/or getting easily distracted?
• staying still and/or relaxing?
• keeping things organized, knowing where your belongings are, and being on time to appointments?
• performing up to your potential?
• completing school or maintaining a job?
• fitting in with others, developing relationships, and communicating with others?
• managing your anxiety or depression?
• making progress in therapy?
• even though you're in therapy and taking medication?

Does your child:

• receive reports from the teacher noting concern in behavior, mood, or academics?
• look at you when you're talking but then not process or forget what you have said?
• get distracted when completing a task and/or forget what they are supposed to be doing?
• seem smart but underperforms?
• bounce off the walls?
• get in trouble for talking or engaging in impulsive behavior?
• not do or turn in their homework?

2) What is psychological testing?

Psychological testing is a process that involves gathering information about an individual in order to create a theory as to how their brain processes information and interacts with people and the world around them. It involves a thorough interview and the collection of collateral information from parents, teachers, spouses, friends/roommates, etc. The testing component consists of a series of tasks that provide information on how the brain processes information. If you are interested in receiving psychological testing, please do NOT look up further information and specifics regarding the tests. This would invalidate your results. The administration of psychological testing at Dr. Silverman's office is conducted by testing technicians (PhD doctoral students in counseling psychology). The client and informants are also required to fill out multiple rating scales in regards to the client's functioning. After all of the information has been collected, a feedback session is conducted with Dr. Silverman in which the results, diagnoses, and recommendations are shared and a formal report is provided.

3) Why does psychological testing cost so much?

Psychological testing is a specialized area within the field of psychology, requires specific training and competencies, and is a lesser available resource. Clients are not only paying for the time of administration, but also scoring, conceptualization (figuring out your individual case), research, consultation, and report writing. Dr. Silverman's reports vary in length but are usually 11-20+ pages long providing detailed information to you about yourself. The testing administration and scoring materials, in themselves, are also very expensive and are paid for by membership and by usage.

4) Do I need psychological testing, an evaluation, or an assessment?

They are all the same and used inter-changeably! However, sometimes when someone says psychological evaluation, they may mean meeting with a therapist to determine what is needed, rather than actual psychological testing.

5) Why don't more therapists do testing?

Only clinicians with certain degrees can conduct psychological testing evaluations, such as school psychologists and psychologists. Most master's level degrees do not allow practitioners to conduct testing. As mentioned above, psychological testing is a specialized area within psychology and most psychologists are not competent to practice in this area. It requires a financial commitment, a dedication to learning and consultation, and a tremendous amount of time. Also, to be a testing psychologist, you have to be a great diagnostician.

6) Wait, what was that word, diagnostician?

A person who specializes in making diagnoses. Most people who seek psychological testing are referred because they are concerned they may have a psychological disorder such as ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, anxiety, PTSD, Bipolar, or depression. Some therapists may not be well trained in this area, and refer to testing psychologists for guidance. Also, a formal diagnosis is needed often for accommodations or medication(s).

7) Why can't you guarantee my results?

Psychological testing, while striving to be objective, is actually subjective in nature and based on the clinician's own theory regarding your functioning. It is not an x-ray and there is no imaging techniques. The psychologist combines the information you provided during interviews, collateral information from parents, teachers, spouses, friends, etc., cognitive and personality testing, records/medical chart review, and consultation with your therapist (if you have one), to reach a diagnosis that fits you best. Sometimes this is not the diagnosis you came in seeking.

8) Why can't we meet for 45 minutes and then you give me my diagnosis?

Dr. Silverman provides full, comprehensive evaluations in order to understand your brain and its functioning. It is an investment in your growth and understanding of how you operate in the world. In order to determine your diagnosis, other factors have to be taken into consideration, which extends beyond an initial interview.

9) How come you are not the person testing me?

I am passionate about training the future generation of psychologists. Many do not get adequality trained in psychological testing. It makes for better diagnosticians and future clinicians. I love to teach and supervise. The students also bring a younger and second set of eyes to the cases. They are all trained and supervised by me.

10) Does your office have parking?



There is no designated parking lot for the office. Please park on the street. There are both free and metered spots. You may be towed if you park directly behind the building or in the adjacent parking lot.