Why Testing Matters:
Benefits of Psychological Testing
Why Testing Matters: Benefits of Psychological Testing
Everyone experiences personal stressors and face uncomfortable challenges at some point in their life. What we don’t expect is the amount of time it can take to work through those problems. Even more complicated, it can be difficult to figure out what is actually going on. Psychological testing can help provide diagnostic clarity for a variety of mental health conditions (i.e., anxiety, depression, mood disorders, psychosis, emotional/behavioral disorders). Testing offers the opportunity to better understand oneself and can more clearly pinpoint specific factors that may be impacting symptoms. Testing also strengthens diagnostic accuracy which increases the ability to provide personalized and targeted treatment options.
In many cases, psychological testing can answer “why” a specific problem may be occurring. As an example, I have had several clients express difficulty with attention for as long as they can remember often dating back to their school-age years! Problems with attention is evident in various aspects of an individual’s life (i.e., work, school, home) and can severely impact an individual’s ability to function adequately. Psychological testing offers the opportunity to be exposed to specific testing that is able to assess for attention-related problems which is often closely related to issues with executive functioning. Challenges with executive functioning can impact several domains such as difficulty with planning and organization, difficulty sustaining attention, impulsiveness, procrastination, difficulty controlling emotions, mental confusion, forgetfulness, decision-making, and more. Other common areas of concern are often related to emotional and behavioral problems, mood regulation, memory issues, and other lifestyle factors that can impact one’s quality of life.
Having answers are meaningful for my clients and can increase treatment options and access to additional resources for support. The results of psychological testing also provide supporting clinicians and providers with a wealth of information that can aid in a collaborative approach to supportive care. This minimizes miscommunication between providers and can better inform the referral process and treatment planning in ways that enhance positive outcomes.
Benefits of Prevention
In many situations, psychological testing can catch preliminary issues and identify personal and family-related risk factors. As we know, early intervention efforts offer opportunities to screen for early signs of symptoms before they become more severe. Many individuals experience frustration with late diagnoses that can occur well into in adulthood. Early screening assists with addressing many mental health issues in a more timely manner to minimize symptom progression and severity over time. Sometimes, overall functioning may appear normal for a while before signs of regression begin to occur. Keep in mind that knowledge is power and can help facilitate early access to appropriate support services that guide treatment.
Understanding Strengths & Weaknesses
What I love about psychological testing is that it is NOT limited to diagnosing problems. Psychological testing is very broad and can also aid in identification and exploration of an individual’s unique abilities. Identification of strengths and weaknesses allow clients to gain insight into their intellectual functioning, social behaviors, personal motivations, interests, and other personality traits that contribute to personality functioning. Gaining deeper insight into these areas of ability can help empower individuals seeking to strengthen their personal or professional development. Such domains can include career and educational planning.
As you may have noticed by this point, psychological testing offers several benefits and is approached in various contexts. It has truly been a pleasure to witness the range of benefits that psychological testing can provide.
Next Steps: What Can I Expect?
Psychological testing can be lengthy, but it provides meaningful insight into problems that may be occurring. The first step is scheduling an initial intake so the provider can gather comprehensive information about the problem. It is important to bring as much historical information with you as possible, particularly if you are under medical care, prescribed medications, or see other providers (i.e., physician, psychiatrist, counselor, speech therapy, occupational therapy, rehabilitation, etc.). These are components that add considerable value to understanding the full picture. If the issues are academic or school-related, it is important to bring any educational records that are applicable. For children, adolescents, and teens, this can include any prior testing provided by the school, and/or supporting documentation (i.e. IEP, 504, FAPT, etc.).
After the intake is completed, clients will be provided with insight into the testing plan and process and will be scheduled for testing. After testing is completed, all information is compiled, and a feedback session will be provided to discuss the final report and review any follow-up recommendations.
Despite whether your needs are general or significant, psychological testing can help identify areas of concern. The primary goal is to provide clients with the information needed to guide next steps, so they are able to make informed decisions about their care.
If you are interested in finding out more about Psychological Testing, please call us at 434-237-2655, and let us help you get on the road to feeling better.
Tanya McIntyre
Tanya is licensed in the state of Florida and Virgina. Her journey in the mental health profession began 20 years ago within the area of domestic violence support prior to obtaining licensure as a mental health professional. Tanya has had the pleasure of working across various clinical settings which include inpatient and outpatient settings, community outreach, residential substance use rehabilitation programs, hospital setting (crisis units, behavioral health, and geriatric), autism center, Department of Corrections, public schools (K-5 through K-12), and private practice. Her specialized areas include anxiety, depression, crisis & trauma, PTSD, mood disorders, ADHD, and autism. Her long-term experience with autism is diverse offering clients and caregivers support from direct experiences as a parent and from a clinical perspective.
Testing services she currently provides include brief and comprehensive psychological and neuropsychological testing which includes ADHD assessments, autism assessments, learning disabilities, mood disorders, personality, intellectual assessments, and achievement testing. Tanya enjoys working closely with a strong network of collaborating clinicians who are experts in their field with the primary goal of providing clients with quality evaluations and excellence in care.