gh, wexford, cranberry, North Hills
INDIVIDUAL THERAPY AND MARRIAGE & FAMILY THERAPY
DAVID O. SAENZ, PhD, EdM, LLC
Pyschological evaluations and assessment, Butler, Wexford, Cranberry, North Hills
Psychological Evaluations, Assessment & Testing for Children, Adolescents, Adults and Personal Injury Cases
Frequently asked questions:
When should a parent think about getting a psychological assessment for a child or adolescent? Generally, a comprehensive psychological assessment is conducted when a problem that does not have a physical origin is noticed and the cause needs to be determined. This problem can exist in several realms, for example: (1) inappropriate behavior such as chronic defiance, poor attentional and focusing skills (as in ADHD/ADD, Asperger's Syndrome, and Autism), or extreme shyness or anger and hostility; (2) inappropriate mood states such as depression; (3) failure to perform up to expected standards (as in schoolwork). I use a whole child/adolescent approach, which looks at the context- family, culture, community, and other dynamics which may be impacting the child or adolescent.
What is the purpose of a psychological evaluation (assessment/testing) for an adult? Psychological evaluations offer insight as to the severity of a particular disturbance and of the capacity for adequate functioning. A comprehensive psychological evaluation for an adult is typically used to confirm or modify the impressions formed by referring therapists through less structured interactions in therapy. Psychological assessments can identify needs in therapy, highlight issues that may come up in treatment, recommend particular forms of intervention, and offer guidance about potential outcomes of treatment.
Psychological testing/evaluations generally result in a formal, integrated written report of findings, with recommendations based on those findings, presented in a personal, interactive feedback meeting.
What about personal injury cases, what does a psychological assessment entail? In cases of personal injury, a psychologist is often retained to answer 
two questions:
- Does the person being evaluated have a psychological injury (typically trauma, depression, anxiety, phobic reactions, etc.), and if so, what is the extent of this injury?
- How much of the injury present is most likely attributable to the event that allegedly caused it?
A personal injury evaluation is fairly comprehensive and usually includes:
- A review of relevant records regarding proximal event and plaintiff's pre- and post-injury functioning (e.g., medical and psychological treatment records),
- Background information (e;g;, social history, psychiatric/ psychological history, medical history, employment history, substance abuse history),
- Extensive psychological assessment using standardized psychological instruments.
- A mental status exam
- Interviews with parties that may know the plaintiff well (spouse, parents, other relatives).
- A diagnostic impression based on a comprehensive integration of all of the data.
- A final written report with treatment recommendations if warranted and if the plaintiff is open to it.
Throughout the assessment process, evidence of malingering is also being carefully evaluated.
Please note that I do not conduct neuropsychological evaluations that assess for possible localization of organic abnormalities (brain injury that results in loss of executive functioning or motor control) in the central nervous system.
