Assessment

Who you are,
who you want to be,
and how you will become it.

What Does Ballinger Psychological Offer?

Dr. Scott Ballinger specializes in comprehensive psychodiagnostic evaluations, which can be designed and administered to account for various mental health conditions described within the DSM-5-TR. A typical assessment includes the following:

  • Intake: The examiner will ask a variety of questions to gather as much information as possible about the client and their needs (e.g. school/work history, family history, developmental history, etc.).

  • Testing: Depending on the assessment need, this may consist of self-report (and/or observer-report) measures, technology engagement (e.g. laptop, iPad), paper-and-pencil instruments, additional interviewing/conversation, and other visual/auditory media.

  • Report: A comprehensive written report offered after testing has been completed. Includes intake information, testing observations, test scores, interpretations, applicable diagnoses, and recommendations.

  • Feedback: Once testing is complete, immediate feedback may be able to be given on some of the results (including diagnostic impressions and recommendations) prior to leaving the office, but a full, confirmed diagnostic opinion is not finalized until completion of scoring and interpreting all materials. The examiner will walk the client through what to expect from and how to approach the report, as well as being provided with a written guide in the report itself to clearly indicate what sections may be most pertinent for the client to review. Questions, concerns, and additional need for clarification are welcome, as well as requests for additional documentation when necessary (e.g. academic/workplace accommodations forms).

Depending on the type of assessment, identified client need, and overall complexity, cost and time frame may vary. Generally speaking, one may anticipate completion of the virtual intake and in-person testing within a period of 4-8 hours. The evaluator will complete additional responsibilities outside of these formal face-to-face sessions, including preparation and design of testing battries, scoring/interpretation of materials, report writing, etc. Once the written report has been completed (1-2 weeks), a copy of the report will be provided to the client.

What is an Assessment?

At its most basic, the practice of assessment allows a psychologist to compare the responses of an individual client to a large number of similar individuals (based on factors such as age, education, disability, sex, etc.), in regard to specific questions a client has. Inquiries for which assessments may contribute toward an answer include whether a client has a diagnosable disorder, the strengths and challenges a client could have in a role or environment, and many other questions that have bearing on improving quality of life. Based upon the wealth of research and statistics informing the assessment instruments, careful interpretation and analysis is able to yield evidence suggesting just how much “alike” they are to a larger population in terms traits, diagnoses, and interests.

Assessment Areas

An evaluation may increase an investigation of patterned thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and personality traits. Useful in determination of whether criteria are met for a psychological diagnosis, and in evaluating personal strengths and growing edges. This may include areas such as:

  • Mood disorders

  • Anxiety disorders

  • Personality disorders

  • Personal/interpersonal insights

Assessments can also focus on cognitive, emotional, and behavioral symptoms, and their relationship with possible neurodevelopmental diagnoses and neurocognitive brain functioning. This may include areas such as:

  • Intellectual capacity

  • Social communication

  • Language

  • Attention

  • Memory

Additionally, achievement testing is designed to investigate primary domains of academic challenge/giftedness, as well as occupational strengths, difficulties, and interests. This may include areas such as:

  • Specific Learning Disorders (e.g. Reading, Writing, Math)

  • Vocational insights

Note: Evaluations often include a combination of tests across psychological, neuropsychological, developmental, and/or educational/occupational spheres. This comprehensive, cross-domain approach allows for a more accurate determination of the origin of experienced symptoms (e.g., whether attention difficulties are predominantly the result of anxiety/depression, or attributable to an underlying neurodevelopmental disorder such as ADHD), and contributes toward focused treatment planning and interventions.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Evaluations are custom-tailored to explore concerns related to specific diagnoses. When initially scheduling evaluation services, we will collaborative identify the specific areas in which the testing should be focused around.

    Please note that there is no evaluation that tests for “anything and everything” (i.e. every diagnosis in the DSM-5-TR).

    Indeed, it is important to distinguish between a comprehensive evaluation process (what we offer) and an exhaustive process.: A comprehensive assessment focuses on gathering enough clinically relevant data to answer specific diagnostic questions accurately. In contrast, an exhaustive evaluation overreaches the clinical focus, burdening clients to disclose unnecessary details and undergo excessive testing. Overextending the scope not only dilutes the findings, but testing fatigue and burnout can directly compromise the validity and accuracy of the results.

  • I do! Many mental health practices offering psychodiagnostic evaluations begin by having a licensed clinical psychologist conduct the intake, but hand off the actual testing administration to an unlicensed psychological associate or psychometrist. That technician then passes raw score sheets back to the psychologist, who writes the final report based primarily on numbers.

    While this model allows high-volume clinics to reduce costs, it often comes at the expense of the vital, real-time qualitative observations that numbers alone cannot capture. Standardized testing is not just about whether an answer is right or wrong, it is about how you arrive at that answer. Subtle compensatory strategies, masking behaviors, micro-hesitations, fatigue patterns, and shifts in problem-solving styles provide critical diagnostic context.

    By conducting every phase of the evaluation personally, from intake to testing and report writing, nothing gets lost in translation. You receive complete continuity of care, and your final report reflects direct clinical insights rather than secondhand data.

  • Please refer to the Billing section of our website. Costs can vary significantly depending on whether or not an insurance plan is being used, whether deductibles have been entirely/partially met within such plans, and the type of evaluation being requested.

Book an Appointment

Schedule an appointment with Dr. Ballinger today. We will follow-up with you to confirm your appointment and the needs you wish to have met.

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