What is the quickest way to book an appointment?

Text us at 617-982-2129

What age range do you see?

Kids from ages 9 to 99

Do you accept insurance?

Yes, we accept most major insurance payers.

Why Is There a $150 Testing Materials Fee?

At Clarity Psychological Testing, we are committed to providing high-quality, comprehensive psychological evaluations tailored to your needs. To ensure the accuracy and reliability of our assessments, we use industry-leading testing materials and tools sourced from trusted publishers such as Pearson Assessments, MHS, WPS, and PAR Inc.

Unfortunately, the costs of these materials have risen significantly in recent years due to increased fees from test publishers. At the same time, insurance companies have not adjusted their fee schedules for testing psychologists to reflect these rising costs. As a result, we have implemented a $150 testing materials fee to cover the cost of these essential tools.

About the Testing Materials Fee:

1. Mandatory for All Testing Clients: This fee ensures that we can continue to use the most accurate and effective materials available for your evaluation.

2. Non-Covered by Insurance: Insurance plans classify testing materials as a non-covered expense. This means the fee is not reimbursable by any insurance plan.

3. Transparent and Direct: Rather than incorporating these costs into our overall pricing, we’ve chosen to keep the fee separate to provide clarity about what it covers. This is only a small portion of what we pay for the test licenses, software, administration, and scoring.

By implementing this fee, we can continue to uphold the highest standards of care while navigating the financial challenges imposed by rising material costs and stagnant insurance reimbursements.

What is involved in the psychological testing process?

It’s a simple 3-step process: 1) Your intake appt. done via telehealth with one of our licensed clinicians 2) Your testing appt. done in one of our convenient office locations, which lasts 4-6 hours with one of our psychometrists. This is done via iPad and combines cognitive, psychological, and personality assessments. 3) Your feedback appt. done via telehealth with one of our licensed clinicians, where diagnoses and treatment recommendations are discussed

Do you test for ADHD and Autism?

Yes, we test for both. However, we do not administer the ADOS, which is often a requirement for many Autism programs for entry. Let us know if you need this specific test, and we can find you referrals.

Do you offer testing for learning disorders?

Yes, we offer testing for Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, and Dyscalculia, but this is not considered “medically necessary” by insurance and is an out-of-pocket cost. If you want this additional testing, please let the clinician or intake coordinator know so your clinician can also curate this battery of tests. This requires one extra day of testing.

Do you offer therapy?

Yes, we have a limited number of therapists providing ongoing therapy. Please let us know if you are interested in pursuing this after testing.

What ages do you work with?

We provide testing services for ages 9-99

Do you provide learning disability testing?

We do provide learning disability testing for academic concerns around Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, and Dyscalculia. However, this requires a 2nd day of testing and is usually not covered by insurance because they deem it “non-medically necessary.”

Do you provide autism testing?

We screen for Autism, and if this is a concern, please bring this up at intake. However, most insurance companies and programs require an ADOS to recognize a formal diagnosis, and our office does not administer this testing. If you are concerned about Autism, we will include in our report whether or not we think you should pursue more formal testing based on whether you meet the criteria.

How are you able to accept insurance? Most practices charge $6-$10k for these evaluations.

Our practice has “trimmed the fat” from the traditional psychological testing model. We don’t do 3-hour in-school observations, 2-hour intakes, hours of playing phone tag to get collateral from therapists, etc. We use online input forms to gather collateral information. Data entry specialists enter non-clinical data into our prelim reports, saving valuable time, and psychometricians administer testing.

Will you tell me how much my out-of-pocket responsibility will be?

Our Electronic Health Record (EHR) system provides a good faith estimate of benefits, indicating if your insurance is active or expired, whether your deductible has been met, and your co-payment details. However, we recommend that you contact the number on the back of your insurance card to confirm if we are in-network (NPI: 1104390525) and if neuropsychological testing is covered (CPT codes 90791 and 96138). Please verify if a referral or prior authorization is required and inquire about any co-payments, deductibles, or co-insurance that may apply.

What is Involved in a Psychological Evaluation?

A psychological assessment is a comprehensive evaluation conducted by a licensed psychologist to understand an individual’s mental health. It involves various components, such as interviews, questionnaires, and sometimes standardized tests. 

The goal is to gather detailed information about a person’s emotional and psychological state. This process helps diagnose mental health conditions, plan treatments, and sometimes for legal or educational purposes.

Initial Consultation

The first step is the initial consultation, which typically lasts about an hour. During this meeting, the clinician will ask about your reasons for an evaluation, your medical history, and any symptoms you might be experiencing. 

This session is crucial because it sets the stage for the evaluation process. The psychologist will use the information gathered to determine which tests and assessments are most appropriate for your situation.

Testing Sessions

The length of the testing sessions can vary widely depending on the purpose of the evaluation and the types of tests being administered. Generally, these sessions last one to four hours. 

Psychological tests include cognitive assessments, personality tests, and other standardized measures. Some tests are quick and straightforward, while others are more in-depth and time-consuming. It’s essential to be prepared for a potentially lengthy session and ask any questions beforehand.

Scoring and Interpretation

Once the testing is complete, the psychologist will need time to score and interpret the results. This phase can take several weeks, depending on the practice’s volume of patients, tests’ complexity and the individual’s specific circumstances. 

The psychologist will analyze the data to create a comprehensive profile of your psychological functioning. This step is critical as it forms the basis for the final report and any recommendations.

Feedback Session

After the scoring and interpretation, there is usually a feedback session where the clinician discusses the results with you. This session typically lasts about an hour. During this meeting, the clinician explains the findings, answers any questions you might have, and discusses any recommended next steps. 

This is a valuable opportunity to gain insights into your mental health and understand the evaluation results’ implications.

Comprehensive Report

Following the feedback session, the psychologist will compile all the information into a comprehensive report. This report includes detailed findings from the tests, interpretations, and any recommendations for treatment or further assessment. 

Writing this report can take several weeks, depending on the depth of the evaluation and the psychologist’s workload. The report is a formal evaluation record and can be shared with other healthcare providers.

Factors Affecting the Duration

Several factors can affect the overall duration of a psychological evaluation. These include the complexity of the case, the number of tests administered, and the availability of the psychologist. 

Additionally, if the evaluation is for a specific purpose, such as a legal case or an educational assessment, this might require additional time and documentation. It’s essential to communicate clearly with your psychologist about any deadlines or specific needs you might have.

Preparing for the Evaluation

It’s important to come prepared to ensure the evaluation goes smoothly. If available, bring any relevant medical records, a list of current medications, and any previous psychological evaluations. 

Being open and honest during the initial consultation and testing sessions is crucial for accurate results. Also, try to get a good night’s sleep before the testing day and eat a healthy meal to help you stay focused and alert.

What Do Psychological Evaluations Screen For?

Our psychological evaluations help your provider screen for a variety of mental health issues. 

These evaluations can identify scenarios that overload your coping abilities, allowing your psychologist to develop an effective treatment plan. Common issues screened during psychological evaluations include:

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

• Eating disorders

• Personality Disorders

• Anger management issues

• Low motivation

• Learning Disabilities

• Hopelessness

• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

• Autism spectrum disorders

Are Psychological Evaluations Right for Me?

You might benefit from a psychological evaluation if you experience ongoing sadness or fear, have difficulty paying attention, struggle with anger management, have thoughts of self-harm, or often feel hopeless about the future. These evaluations can provide crucial insights into your mental health and help guide appropriate treatment options.

What Happens During Psychological Evaluations?

During a psychological evaluation a clinician will discuss your medical history, symptoms, medication regimen, and lifestyle habits. They will evaluate key traits of your personality, such as how you:

• Relate to other people

• React to stress

• Perceive yourself

What Should I Expect After a Psychological Evaluation?

After your evaluation, your psychologist will summarize their findings into a comprehensive snapshot of your mental health. This summary will highlight areas of emotional strengths and challenges and make specific recommendations for alleviating roadblocks. These recommendations include individual psychotherapy or group therapy sessions.

The Bottom Line

In conclusion, a psychological evaluation is a multi-step process that typically takes several hours spread over multiple sessions and months. The exact duration depends on various factors, including the case’s complexity and the specific tests administered. 

While the process can be time-consuming, the insights gained from a thorough psychological evaluation can be invaluable for diagnosis and treatment planning.