Psychological & Neurological Testing
What is psychological testing?
Psychological testing involves the use of tests and instruments to determine factors of personality, intelligence, neurological function, and behavioral patterns. These tests may be face-to-face encounters or self-administered
questionnaires completed by the patient or other individual.
The purpose of psychological testing is to assist the therapist in more accurately understanding the patient and arriving at a definitive diagnosis. Testing can shorten the time of assessment so that therapy can proceed more quickly and directly.
What psychological problems can be
identified by psychological testing?
Areas examined by psychological testing include personality disorders, depressive and anxiety disorders, addictive disorders, behavior disorders, psychosomatic disorders, and disorders of character. Testing can
establish the level of impairment in each of these areas as well as the potential for harm to oneself or to others.
What is intellectual testing?
Intelligence testing examines several areas of ability focusing primarily on
verbal, logical, and visual-motor abilities. Further testing may reveal special abilities in music, art, visual-spatial awareness, naturalistic, and kinesthetic intelligences.
What is neurological testing?
Neurological testing examines the functioning of the brain on several levels: cognitive ability, short-term memory, visual memory, auditory memory, visual-spatial ability, and visual-motor ability. Additionally, some examination of preference for left frontal or right frontal functioning is
conducted. Neurological testing may also determine degree of impairment in cases of neurological damage due to injury, birth trauma, genetics, or disease. Neurological testing can be augmented by further medical procedures such as an MRI, an fMRI, a brain scan, or a brain wave test.
What is personality testing?
Personality testing examines the individual for preferences on several dimensions including boundary orientation, perception, judgment; energy formation and maintenance; and temperament. Further
examination of personality includes gender issues, family background, character development, and
relationship ability. It can be very
valuable to compare different personality structures among people in a relationship.
What is relationship testing?
Relationship testing examines the
personality structure and behavioral
patterns of two or more individuals in
order to find similarities and differences. These similarities and differences can then be
explored to identify potential strengths and limitations of the relationship as well
as to understand conflicts and disagreements between individuals.
What is vocational-educational testing?
Vocational testing can assist an individual exam1ning his or her current job in comparison with personal interests, abilities, and dreams. Educational testing helps individuals assess their intellectual strengths and maximize their educational pursuits.
How much does psychological testing cost?
The cost of testing depends on the extent of the battery of tests administered. Typical costs range from a low of $200 to about $800.
When can these tests be administered?
Testing can usually be completed within a week of an initial appointment.
Who
administers these tests?
All tests administered by a licensed psychologist or a specially trained
therapist.
Contact the Samaritan Counseling Center to set an appointment.
(608) 663-0763