Clinical Interview
Our clinical interviews are always conducted by a licensed psychologist. This interview is designed to efficiently gather you or your child’s presenting concerns and historical information. If the assessment is being conducted with a minor, typically, the parents will be interviewed first and the child will be interviewed in a separate interview (in some cases older children will be interviewed prior to the parents). Common topics include current problems, symptom and medical history, previous treatments, academic history, and brief discussions about important life topics such as family, friends, and early childhood. Though this interview covers many topic areas, our clinicians will put you at ease and the conversation often results in a positive mindset.
Assessment
The assessment is conducted in a relaxing environment with a psychometrician (a professional who is trained to administer standardized tests). The evaluation process involves taking a series of “tests" that are designed to measure verbal skills (e.g. vocabulary), non-verbal skills (e.g. visuo-spatial skills), auditory and visual attention, and academic skill sets in reading, math, and written language. In addition, tests that evaluate mood and personality are given. Do not be intimidated, most of the “tests” are often described as feeling like short cognitive games. The individual subtests are brief and the entire assessment, which can span 4 to 6 hours, typically passes quickly.
Feedback
Approximately one to two weeks after the testing session you will receive written and, in some cases, verbal feedback from the psychologist in charge of your assessment. This feedback will provide an explanation concerning you or your child’s presenting problems, the reasoning underlying any diagnoses that were made, and an explanation for our treatment recommendations. You will receive a full clinical report that can be given to providers, school disability offices, and that can be used to gain accommodations on tests such as the ACT, SAT, and GRE.
Treatment Plan
The treatment plan outlined in you or your child’s comprehensive assessment report will include specific guidelines for optimal learning, suggestions for treating cognitive and emotional issues (e.g. pharmaceutical treatment, academic counseling, psychotherapy), recommendations pertaining to academic disability services, and recommendations for academic accommodations on entrance exams like the ISEE, ACT, SAT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT, and GMAT. If you have chosen a career guidance package, you will have additional suggestions concerning your choice of major, strategic academic plan, and optimal career path.
Post-assessment consulting
We cannot underestimate the importance of this final assessment phase. Many psychoeducational reports have numerous recommendations. Your journey with Dr. Gibbs does not end with a simple list of recommendations, however. After you are provided your feedback, our administrative consultants will be available to help locate recommended providers, find tutors and test prep programs, and answer questions regarding the complicated academic disability process. This includes making sure you have necessary forms, that the forms are completed correctly, and that they are submitted by important deadlines.
