Why is Psychological Testing Valuable?

Psychological testing is an excellent tool to see beneath the surface and tease out the most important issues that need treatment. It is not always obvious to even the most attentive parent what is happening with their child. For example, there are many reasons a child might tantrum. It could be due to ADHD, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, sensory problems, trauma, performance anxiety and even rare problems of autism. This is not a complete list. The important point is that there is almost always a reason and it is often something that the child cannot figure out or cope with on his/her own. The same is true of adults.

We pride ourselves on having a truly comprehensive collection of tests and diagnostic tools. We would be surprised if any other psychology practice in town has the depth and breadth of tools we offer.

Types of evaluations:

Treatment Evaluations for children and teens with whom we are going to do therapy. These are typically short - about 2 hours and we test the child for depression, anxiety, self-esteem, vision tracking and the ability to maintain focused attention. In addition to parents getting the first copy of the report, parents may provide them to physicians and other treatment providers. They are not done for legal purposes.
Treatment Evaluations for adults. These are also short and take about 2 hours. We use adult versions of tests for depression, anxiety, and the ability to maintain focused attention. In addition to the client receiving the first copy of the report, these may be provided to physicians and other treatment providers. They are not done for legal purposes.
Comprehension Evaluations for children and teens. We do the same tests as for the Treatment Evaluations and add IQ and Achievement testing and any other tests as needed from the list below. This evaluation adds the testing needed for learning disabilities. In addition to parents getting the first copy or the report, parents may provide them to physicians and other treatment providers. They are not done for legal purposes.
Comprehension Evaluations for adults. We do that same tests as for the Treatment Evaluations and add IQ and Achievement testing and any other tests as needed from the list below. This evaluation adds the testing needed for learning disabilities. In addition to the client receiving the first copy of the report, these may be provided to physicians, other treatment providers, colleges & universities. They are not done for legal purposes.
Evaluations for Outside Agencies. (Dr. Beth Quackenbush) These are personality evaluations for other agencies that describe a client's treatment needs.

Here are Our Tools

Child Tests:

The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, IV Edition (WISC-IV). This is the most commonly used IQ test for use with children ages 6 to 17.
The Basic Assessment Scales for Children (BASC). The scales measure personality traits in children. We have forms for parents, teachers, and children. The test covers children aged 2 1/2 to 18.
The Children's Depression Inventory (CDI). This is a test for depression for children aged 7 to 17.
The Reynold's Manifest Anxiety Inventory (RCMAS). This is a test of anxiety for children aged 7 to 17.
The Piers-Harris II Self-Concept Scale. This is a test of self-concept for ages 7-17.
The K-D New York State Optometrist Association test (K-D NYSOA). This is a test of vision tracking skills needed in reading. It is used with ages 6 to 14.
The Beck Youth Inventories with scales for Depression, Anxiety, Anger, Disruptive Behavior and Self-Concept. This is for ages 7 to 14.
The Brown Attention Deficit Disorder Scales for Adolescents. This is for ages 12 to 18.
The Asperger's Syndrome Diagnostic Scale. This is for ages 5 to 18.
The Comprehensive Test of Phonological Processing. This for ages 7 to 24.
The Test for Auditory Processing Disorders in Children - Revised. This is for ages 5 to 12.
The Gray Oral Reading Tests. Informal assessment for grades 1-12.
The Beery Test of Visual-Motor Integration (VMI). This is a test of eye-hand coordination. This is used with ages 4 to 18.
The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory for Adolescents (MMPI-A) This is a comprehensive test of personality for adolescents ages 14 to 18.
The Taylor ADHD Hyperactivity Screening Checklist for children 4 to 10.
The Brigance Inventory of Readiness Skills. This is an informal test of basic school readiness skills that we most commonly use with age 5 and 6.

Tests used with both Children and Adults:

The Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA). This is for ages 4 to 80.
The Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence. It is used with ages 6 to 89.
The Stanford-Binet, V Edition. This is the "back-up" test to the WISC, IV and the WAIS, III. We use it in special situations when the Wechsler Scales are not clinically appropriate. It is used with ages 4 to 85.
The Woodcock-Johnson Psychoeducational Battery, III Edition (WJ-III). This is the most commonly used achievement test used in the United States (reading, writing, and math). It can be used with ages 4 to 90.
The Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test, III Edition (PPVT-III). This is a test of receptive vocabulary with an age range from 3 to 90.
The DSM-IV ADHD Rating Scale. This is a rating scale for ADHD and ADD. It is for ages 6 to 60.
The CY-BOCS Obsessions Checklist (for OCD). This is for children and adolescents.
The CY-BOC Compulsions Checklist (for OCD). This is for children and adolescents.
The Family Assessment Measure - III. For children and adults. Requires a 5th grade reading level.
The Nelson-Denny Reading Test: Vocabulary, Comprehension, Reading Rate. This is for grades High School (grades 9-12) and College (grades 13-16).
The Strong Interest Inventory. This for ages High School through Adult.
The Tennessee Self-Concept Scale II. This is for ages 13 through adult.
The Comprehensive Test of Nonverbal Intelligence. This is for ages 6 to 89.

Adult Tests:

The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, III Edition (WAIS-III). This is the most commonly used IQ test for Adults aged 16 to 89.
The Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS). This is an excellent test of memory for adults aged 16 to 89.
The Brown Attention Deficit Disorder Scales for Adults. This is for ages 18 and up.
The Burns Anxiety Inventory for Adults. This is for age 18 and up.
The Burns Depression Inventory for Adults. This is for age 18 and up.
The Weiss-Cerretto Marital Status Inventory. This is for married adults.
The Locke-Wallace Marital Adjustment Test. This is for married adults
The Bender-Gestalt Test. This is a test of visual-motor integration more commonly used with adults.
The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, II Edition (MMPI-II). This is a comprehensive personality test for adults, ages 18 to 89.

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