What to Expect During a Psychological Evaluation
As a psychologist, I understand that the idea of a psychological evaluation can feel a bit intimidating. Many clients tell me they worry about what the process will be like or what the results might mean. My goal is to make each evaluation collaborative, transparent, and informative so that, by the end, you have a clear understanding of yourself or your child and a plan for how to move forward.
At Sylvan Lake Therapy & Assessment, in Denver, Colorado, I provide comprehensive psychological evaluations designed to provide insight into how a person thinks, learns, and manages emotions. Whether you’re seeking clarity about ADHD, exploring a possible autism diagnosis, or trying to better understand your mood or personality patterns, a psychological assessment offers valuable insight into how your mind works. A psychological assessment is often one of the most effective ways to understand how you or your child think, learn, and respond to stress.
Step 1: The Initial Consultation
The first step in the process is an initial meeting, either in person or virtually. During this session, I’ll gather background information, listen to your concerns, and learn about your goals for testing. This helps me tailor the evaluation to your unique needs and whether you’re seeking diagnostic clarity, school recommendations, or a better understanding of emotional or behavioral patterns.
We’ll review your history, discuss any previous evaluations or interventions, and determine which assessments are most appropriate. This step also gives you a chance to ask questions about the process and what to expect moving forward.
Step 2: The Testing Sessions
The next step is the testing itself. Depending on the reason for your evaluation, sessions may last several hours and are sometimes spread across two appointments. I strive to create a calm and supportive environment where clients — especially children — can feel at ease.
A typical psychological assessment may include:
Cognitive or IQ measures to understand problem-solving and reasoning skills
Attention and executive functioning tasks to assess focus, working memory, and organization
Emotional and behavioral questionnaires to understand mood and coping
Performance based personality measures
These assessments help identify strengths and challenges that may be contributing to current concerns.
Step 3: Scoring and Interpretation
After testing, I carefully score and interpret each measure, comparing results to age-based norms. This process allows me to see patterns across areas of functioning. For example, how attention skills may interact with emotional regulation, or how learning style may affect academic performance.
I integrate the test data with clinical observations and background information to develop a comprehensive picture. This step takes time, but it’s essential for ensuring the results are accurate and meaningful.
Step 4: The Feedback Session
Once all data are analyzed, we meet for a feedback session to go over the findings in detail. During this meeting, I explain the results clearly and answer any questions you may have. You’ll learn about areas of strength, any diagnosed conditions (if applicable), and specific recommendations for home, school, or therapy.
You’ll also receive a written report summarizing the full evaluation, which can be shared with other professionals if needed. My goal in this step is not only to explain the results, but to help you understand how to use the information in practical ways that make daily life easier.
How Psychological Testing Can Help You Move Forward
A psychological evaluation is more than a collection of scores — it’s a process of understanding. For children, testing often provides insight into learning or attention challenges and helps guide effective school supports. For adults, it can bring clarity to long-standing struggles with focus, emotion regulation, or self-doubt.
In many cases, clients describe feeling a sense of relief after testing. The process helps them put language to experiences they’ve had for years and provides a clear path forward. Whether the next step is therapy, academic support, or lifestyle adjustments, testing often serves as the foundation for meaningful growth and change.
Serving Denver and Surrounding Communities
Sylvan Lake Therapy & Assessment is located in central Denver and serves individuals and families throughout the surrounding area, including Lakewood, Littleton, Cherry Creek, and the Highlands. Whether you’re seeking ADHD testing in Denver, an autism evaluation, or a general psychological assessment near me, I aim to make the process clear, compassionate, and thorough.
If you’re considering a psychological evaluation in Denver for yourself or your child, I would be happy to discuss what the process might look like for your situation and answer any questions you may have.
