Suburban Counseling Services provides assessment services for individuals and
families who are looking for answers to what are often very difficult questions. Psychological
testing is uniquely useful in providing a timely, comprehensive outlook on your particular
situation.
|
|
As a Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Campbell possesses a great deal of
specialized, advanced training in the administration and interpretation of psychological
tests. The tests generally focus on several major areas such as intellectual or cognitive
functioning, psychiatric difficulties, and personality style. All the tests have a high
degree of reliability and validity through years of rigorous, empirical research. Most insurance companies cover a significant portion of the cost for
psychological testing and the expense is quite reasonable — particularly when considering the
return it provides. A skillful assessment offers the opportunity to get to the “bottom
line” more rapidly. This means you’re able to get answers quickly and receive
the proper treatment, thereby easing your distress sooner and possibly shortening your time
in therapy.
|
|
A Skillful Assessment Clarifies
- Intellectual & Cognitive Functioning — IQ, verbal skills, abstract reasoning skills, information processing style, or cognitive thinking errors.
- Diagnosis — depression, bipolar, posttraumatic stress, anxiety, ADD/ADHD, oppositional & conduct behaviors, substance abuse & dependence, schizophrenia.
- Individual Concerns — health preoccupations or lifestyle impact.
- Personality Style — dependent, passive, extroverted, introverted, obsessive, compulsive, dramatic, depressive, passive-aggressive, negative, irritable, conforming, antisocial, or narcissistic.
- Self-Perception & Interpersonal/World View — sociable, loner, altruistic, empathic, threatened, powerful, self-confident, respectful, reliable, selfish, leader, or follower.
- Severity of Symptoms — mild, moderate or severe.
- Level of Functioning — high or low functioning, under- or over-achieving.
- Risk Areas — suicide, aggressive & violent behaviors, impulsivity, alcohol & drugs abuse, or trauma & abuse.
| |
Another important focus area in the testing is highlighting your
strengths and positive skills. In looking at this, Dr. Campbell examines how your positive strengths
and skills can be used to minimize or work with weaker areas and how some weaknesses can be
more properly channeled into strengths. A few examples of such qualities are spontaneous vs.
impulsive, shy vs. introspective, creative vs. realistic, reckless vs. adventurous, and
obsessive vs. thoughtful. Finally, testing is quite helpful in terms of assisting your
doctor in selecting the most effective treatment approaches.
After the testing is completed, Dr. Campbell meets with you to discuss the
results in a language that can be easily understood. A written summary may also be provided. In general, patients are able
to learn a great deal about themselves through the testing process and gain a clearer sense of direction in focusing their
treatment.
|
|
Several Specialized Assessments Available
- Couples – Provides couples with
information about their differences and similarities in the areas of marital satisfaction,
conflict, compatibility and
communication style. This helps couples communicate those hard-to-express thoughts and feelings, and then use the information
they’ve gained to work independently on their relationship and with a marital therapist.
- Adolescents & Parents – Provides information on family relationships, interaction patterns, communication styles, roles, stressors, overall health, and
strengths in the family dynamics. This information enables family members to learn more about his or her own role in the
family and how that influences the family as a whole. This strength-based approach helps the family respond to each other
in a calmer, more productive manner — enabling the adolescent and parents to feel they're all being heard, understood
and respected.
- Seniors — Provides information relevant to cognitive functioning, mood, and current level of competency in decision making, judgment, memory, attention, or ability to care for self in an independent setting.
| |