What is a Psychological Evaluation?

A psychological assessment is a wonderful tool that allows you to get to know yourself. We explain 5 benefits of having a psychological evaluation below.

With any form of illness, early detection is critical for effective treatment. The same applies to mental illnesses and conditions in all of their forms. One of the most effective ways to determine whether you have a mental or neurological health problem is by undergoing a psychological evaluation or assessment.

As mental health diagnoses reach record highs, it is more important than ever to get a clear picture of your own mental health, so that you can begin to seek the treatment you may need. But what is a psychological evaluation, and what are the benefits? Read on to find out all you need to know.

What Can A Psychological Evaluation Help To Determine?

1. Diagnose Anxiety or Depression

If you are feeling depressed or anxious and are wondering “should I have a psychological evaluation?”, the answer is almost certainly yes. Anxiety affects a huge number of people, with treatment now being more accessible than ever. There are also different types of anxiety that may lead to depression or be confused with depression. There can be confusion on the difference between anxiety and stress as well. We all feel symptoms of either stress, worry, or sadness from time-to-time, but understanding whether what you are feeling is normal or is a symptom of a serious mental illness is crucial. A psychological assessment can help you determine that.

2. Detect Neurological Disorders

Various neurological disorders affect millions of Americans, sometimes leading to debilitating conditions when left untreated. A trained psychologist will be able to assess whether or not you have symptoms of a neurological disorder, and can help you understand how to live with these symptoms. A psychologist will be able to refer you to a medical doctor for further evaluation if necessary. The sooner neurological disorders are detected, the better they can be treated. At Relucent, we can assess ADHD and learning disabilities. We do not complete memory/dementia evaluations or organic traumatic brain injury related evaluations; however, we are happy to point you in the direction of places that do!

3. Evaluate for Adult Autism

Adult autism evaluations are becoming increasingly common. This is not due to an increase in autism, but rather an increase in awareness throughout society. More and more individuals are starting to embrace and become curious about neurodifferences. At Relucent, we are more than happy to support the adult community by providing these evaluations by actively listening to your story, understanding ways you feel comfortable versus uncomfortable in day-to-day life, and helping find explanations for your past experiences with the intention of living an unmasked, enjoyable future. We particularly specialize in evaluating woman-identified individuals who may be nervous about masking getting in the way of test results or worried about invalidation after years (or decades in some cases) of being told they have other conditions.

4. Screen Your Children’s Mental Health

Psychological evaluations do not just benefit adults. A psychological evaluation for a child can help you make essential and informed decisions about the wellbeing and health of your family.A routine psychological evaluation can quickly determine whether your child has a condition such as ADHD, a learning disability, phobias, OCD or a developmental delay, ensuring that they get the right treatment as quickly as possible. An evaluation can also help you determine whether your child would benefit from additional support at school or home.

5. Test Your Cognitive Functioning

Finally, one of the key benefits of a psychological evaluation is that you can quickly get a detailed picture of your overall cognitive functioning. This means that you can find out whether your brain is working as it should and whether it is able to process information, images, emotions, and events in a typical way. You will be able to detect any current or potential future cognitive problems you might face, allowing you to take the right preventative steps to ensure healthy brain function throughout your life. You would also learn about your strengths and how to use these to your advantage. We are happy to offer IQ-only testing for those applying to MENSA or other intelligence groups, applications to school, and/or out of pure curiosity about one’s IQ.

Book A Psychological Evaluation Today

Now that you know how a psychological evaluation can benefit yourself and your family, book one today! 

For more information send a contact us message or call us at 408-680-4114.

Skip to content