For children, teens, and adults
Psychological testing in Escondido
When something is not adding up, psychological testing tells you what is actually going on and what to do about it. Every evaluation here is conducted start to finish by a licensed psychologist, never a technician.
A psychological evaluation does not reduce anyone to a category
The worry we hear most is that testing will flatten a person into a label. In practice it works the other way around. A thorough evaluation describes someone in enough detail that the people around them finally know how to help.
Which supports, which accommodations, which treatment, and in what order.
The basics
What is psychological testing?
Psychological testing typically consists of multiple independent tests given in a group, called a "battery," that with expert interpretation can identify different aspects about how a person thinks and reacts. Psychological testing can only be interpreted by a specially trained licensed psychologist.
Each test is rigorously statistically validated to ensure the results are reliable and consistently replicated by national certifying bodies. Individual tests can take anywhere from 10 minutes to 3 hours, with the complete test battery generally lasting between 2 and 8 hours, depending on the complexity of the assessment question.
Testing methods vary widely, from multiple choice tests on an iPad, to verbally answering standardized test questions, to paper and pencil. Each testing method utilized depends on what the test is designed to identify in the test taker. The psychologist will then carefully interpret the results to create a written report, which will be presented to the client in detail upon completion of all testing.
10 min to 3 hrs
A single test
2 to 8 hours
A complete battery
Within 30 days
Written report delivered
What it is for
What a psychological evaluation is used for
A psychological evaluation and the written report that follows can be used for a variety of purposes, including:
Diagnostic clarification
Psychiatrists can use these reports to help them differentiate between different diagnoses to aid them in tailoring medications. A classic example is differentiating ADHD from anxiety, both of which are frequently misdiagnosed and mistreated.
Educational accommodations
Certain diagnoses may grant the client the use of accommodations from educational bodies at various levels, including grade school, college, and university. For example, an individual found to have a slower processing speed may be granted extended test taking time on assignments and exams.
Social Security and disability benefits
Some diagnoses can entitle the client to financial assistance.
The part most families do not think to ask about
Who conducts your testing
At Pinnacle Counseling and Testing, all psychological testing is conducted by a licensed psychologist or other doctor of psychology. We do not employ psychometrists or other testing technicians.
That is not the industry norm. It is common for a technician to administer the battery while a psychologist reviews the scores afterward and signs the report. It is faster and cheaper to run a practice that way. It also means the person forming the diagnostic opinion never observed the person being tested, and a great deal of what matters happens in the room rather than on the scoring sheet.
My ultimate goal in practice is to provide you or your child with a thorough, comprehensive psychological assessment that will allow you to fully understand your unique learning and emotional needs. I do not perform "drive thru" evaluations.
Dr. Erich Haezebrouck, PsyDSelecting the battery
What tests do we administer?
There are a wide variety of tests to select from that are designed to answer specific questions about specific ages and groups of people. For example, an intelligence quotient (IQ) test is a common element of psychoeducational evaluations, while a validated personality measure could be used in a different battery to test for emotional disturbance. Each testing battery is individually tailored to the unique diagnostic needs of each client we serve.
Autism Evaluations
Comprehensive developmental assessment using validated instruments including the ADOS-2.
Learn more →ADHD & Executive Functioning
Full evaluations that also screen for the learning and anxiety conditions that often accompany ADHD.
Learn more →Academic & Psychoeducational
Learning disorders, dyslexia, and giftedness, documented for IEP and 504 planning.
Learn more →Neuropsychological Testing
A deeper look at memory, attention, and cognitive functioning for complex presentations.
Learn more →Therapeutic Assessments
A collaborative process treating the evaluation itself as the first step of therapy.
Learn more →Psychological Clearances
Pre-procedure evaluations completed promptly, with documentation sent to your care team.
Learn more →Before you book
Testing policies
Questions we hear most
Before you call
How long does psychological testing take?
Individual tests can take anywhere from 10 minutes to 3 hours, with a complete battery generally lasting between 2 and 8 hours depending on the complexity of the assessment question. That is in addition to the hour-long intake beforehand and the hour-long feedback session afterward. We tell you the exact schedule for your evaluation before you book.
Who will actually be conducting the testing?
A licensed psychologist or other doctor of psychology, for every session. We do not employ psychometrists or other testing technicians. Many practices have a technician administer the instruments while a psychologist reviews the scores afterward, which means the person forming the diagnostic opinion was never in the room.
How soon can we get in?
We do not maintain a waitlist and can usually schedule within days rather than months.
Do you take insurance?
Psychological testing is private pay. An itemized superbill will be provided for your submission to insurance companies for possible reimbursement. We accept debit card, credit card, Health Savings Account (HSA), Flexible Spending Account (FSA), and electronic funds transfer (EFT), and we offer CareCredit for six months interest free financing.
Why is there a deposit?
A $500 non-refundable deposit is required to schedule your testing appointment, because a battery reserves a substantial block of clinician time, often most of a day. The remaining balance is due at the time of service.
When will we receive the report?
A written testing report will be completed no longer than 30 days after the final test has been completed. If you need it sooner, an additional rush fee may be incurred. Turnaround as short as two days may be possible, depending on the complexity of the testing battery and the availability of the psychologist.
What ages do you test?
Children, teens, and adults. Children and teens are the heart of our practice, and we also evaluate adults, including those who suspect a condition that was never identified in childhood.
What can the report be used for?
Diagnostic clarification for a prescriber choosing medication, educational accommodations at grade school, college, and university level, and in some cases documentation toward Social Security or disability benefits.
From our clinical team
Guides for parents
Schedule psychological testing
Testing for children, teens, and adults at our Escondido office, serving North County San Diego and southwest Riverside County.
No waitlist · Licensed psychologist start to finish