How A Psych Evaluation Can Support Your Mental Health Treatment Plan
Gaining insight into your mental health may be a valuable way to maintain a healthy lifestyle. A psychological evaluation, often referred to as a psych eval, may help you answer questions regarding your mental well-being. Whether you're seeking treatment for a mental health disorder or seeking insight into your personality, a psychological evaluation can allow you to find effective treatment options.
While they may serve a similar purpose, a psychiatric evaluation is different from a psychological (psych) evaluation. Some situations may call for a psychiatric evaluation, but these can involve separate processes, professionals, and determinations of treatment. The purpose of a psychiatric evaluation is to identify and diagnose a disorder, while a psychological evaluation is a more general mental health evaluation. If you’re experiencing symptoms of depression, bipolar disorder, or another mental health disorder, a psychiatric evaluation is worthwhile before seeking treatment. However, for certain disorders like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), there may be multiple health professionals who can provide an evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment.
Psychologists conduct psychological testing to diagnose mental health conditions and provide treatment options. These tests might help individuals clarify their symptoms and behaviors, identify any underlying psychological concerns, and develop strategies to manage them. Psych evaluations might also help identify potential risk factors, allowing for early intervention and psychological treatment. Learning how a psych evaluation might benefit you can be a first step in the process of understanding your mental health.
Types of psychological evaluations
Below are a few of the primary types of psychological examinations and how they are performed.
Clinical interviews
A clinical interview, which can now also be conducted through an online psychological evaluation, may involve a conversation between a mental health professional and a client. The purpose of this is to gather information the professional can use to evaluate the client’s mental well-being. It could occur during a therapy session or as a standalone appointment. Often, clinical psychologists perform these interviews.
During the interview, the psychologist may ask about your medical history, family history, symptoms, and behavior. They may also ask about other aspects of your personal history if they believe it will help the evaluation process. This information might be used to get an idea of your current mental status, form a diagnosis, and determine treatment options. Individuals may sometimes attend several interviews or sessions before receiving an accurate diagnosis from a psychologist.
Psychological tests for different mental health conditions including bipolar disorder
Psychological tests are a standardized method of measuring certain aspects of an individual's mental health and behavior. These tests might include self-report measures, projective tests, and objective tests. Self-report measures are questionnaires asking the individual to rate their symptoms and behaviors.
Projective tests involve presenting the individual with ambiguous stimuli and asking them to interpret or describe them. Part of the evaluation process may involve a patient being asked to respond to an image or a word during projective tests psychology. The Rorschach inkblot test is an example of a projective test. Objective tests include tests of intelligence, memory, and other cognitive abilities. Other tests you may have heard of can fall under the definition of objective test (one example being the intelligence quotient or “IQ” test.)
These assessments can help evaluate various mental health conditions, including bipolar disorder, by identifying symptoms and behavioral patterns relevant to diagnosis and treatment.
Neuropsychological assessments to guide your treatment plan
Neuropsychological testing may be used to evaluate the relationship between the brain and behavior. These evaluations may include tests of cognitive abilities and intellectual functioning, such as tests on memory, attention, language, motor skills, and coordination. They might also include a physical exam or test, like a brain scan. In some cases, neuropsychological assessments are provided along with psychological testing to check for certain symptoms, common mental health conditions such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or the presence of a physical disorder.
The results of these assessments can help guide your treatment plan by identifying cognitive strengths and challenges, allowing healthcare providers to tailor interventions that address your specific needs.
Behavioral observation
Behavioral observation evaluates an individual's behavior in a naturalistic setting and can help determine whether they have an increased sensitivity when subjected to certain stimuli. This type of psych evaluation might include observing an individual in their home, school, or work environment. Observation could provide insight into how an individual's behavior may impact their daily lives and relationships between family members, colleagues, and other individuals.
Each type of psych evaluation may be unique and has its strengths and limitations. Psychologists may often use a combination of these methods to gather a complete understanding of an individual's mental health and develop an appropriate treatment plan if therapy is going to be completed.
How much does a psychological evaluation cost?
The cost of a psych evaluation can vary depending on which type you utilize, how many sessions you attend, and what conditions you are testing for. Some tests, like neuropsychological testing, may not be covered by insurance and can be costly. Diagnostic testing or interviewing by a counselor or therapist may be covered. However, reach out to your insurance plan to learn more about the cost of a psych evaluation.
According to Forbes, regular therapy sessions in an in-person setting range from $100 to $200 per session. Official neuropsychological testing or psychological assessments can cost from $100 to a few thousand dollars. The price can depend on the institution or provider you visit and your location. Pricing may be cheaper if you sign up for psychological testing through a university's clinical student psychological program.
The benefits of psych evaluations: Understanding mental health conditions and managing symptoms
A psych evaluation may provide a few benefits. By gaining more significant insight into your mental health, you may be able to make any necessary changes to inspire a healthier lifestyle.
- An improved understanding and awareness of mental health issues
- The option to identify and treat any underlying psychological symptoms or issues
- Enhanced ability to manage symptoms or behaviors more effectively
- The ability to identify risk factors to prevent future problems from arising
- The development of strategies for coping and problem-solving
- More significant self-awareness and insight into one's thoughts, feelings, and behavior
- The opportunity to improve relationships between yourself, family members, and other loved ones
Understanding the results of a psych evaluation
If you have received the results of a psych evaluation, you may wonder how to interpret them. Below are some tips.
Interpreting a psych evaluation
The results from a psychological evaluation may be difficult to interpret on your own. A mental health professional might guide you in interpreting the results to aid personal growth and development. Often, psychologists use the MMPI test to assess if you have a mental disorder. You can also perform research on the form of test you completed and the mental health conditions or symptoms you have been diagnosed with. The DSM-5 can tell you more about how each condition's diagnostic criteria work.
Using psych evaluations for self-improvement
Psychological evaluations may be used to understand your strengths and weaknesses, set goals, create strategies for progress, and monitor progress over time. They may also help determine the areas where additional support or treatment may be needed. Psych evaluations may help clients understand mental health issues and be used as part of a self-improvement plan. With appropriate resources and guidance, psychological evaluations might provide valuable insight into your mental health and behavior to support personal growth and development. Even if you choose not to pursue any sort of mental health treatment, the results from a psych evaluation can be beneficial.
Disclaimer on psychological evaluations and seeking treatment
A psychological evaluation should be completed by a licensed mental health provider or doctor like a psychiatrist, especially if you’re receiving a formal diagnosis for a condition like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Online medical tests and casual testing do not replace the advice of one of these professionals. Additionally, reading your results on your own may result in confusion or misinterpretation. Depending on the nature of your evaluation, your physical health may not be taken into account. If you have a physical health condition that you believe could be contributing to your psychological state, it's important you share those with your physician and the mental health professional who is completing your assessment. You may also want to consider a psychiatric assessment, which may place more focus on physical health when it comes to determining treatment options.
Consider speaking to a mental health professional who can provide you with guidance and support as you work toward your goals. If you are struggling with mental health issues or seeking self-improvement, it may be best to consult a qualified mental health provider to discuss your treatment options.
How online therapy supports mental health conditions, including bipolar disorder
Psychological evaluations serve, in some cases, as valuable tools for learning more about your mental health. However, they may sound intimidating, and can often be expensive. Some individuals may prefer to find support through counseling, with or without a diagnosis. You can try counseling in person or online.
Online therapy can allow individuals to talk about their thoughts, feelings, physical symptoms, and behaviors in a safe and discreet setting. You can attend video, phone, or live chat sessions with a licensed therapist through online counseling. Research has shown that online therapy may be an effective method of addressing symptoms of mental health conditions, including conditions like depression, bipolar disorder, or an eating disorder. For example, individuals with bipolar disorder may find that online therapy offers a flexible and consistent form of support, helping them manage mood fluctuations and develop coping strategies.One Knechtel study found that individuals who used online therapy reported feelings of self-efficacy regarding their mental health, as well as improved satisfaction with the quality of care received.
Takeaway
Although the act of seeking out therapy and getting an initial diagnosis can seem daunting, letting your mental health symptoms go untreated may have a negative impact. Taking the first steps and connecting with a counselor could open the path to treatment and self-sufficiency. If you're interested in learning more and possibly improving your symptoms, consider reaching out to a therapist or psychological professional for further guidance and support.
How do you prepare for a psychiatric evaluation?
If you are scheduled for a psychiatric evaluation, there may not be much you can do to prepare for the assessment itself, but there are some things you may be able to do to make the process less stressful. Try to get a good night's sleep the night before the exam. If you’re nervous, practicing deep breathing exercises can help.
Consider thinking about your feelings and state of mind before meeting with the doctor or mental health specialist. Think about what you’ve been experiencing and any symptoms you’ve noticed. Make a list of any medications that you take, too.
You may also want to check with your health insurance company to see if the evaluation is covered and how much you can expect to pay. If your insurance does not cover it or you have to pay out of pocket, talk to the provider who will administer the evaluation about payment options.
What is the difference between psychiatric evaluation and psychological assessment?
A psychiatric evaluation is performed by a psychiatrist and can be used to diagnose behavioral, emotional, or developmental disorders. It evaluates behaviors related to genetic, physical, social, environmental, emotional, cognitive, and educational components. Each evaluation may be different, depending on the person’s symptoms, but they can include evaluating the specifics of the behaviors, like how long they’ve been occurring, when they appear, how long they last, and the conditions in which they appear. The psychiatrist will also evaluate how the behaviors affect different areas of the person’s life, including work or school performance and their relationships. This type of evaluation typically includes a medical component as the psychiatrist considers the person’s medical history, current medical treatments, and results of lab tests, including blood work and radiology studies. These tests determine if underlying medical conditions might contribute to the person’s symptoms.
A psychological assessment is done for essentially the same purpose but is slightly different. These assessments are administered by licensed psychologists and used to measure certain aspects of mental health and behavior. What sets them apart from psychiatric evaluations is that there may not be a medical component, and they use a variety of standardized tests, like the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) or the Rorschach inkblot test, to compare the person against a peer group. In a psychological assessment, the psychologist collects data from various sources, like family interviews and test data, and recommends a diagnosis and treatment.
What happens in a psych evaluation?
During a psychological evaluation, the licensed psychologist may use a variety of formal or structured tests and clinical interviews to identify any behavioral, emotional, or learning problems. Depending on the test and your symptoms, the evaluation may take a few hours or a full day or be divided into several sessions.
What to expect from a psych evaluation test?
A psych evaluation is more than a personality assessment or personality test. A psychologist might use a few types of examinations in an evaluation. In a clinical interview, the psychologist will ask questions to gather information about your mental well-being. They may also ask about symptoms, personality traits, behavior, family history, marital status, whether you have children, or any other aspects of your personal history they believe will help them with their assessment.
Tests that a psychologist might use during an evaluation may include questionnaires asking the person to rate their symptoms and behaviors or projective tests that use ambiguous stimuli and ask the person to describe or interpret them. They may also use memory or intelligence tests and neuropsychological assessments to assess the relationship between the brain and behavior (like memory, language, motor skills, attention, and coordination tests).
Psychologists may also use behavioral observation to assess the person’s behavior in a more naturalistic setting to determine whether certain stimuli influence their behaviors and gain insight into how their behavior impacts their lives and relationships. They may evaluate the person at school, work, or home.
What questions are asked in a psychiatric evaluation?
Some of the questions a psychiatrist may ask during a psychiatric evaluation may include:
What symptoms are you experiencing? How severe are they? How long have they been occurring?
Do you have a history of psychiatric hospitalization?
What substances do you use? How much, how frequently, and what route?
Do you engage in high-risk behaviors that would predispose you to a medical illness?
What are your current or past psychological stressors?
These questions and others that the psychiatrist might ask may seem intrusive, but it can be helpful to understand that they are asking them so they can gather as much information as possible to come up with an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.
What is the psychiatric evaluation test called?
There aren’t many other names for this type of evaluation. You may hear it called a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation or a routine psychiatric assessment. “Psych evaluation” can refer to either a psychiatric or psychological evaluation, so if you hear that term, it may be a good idea to clarify.
Who conducts a psychological evaluation?
A licensed clinical psychologist conducts psychological evaluations. A licensed therapist or clinical social worker is generally not qualified to perform these evaluations.
How is a psychological evaluation conducted?
Psychological evaluations are generally conducted through an in-person or online clinical interview. Other tests, like questionnaires, objective tests, neuropsychological assessments, and behavioral observations, may be used. These evaluations are done in person.
What are the three main purposes of a treatment plan evaluation?
Psych evaluations generally have two main purposes: coming up with an appropriate diagnosis and determining the best form of treatment. Treatment plan evaluations help assess progress and make necessary adjustments to improve outcomes.
When should you do a psych evaluation?
If you are experiencing challenges with your mental health and are not sure what is happening, doing a mental evaluation may be a good idea. The results can help you understand your symptoms more and help you make sure you get the proper treatment.
Family, friends, coworkers, teachers, or parole officers may be the first to suspect that someone is experiencing a problem and the first line of defense to help ensure they get the help they need. If you notice that a family member is exhibiting challenging behaviors or feelings and is having difficulties in school, at work, in their relationships, or if they are engaging in harmful eating or sleeping habits, using substances, or having problems with coping, encourage them to seek the best treatment as soon as possible.
- Previous Article
- Next Article