Whether you need a focused assessment, a neuropsychological evaluation, a psychological evaluation, or a combination of both, understanding their differences can help you receive the most accurate diagnosis and effective treatment plan. If you have concerns that span across multiple areas, a combined approach may provide the most comprehensive understanding and support.
For more information contact or office or schedule a clinical intake with Dr. Moreland.
In some cases, a Focused Evaluation may be necessary when the goal is to measure one specific domain or to diagnose a particular condition. This targeted approach can be useful in:
A Neuropsychological Evaluation is a specialized assessment that looks at how different parts of the brain work.
A Psychological Evaluation is a comprehensive assessment that focuses on understanding a person's personality, emotional, and behavioral health.
Often, a combined approach is needed to get a comprehensive understanding of a person’s emotional/behavioral and cognitive functioning. Although each diagnosis may have unique features, they can sometimes share several overlapping symptoms, making it more complicated to differentiate them.
For example, if there are questions regarding two or more possible diagnoses that fall within the focus of both a neuropsychological (e.g., TBI, ASD, ADHD) and psychological (e.g., PTSD, personality disorder, bipolar disorder) evaluation, there is often a need for a more tailored evaluation.
Dr. Moreland’s combined approach typically starts with a comprehensive psychological evaluation and incorporates neuropsychological testing as needed. However, this can vary from case to case.
The length of psychological and neuropsychological testing can vary based on the type and scope of the evaluation being conducted. Here's what you can typically expect.
During your initial intake appointment, we will discuss the testing process in detail and provide an estimated timeline tailored to your specific needs. Our goal is to ensure a comfortable and efficient evaluation experience that provides you with the comprehensive insights you need.
****However, these timelines can vary significantly depending on the time required to obtain and review any necessary collateral data, any court-related documents, and to conduct any required collateral interviews.
While Dr. Moreland understands the urgency of these evaluations, it’s important to ensure that each step is handled with the necessary care and attention to detail, ensuring the most accurate and reliable outcome for the court.
After you read the below – please let us know if you have any questions regarding these steps or the process.
COURT-RELATED EVALUATIONS
Forensic or court-ordered evaluations are extremely comprehensive and designed to provide a complete and accurate assessment. The process involves several steps, including reviewing collateral information, reaching out to relevant contacts, conducting the evaluation itself, and performing in-depth clinical interviews. Each of these steps is crucial for ensuring that the evaluation is comprehensive and meets the court's requirements. While I understand the urgency, it's important to approach this carefully to avoid any gaps in the information that could impact the outcome. Typically, this process can take several weeks to complete. However, I'm committed to working through each step as efficiently as possible to meet the court's timeline.
Here are the steps that MUST be completed by the Client prior to the evaluation being completed:
1. Consents: Complete the intake packet and submit the retainer.
2. Upload the Court Order for the Evaluation: Send court order that stipulates the required evaluation.
3. Retainer: Once the consents are completed and we have reviewed the court order, we will send the client the retainer invoice (generally $4500). This will need to be paid prior to the evaluation being started.
4. Attorney Release: We need the release for your attorney on file. **If the client does not have an attorney, we will need a release to send the completed report to the requesting court.
5. Send Collateral Records/Releases: For court ordered evaluations Dr. Moreland generally requests the following documents and releases. Although the following requests are voluntary, considering other related records might be beneficial. While these are not necessarily required (unless specified by the court), they can significantly influence the evaluation’s thoroughness and accuracy.
Because not providing these documents could influence the court's decision to use the evaluation OR require you to obtain another evaluation, she strongly recommends consulting with an attorney or a legal advisor. Dr. Moreland strives to conduct evaluations that meets both your needs and the court. Your attorney (or other legal expert) can guide you on how sharing or withholding certain records might impact your case and help you navigate your rights and responsibilities in this process. Their advice could be crucial in protecting your interests and ensuring that the evaluation reflects your circumstances accurately and fairly.
Collateral Documents Requested: These records can be uploaded to the client portal. **If you do not have access to these records, you can submit a release for Dr. Moreland to contact these providers/organizations directly to request the documents.
Releases for Collateral Interviews:
Required Appointments and Timeline:
Evaluation: Although most evaluations can be completed in one day – these at times needs to be split into two days depending on the evaluation and client’s needs.
Intake (Clinical Interview): After all records and collateral contacts have been made a clinical interview will be scheduled.
Report: Due to the thorough nature of these evaluations, the final report is typically completed within 14-21 business days after all components of the evaluation are finished. This includes the evaluation, clinical interview, review of collateral information, conducting collateral interviews, and obtaining and reviewing any necessary records. This report can be rushed but there is a rush fee for this. If you need the report rushed please let us know. Please keep in mind the report cannot be completed prior to all of the above parts are completed.
Total Time: The entire forensic or court-ordered evaluation process generally spans 8 to 12 weeks. However, this timeline can vary based on the complexity of the case, the availability of required documentation, and scheduling factors.
TELEHEALTH (Remote) NO-SHOW/CANCELLATION POLICY
TELEHEALTH (Remote) NO SHOW/LATE CANCEL FEES:
These fees are not covered by insurance and cannot be billed through CareCredit. The payment account on file will be charged for these fees.
Dr. Moreland accepts certian Aetna Plans in CO, TX, and WA,
While she may be in network with your insurance, the coverage can vary based on your specific plan and the services you require. Before your intake appointment, you will receive an email from our billing company, ALMA, to verify your insurance information.
It's important to contact Aetna directly or review your insurance policy to understand what is covered, including any deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance that may apply.
Out of Network or No Insurance? Read more about your options here: https://ipctesting.org/insurance
After the Intake Appointment Dr. Moreland will have the information needed to determine if Insurance will cover the evaluation based on the diagnostic questions and medical necessity.
INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR EVALUATIONS: Aetna ONLY covers evaluations if it is an evaluation of a mental health diagnosis (e.g., serious psychiatric illness, alcohol and/or drug abuse), to aid in the assessment of cognitive impairment due to medical or psychiatric conditions, or when needed to enhance psychiatric or psychotherapeutic treatment outcomes. Dr. Moreland is only in-network with Aetna (for clients in CO, TX, and WA). However, she offers Super Bills as a way for the client to attempt to get reimbursed by their insurance company. To read more about this process you can visit: https://ipctesting.org/insurance
WHAT INSURANCE WILL NOT COVER: Aetna and most insurances DO NOT COVER evaluations that are for Education, Employment, Disability Qualification, or Legal/Court-Related purposes. It also does not cover “uncomplicated” evaluations for only ADHD (e.g., not combined with history of post head trauma, seizures, learning disabilities, language/communication disorders, etc.). If you believe this is incorrect, please check benefit plan descriptions and send documentation to Dr. Moreland with your specific Aetna plan coverage.
We offer 6-12 month interest deferred financing through Care Credit. You can easily apply for pre-approval at https://www.carecredit.com/go/723DSK/
Collateral Data:
Collateral data and interviews are important tools in psychology, psychiatry, and the legal system to gain a more comprehensive understanding of an individual's mental health, behavior, and life circumstances. They help professionals make more informed and objective assessments and decisions. The clinically relevant collateral data needed will depend on the diagnostic question, complexity of the case, and/or court-ordered requirements.
Corroboration: Collateral data can help corroborate or challenge the information provided by the individual being assessed. It can help determine the accuracy and consistency of the individual's self-report. In legal or clinical settings, corroboration is crucial for making accurate and reliable assessments.
Historical Context: Collateral data is particularly useful in providing a historical context. It can shed light on an individual's life experiences, relationships, behavior patterns, and any significant events that may have contributed to their current mental health or behavioral issues.
Witnessed Behavior: Collateral sources may have witnessed the individual's behavior in various settings, such as at home, school, or work. This firsthand knowledge can be crucial in understanding how the individual's issues manifest in different contexts.
Legal and Clinical Uses: Collateral data is often used in legal and clinical settings. It may be used to assess and individual's mental state or fitness to stand trial and/or aid in the diagnosis, treatment planning, and assessment of an individual's mental health and well-being.
Interview Process: Collateral interviews involve speaking with individuals who have relevant information about the person being assessed. These interviews can be conducted in person, over the phone, or through written communication, depending on the circumstances and the preferences of the collateral sources. Interviews can take anywhere from 10 minutes to two hours depending on the complexity of the case and diagnostic questions.
Telehealth uses the same testing batteries and procedures as face-to-face assessments — that have been adapted for remote evaluations. Telehealth is a clinically valid test method endorsed by test publishers and leading industry bodies. Dr. Moreland adheres to telepsychology best practice, including the American Psychological Associations guidelines. Dr. Moreland will go over the appropriateness of Telehealth with you during your intake, however, when evaluating the appropriateness of telehealth for psychological evaluations, several key factors related to the evaluee (the individual being evaluated) is considered. These factors ensure the effectiveness, reliability, and ethical standards of the telehealth service. Here are three critical considerations:
Your internet connection should be stable and fast enough to support a 2–3 hour video call. We recommend internet speeds of at least 8 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload. You can run a free internet speed test at https://speed.measurementlab.net/.
The computer must have a screen that is at least 9.7” diagonal, and it may run Windows, macOS (Apple), Linux, or Chrome OS (Chromebooks).
Yes, a parent or guardian must be available on the location during any test conducted on a minor under the age of 18. They may not be asked to be in the room, but they have to be available - at at times will be asked to participate during some of the activities.
To ensure the evaluation is tailored to specific needs, the tests used will be determined after the intake appointment. If you have any particular tests in mind that you would like to include, please let me know, and I will explore the possibility of incorporating them into the evaluation process.
Some of the tests that may be added to your evaluation include (this is not a complete or final list):
To ensure the evaluation is tailored to specific needs, the tests used will be determined after the intake appointment. If you have any particular tests in mind that you would like to include, please let me know, and I will explore the possibility of incorporating them into the evaluation process.
Some of the tests that may be added to your evaluation include (this is not a complete or final list):
Explaining psychological testing to a child in an age-appropriate and reassuring manner is important to help them understand the process. Here's a simplified way to explain it:
This day will be all about playing games and answering questions to help us learn more about you and how your brain works. You will be asked to do different activities, such as solving puzzles, drawing pictures, and answering questions. These activities are designed to help the us understand how you think, learn, and feel.
Remember, they are not trying to judge you or find right or wrong answers. They simply want to understand you better so they can help you in the best possible way.
It may take some time, maybe a few hours or a couple of days, depending on the activities. It's important to stay relaxed and take breaks when you need them. You can ask for breaks if you feel tired or need some time to rest.
You can also ask questions if you don't understand something or feel unsure about anything. They are there to help and support you throughout the process.
After it is done, they look at all the information and help us come up with some ideas and recommendations to help you with anything you might need.
Remember, this is done to understand you better and find ways to support you. It's okay to feel a little nervous or curious but know that everyone involved wants the best for you.
Adapt the explanation based on the child's age, using simpler language for younger children and more detailed explanations for older children. Encourage the child to ask questions and address any concerns they might have.
PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION:
During a psychological evaluation Dr. Moreland gathers information about how the child is feeling and behaving. It also helps her understand what they're good at and where they might need some extra help. This information can be really useful for figuring out how the child can be better supported at school, home, with their peers, or in other settings.
In addition, the results are often used by other providers, such as therapist and medical doctors, to help them create personalized and unique treatment plans – and by schools to help create learning environments that works best for the child.
Here are some ways a psychological evaluation can be helpful for a child/adolescent:
Building Strengths: It can show strengths and talents, which can help the child feel proud of themselves and teach others how these strengths can be used to create more success.
Personalized Treatment: It can help everyone (such as caregivers, teachers, therapists, and other providers) better understand the child's specific needs and challenges. This information can help with treatment planning and support.
Academic Support: It can provide information about how the child learn best. This can help caregivers, teachers, and school staff create effective learning strategies and accommodations in the classroom.
Behavioral Strategies: It can help with answering the Magic Question, “Why are they behaving a certain way?” This can help with coming up with ways to help them manage their behavior more effectively.
Improving Skills: It can help with understanding more about where the child may need extra support, like managing emotions, behaviors, or friendships. This information can be used to help keep the focus on what is most important.
Emotional Well-being: It can help with understanding how they feel, and what may be causing them to feel angry, stressed, sad, or worried. This information can us figure out what the right support is and what may help them feel better.
During the evaluation process:
Caregiver Interviews: After the consent forms are received, Dr. Moreland will send all caregivers an information packet and invite them to schedule a clinical interview with her. These interviews are usually held without the child present and are separate from the evaluation.
During the interview Dr. Moreland will ask questions about the child’s history, their current life, their strengths and what they find difficult, and about how the evaluation can be helpful. Because this information is so important, Dr. Moreland has to meet with at least one caregiver, before the evaluation.
Although Dr. Moreland does not have to meet with more than one caregiver, we will invite each caregiver to schedule an interview with her.
Evaluation: After the parent interview, Dr. Moreland will schedule a time to meet with the child. All evaluations are tailored to the child’s specific needs and the psychological tests and questions are chosen to help with understanding them better.
Collateral Contact: When needed, Dr. Moreland may ask for more information, and with signed permission, contact other people who are important to the child's well-being for more information, such as teachers, therapists, doctors, other treatment providers, GALs, and caseworkers.
Additional information is often received from rating scales, the client portal, fax, email, mail, or by scheduled phone calls.
Reports: Dr. Moreland offers different types of reports ranging from short letters to longer more detailed reports. Any report or letter completed, will be sent to each caregiver. Reports are typically sent within 14 business days after the end of the evaluation.
Verbal Feedback (OPTIONAL): When the reports are done, feedback appointments are available. Even though a written report may have been sent, this can be a great way to understand the results and recommendations even better. During the appointment, Dr. Moreland is able to go through the report with you and answer questions you may have about the results or recommendations.
Psychology Today (psychologytoday.com) is a widely used online platform that connects individuals with mental health professionals. Here are recommendations on how to efficiently use the system to find a provider based on specialty, age of the client, and insurance:
1. Navigate to Psychology Today: Visit the Psychology Today website (psychologytoday.com) to begin your search for mental health providers.
2. Use Search Filters: Utilize the search filters on the Psychology Today homepage. Specify the location, preferred specialty, age group (child, adolescent, adult), and insurance (if applicable).
5. Compose an Email Template: Draft a concise and informative email template introducing yourself or the client (if applicable). Include basic information such as the age of the client, the preferred mode of therapy (in-person or telehealth), and specific areas of concern or treatment goals.
6. Send Emails to Multiple Therapists: Copy and paste the email template into individual emails and send them to multiple therapists from your list. This initial outreach helps gauge therapist availability and interest in working with the client.
7. Wait for Responses: Allow some time for therapists to respond. Be patient, as not all therapists may have immediate availability.
8. Review Responses: Once responses are received, review them to identify therapists who have availability and are a good match based on your criteria.
3. Review Provider Profiles: Browse through the profiles of therapists that match your criteria. Pay attention to their specialties, treatment approaches, and any additional information provided.
9. Involve the Client (if applicable): If the client, especially a child or adolescent, is involved in the decision-making process, wait until you have narrowed down the list to a manageable number of therapists before sharing it with them.
10. Choose the Best Fit: Based on responses and further research, choose the therapist who best fits your needs and preferences.
11. Contact Chosen Therapist: Reach out to the selected therapist to schedule an initial consultation or appointment. Confirm details such as fees, availability, and any additional information needed for the first session.
Keep in mind that finding the right therapist may require some time and communication, but the process outlined above can streamline the search and increase the likelihood of finding a suitable match.
If you have ANY issues with finding a therapist just reach out to me and I will do some digging on my end! Click the below link if you need help!
Copyright © 2024 Integrated Psychological Connections - All Rights Reserved.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.