Psychological Testing at Morningside Recovery
A testing battery at Morningside Recovery consists of various psychological tests (projective and objective), which help in diagnosis and treatment planning. The testing is conducted at Morningside Recovery under the supervision of one of our clinical psychologists. The testing process often takes many days to administer, after which a psychological report is generated for clinical use and it is reviewed with the patient and the patient’s parents. The cost of a psychological battery at Morningside Recovery is offered at the reduced cost of $1200 per battery. Similar testing batteries at other facilities, or by independent clinical psychologists are often much more costly. We advise all clients who have not had a previous psychological battery done to take advantage of this new service offered at Morningisde.
What are psychological tests?
Psychological tests offer a formal way to measure traits, feelings, beliefs and abilities that can lead to people’s problems. Some tests assess the presence of certain conditions, such as depression, anxiety, anger control or susceptibility to stress. Other tests measure general well being and provide an overall picture of a person’s personality. A typical psychological assessment includes an interview with a mental health practitioner and one or more formal psychological tests. The person may be able to complete some tests on his own; others may be completed with an examiner.
Upon a referral for psychological testing, one should recognize that the intent is to gain a deeper, more complete understanding of the problem than can be gained from a brief office visit. Such a referral does not mean that the problem is particularly serious, difficult to understand or complex. It just means that additional information is needed before designing the best approach to address the problem.
Intelligence (I.Q.)
Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (3rd Edition) - WAIS-III
The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale or WAIS is a general test of intelligence (IQ), published in February 1955 as a revision of the Wechsler-Bellevue test (1939), standardized for use with adults over the age of 16. Intelligence is quantified as the global capacity of the individual to act purposefully, to think rationally, and to deal effectively with the environment.
Career
CAI™ (Enhanced Version)
Career Assessment Inventory™ - Enhanced Version
This is the enhanced version of the Career Assessment Inventory which is an occupational interest survey concentrating on careers requiring junior college or trade school instruction. The Enhanced Version of the Career Assessment Inventory focuses on both college-bound individuals and professionals. It includes some of today’s fastest growing professional occupations.
Personality
Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory™ - MMPI-2
The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) is one of the most frequently used personality tests in the mental health fields. This assessment, or test, was designed to help identify personal, social, and behavioral problems in psychiatric patients. The test helps provide relevant information to aid in problem identification, diagnosis, and treatment planning for the patient.
The Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) provides information relevant for clinical diagnosis, treatment planning and screening for psychopathology. The PAI covers constructs most relevant to a broad-based assessment of mental disorders.
Neuropsychological
Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS)
This third edition updates the WMS-R and provides subtest and composite scores that assess memory and attention functions using both auditory and visual stimuli. There are now eight Primary Indexes (Auditory Immediate (was Verbal), Visual Immediate (was Visual), Immediate Memory (new), Auditory Delayed (new), Visual Delayed (new), Auditory Reception Delayed (new), General Memory (only delayed subtest scores), and Working Memory), which constitute Immediate Memory, General (Delayed) Memory, and Working Memory (was Attention/Concentration). This edition retains the index score configuration of the WMS-R, but scale content, administration and scoring procedures have been changed. There is one slight change to the optional Information and Orientation subtest and one item has been deleted and six items added to the Mental Control subtest. The Figural Memory, Visual Paired Associated, and card B of Visual Reproduction subtests have been dropped. There are slight wording and administration changes in Logical Memory, and added subtests help to assess various aspects of visual memory. Requires strict and discreet timing for certain subtests.
The Bender Gestalt Test, or the Bender Visual Motor Gestalt Test, is a psychological assessment instrument used to evaluate visual-motor functioning and visual perception skills in both children and adults. Scores on the test are used to identify possible organic brain damage and the degree maturation of the nervous system. The Bender Gestalt was developed by psychiatrist Lauretta Bender in the late nineteenth century. The Bender Gestalt Test is used to evaluate visual maturity, visual motor integration skills, style of responding, reaction to frustration, ability to correct mistakes, planning and organizational skills, and motivation. Copying figures requires fine motor skills, the ability to discriminate between visual stimuli, the capacity to integrate visual skills with motor skills, and the ability to shift attention from the original design to what is being drawn.
The Stroop Task is a psychological test of our mental (attentional) vitality and flexibility. The task takes advantage of our ability to read words more quickly and automatically than we can name colors. If a word is printed or displayed in a color different from the color it actually names; for example, if the word "green" is written in blue ink (as shown in the figure to the left) we will say the word "green" more readily than we can name the color in which it is displayed, which in this case is "blue."
ADHD
The T.O.V.A is a 22.5 minute computerized assessment (visual or auditory) which in conjunction with teacher and parent behavior rating scales, is a highly effective screening tool for ADD. It is non language based (to differentiate ADD from learning disorders), requires no left-right discrimination, and has negligible practice effects.
Brown Attention-Deficit Disorder Scales for Adolescents and Adults
This assessment is used to obtain a consistent measure of ADD across the life span. Based on Thomas Brown's cutting-edge model of cognitive impairment in ADD, the Brown ADD Scales explore the executive cognitive functioning aspects of cognition associated with AD/HD (ADD).
Projective Personality Tests
Sentence Completion Test – A projective written test that asks the patient to complete sentences such as, “I get really angry…”
The Rorschach - The Rorschach inkblot test is a method of psychological evaluation. Psychologists use this test to try to examine the personality characteristics and emotional functioning of their patients. The Rorschach is currently the second most commonly used test in forensic assessment, after the MMPI, and is the second most widely used test by members of the Society for Personality Assessment. It has been employed in diagnosing underlying thought disorder and differentiating psychotic from nonpsychotic thinking in cases where the patient is reluctant to openly admit to psychotic thinking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is qualified to perform psychological testing?
Licensed clinical psychologists, counseling psychologists and school psychologists are typically qualified to perform psychological assessments. The activity of these professionals is regulated by appropriate state statutes and licensing boards. It is wise to check to make sure the assessing professional is licensed. If in doubt, ask the professional to describe her qualifications to perform the evaluation.
How are the results of a psychological evaluation shared with the referring doctor or the patient?
After an evaluation, the results are scored and interpreted and a formal report is usually written. This report is then sent to the referring professional. Some psychologists may also have a discussion with the referring doctor to facilitate understanding of results. The referring doctor usually decides if, and how, the results will be communicated to the patient. In some cases, the referring doctor will ask the psychologist who performed the evaluation to discuss the results with the patient in a feedback session. In all cases, the patient is entitled to an explanation of results in language that he can understand.
Should the latest versions of psychological tests always be used in assessment?
Because the practice of psychological assessment has a long history, many of the tests in current use have gone through several revisions. In general, appropriate practice dictates that the most current versions of these tests should be used. In some cases, however, earlier versions may be used if the professional wants to compare current results with those obtained on an evaluation conducted much earlier in the person’s life.
Is the patient allowed to see the results of her psychological assessment?
Every patient is entitled to a clear explanation of the results of psychological testing. Depending on the individual situation, it may be better simply to discuss the results rather than give the report. The doctor or mental health professional should be consulted about the results and about the best ways a patient can learn about them.
Who has access to assessment results?
In most cases, the results are sent to the referring doctor or agency requesting the evaluation. If an insurance company pays for the assessment cost, a review doctor or nurse working for the company also has a right to see the report. Otherwise, the report will be released to third parties only with the patient’s written permission, and there are strict rules of confidentiality that are followed. Be aware that there may be some circumstances (e.g., court-ordered psychological evaluation) where the rules of confidentiality do not apply. It is wise to clarify who will have access to the results of the evaluation before beginning.
Psychological tests may be able to describe my current situation, but how good are they at predicting behavior?
Psychological and neuropsychological tests can predict general trends and behaviors, but are not designed to predict future actions, thoughts, feelings or behaviors. For example, the ability of psychological tests to predict violence or suicide is limited, though suspicion might be raised by specific test findings. Such predictions are improved by establishing an ongoing relationship with a professional over a longer period of time.
How accurate are the results of my assessment?
Most psychological and neuropsychological tests are reasonably accurate within a specified range. Each test is subject to measurement error, and the size of such errors is known through test development research. Thus, though a specific IQ or depression score is obtained, a "true" score should be thought of as falling close to the measured score. Many psychological assessments contain more than one measure of the same ability or personality trait. If the measures agree, more confidence can be placed in the results. A discussion of the issue of accuracy and stability of the test results with the professional who conducts the assessment is important.
How much do psychological assessments cost?
Psychologists and other mental health professionals usually charge on a per-hour basis for psychological and neuropsychological testing. Tests that do not require a lot of face-to-face effort on the part of the professional (e.g., questionnaires that a patient completes by herself) are less expensive than those the psychologist must administer. The per-hour fee varies widely depending upon the setting. It makes sense to determine beforehand what the estimated total cost of the evaluation (including report and whether feedback session is included) will be.
