A comprehensive psychological assessment includes norm-referenced tests, interviews, observations, and informal testing to understand underlying concerns affecting behavior. Conducted by trained clinicians, the assessment process often requires multiple appointments and may involve input from family members. Collectively, the gathered information helps create holistic recommendations to improve client functioning.

1. What areThe Essential
Components of a Psychological
Assessment?
A comprehensive psychological evaluation involves a combination of
assessment tools that are designed to understand the source of underlying
concerns affecting behavior. Psychological assessments are conducted by
knowledgeable and skilled clinicians who are trained to understand and
interpret the results. Often the process takes several appointments and may
involve several different kinds of tests designed to understand the underlying
features of a condition.
Four essential components of psychological assessment:
Norm-referenced tests: The tests that psychologists use are norm-referenced
which means that they were designed and calibrated based upon data collected
from a wide variety of individuals and are therefore less likely to produced
bias results. There are several different kinds of tests that all assess a different
element of mental health and cognitive functioning. When the results are
viewed collectively, holistic recommendations can be made to help the client
improve overall functioning.

2.  Interviews: Many assessment protocols first involve a comprehensive
interview whereby the clinician asks the client questions about their history
and current symptoms to better understand the goals and objectives of the
assessment process. Also, in some cases parents, partners, and teachers may
be asked questions (following the approval of the client) to further support
the information collected in the interview process.
 Observations: Often the assessment process involves direct observation of
behavior in a particular setting to better understand the nature of the
presenting concern. This is especially true when evaluating children who are
often not able to describe their concerns effectively.
 Informal testing: In some cases, in addition to norm-referenced tests,
psychologists may also use questionnaires or other measures to add support
to their findings. This data is useful to fill in the gaps that may exist in the
testing process.


3. For more information
Please call our office at :323-345-
1402
Or
Email us at: admin@vobh.org
www.vobh.org
Claremont, CA
location: 1490 N. Claremont
Blvd. Suite 204 Claremont,
CA 91711
Verdant Oak Behavioral
Health, Inc.
1151 El Centro St, Suite B
South Pasadena,CA 91030