Other Testing

Psychological Testing for Depression, Anxiety and Other Problems

In the Harry Potter book, “Order of the Phoenix” Harry says to his godfather – Sirius – “I just feel so angry all the time.” Harry feels helpless; he has become increasingly angry and doesn’t know why he feels this way or what he can do about it. Does this sound familiar? Maybe things set you off easily and you can’t understand why you (or your child) overreact to them. It can be a helpless – and even hopeless – feeling when your emotions get the best of you. And it gets really confusing when feelings “swing” to the opposite extreme and you feel “on top of the world” – as if you’re Midas with the golden touch…“Everything will work out the way I want it to.” The energy surge that accompanies these emotional states can be quite intoxicating. As good as this may sound, however, problems – whether school, work, legal or relationship problems – are bound to occur and getting off the “emotional roller coaster” may be proving harder than you think.

Anger, helplessness and hopelessness might not be your issue. Perhaps it’s a feeling of dread about things that are going to happen or guilt, shame or anxiety about things that have already happened. Having to live with these feelings day-in and day-out can be exhausting and discouraging, which oftentimes motivate people to relieve their misery – sometimes through artificial means (e.g., alcohol, drugs) and in other cases through lethal means (e.g., overdose, gun). When you (or your child) are in so much distress it’s hard to believe there are ways to feel better without resorting to these methods – but there are…there IS hope!

Why now?

What’s happened that made you decide now is the time to be evaluated for an emotional or behavioral problem? Maybe you’ve been feeling awful for months – or even years – and decided that “enough is enough” and told yourself, “OK. Let’s do this already!” Perhaps something happened in which you reached your breaking point – whether it’s something pertaining to you or your child. Feeling overwhelmed, anxious, out-of-control or helpless – like you (or your child) are going to have a “nervous breakdown” or are heading in that direction – are all good reasons to find out what’s wrong and what can be done about it.

What’s involved in being evaluated for an emotional or behavioral problem?

The nice thing about having me evaluate you (or your child) for an emotional or behavioral problem is that it’s a simple and quick process – meaning one appointment – that’s it! Here’s what’s involved:

1. I will send you the registration and history forms, which you will complete and bring to your appointment (or e-mail to me if you reside far away from Murfreesboro/out of state). If I am evaluating your child, then – with your permission – I will contact their teacher so they can provide me with information regarding their perceptions of your child in the classroom.
2. Appointment day:
   • Testing in the office: If you are in driving distance of Murfreesboro then I will meet with you at my private practice office.
   • Telehealth testing: If you are an adult who lives far away from Murfreesboro/in a different state I will meet with you online using a secure videoconferencing app.

   Here’s what will happen: I will interview you (or you and your child) – meaning that I will ask you what’s been happening that made you decide to be evaluated for an emotional or behavioral problem and find out about your background (i.e., family and school history; emotional, thinking and behavioral challenges; relationship history; health status; interests & hobbies). Then I will have you take a series of psychological tests – most of which involve completing questionnaires pertaining to your mental health. (If I evaluate your child then you and your child will both complete questionnaires.) The appointment normally lasts 2 to 2 ½ hours. I will review my preliminary findings with you (or you and your child) at the end of the appointment.

3. Three to five days later I will upload your report to a secure/encrypted website and e-mail you directions on how to access it. The report will include the background information; my observations of you (or your child) during the interview and test session; test results; and summary, diagnosis and treatment plan (which is just a fancy way of saying recommendations or strategies to help you address the problems that brought you or your child in for the appointment).
4. If I believe medication is in your (or your child’s) best interest then I will fax a copy of the report to your doctor IF you decide you want to go this route. If not, then that’s not a problem as I always include several pages worth of recommendations that can help you manage your (or your child’s) symptoms and behaviors. (Note: I don’t always recommend medication; it all depends on the nature and severity of the symptoms.)

So…what are you waiting for? Give me a call at (615) 403-5227 to get the ball rolling. I am authorized to evaluate clients in most states through my PSYPACT credential (https://psypact.gov/mpage/psypactmap).  You’re an assessment away from a brighter tomorrow! : )