Georgia Psych

PATIENT PORTAL
PATIENT PORTAL
  • Phone•706.364.4599
  • Fax•706-364-4589
Menu

Evaluation

PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATIONS

Comprehensive Psychological Evaluations and Assessments

Accurate assessment is a crucial first step in diagnosis for you or your loved one. With an accurate diagnosis, the most appropriate treatment can be selected. We gather information through a collaborative clinical interview, relevant background information, previous records, behavioral observations and advanced psychological testing. With that information, we perform a detailed analysis of your psychological symptoms, generate appropriate treatment recommendations, and deliver the information to you in a detailed report and a feedback meeting.

Psychological Evaluations for Learning and Intellectual Functioning

Intellectual testing can yield information about general intelligence, verbal ability, perceptual ability, processing speed, and memory. Academic testing can help determine the presence of a learning disability in areas such as mathematics, reading, and written expression. The results of testing can help determine the need for special accommodations in the classroom or work setting. Results can reveal personal strengths and weaknesses, and might suggest the potential for advancement and promotion in the workplace or advanced/gifted placement classes for students.

Psychological Evaluations for ADHD

You might suspect that you or your child has symptoms of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). It is important for a psychologist to rule out alternate explanations for inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior. Alternate explanations include intellectual deficits, learning disabilities, behavioral problems, and emotional symptoms such as anxiety and depression. A comprehensive test battery, including tests designed specifically to assess ADHD, helps us identify what underlies the symptoms. Our results help doctors and patients determine whether medication is an appropriate treatment strategy, and whether behavioral approaches and counseling are necessary.

Psychological Evaluations for Autism Spectrum Disorders

By gathering information in several different ways, we can identify the presence of a neurodevelopmental disorder such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, which now includes the former Asperger’s Disorder. In diagnosing children we will engage in one-on-one interaction, an in-depth clinical interview with the parent, cognitive testing, and testing designed specifically to detect the presence of symptoms and estimate the likelihood of an Autism Spectrum Disorder. We offer therapy, behavior planning, and social skills training for children, teenagers, and adults who have Autism symptoms.

Psychological Evaluations for Behavioral and Emotional Disorders

Children and adults experience emotional distress and disturbances in behavior for a number of reasons. When the reasons for the symptoms are unclear, a psychological evaluation can help. We can determine whether children’s behavior at home and school is within reasonable limits or whether there is cause for concern. The results of a diagnostic evaluation can help clarify the nature and origin of oppositional and defiant behavior and more serious conduct problems. Symptoms might be explained by an ADHD diagnosis or might constitute a separate behavioral or emotional disorder. For adults and teenagers, we can help clarify symptoms of anxiety, depression, trauma, bipolar disorder and other mental health conditions. We will estimate which diagnoses are primary vs. secondary and how the diagnoses interact and overlap.

Psychological Evaluations for Personality and Social Functioning

Stable character traits, personality patterns, and social functioning emerge in the mid-to-late teens and early adult years. People are often curious about these patterns, and seek to understand and enhance them in the interest of personal growth. Others recognize a distinct problem with their personal or social functioning and seek individual and group psychotherapy to help understand and change their patterns of emotional reactivity and behavior. A comprehensive personality assessment helps provide the necessary insight and direction. 

Psychological Evaluations for Surgery Readiness

A psychological evaluation is commonly required to determine whether surgery is an appropriate option.  We conduct evaluations to assess readiness for bariatric (weight loss) surgery and pain alleviation surgery such as spinal cord stimulators. Your surgeon will refer you to us for evaluation, which usually is conducted in a single appointment.