There have always been qualified professionals who provide online psych evaluation services. However, during COVID-19, that number expanded since people continued to need the service even though in-person evaluations were not always possible. We quickly saw how a psych eval online could be as valid, reliable, and effective as in-person testing under the right circumstances and with the right training. Our virtual psychological testing services started then, and we’ve refined the online psych assessment service since. Advancements in technology have allowed for the development of sophisticated virtual assessment tools that can measure various aspects of mental health. These online psychological evaluation tools provide accurate and detailed insights into an individual’s well-being in ways not possible in years past.
Online Psych Evaluation Post Overview
In this post, we discuss the advantages of an online psych evaluation, with some important caveats at the end. If you have any questions about how we might help you or a loved one or general questions about an online psychological evaluation, please feel free to contact us anytime or schedule a consultation.
Online Psych Evaluation Pros
These services offer several advantages compared to traditional in-person assessments. Here are some of the key benefits of an online psych evaluation:
Online Psych Evaluation Accessibility
Online evaluations make mental health assessments more accessible to individuals who may face barriers such as physical disabilities, transportation issues, or geographical distance. This allows more people to seek and receive evaluations and allows us to serve people in more geographical areas. Fewer psychologists may provide virtual testing, or the best match might not exist. We are licensed to provide virtual psych evaluations in 40 states.
Convenience of Online Psych Evaluations
You can complete the psych eval online from the comfort of your own home. This eliminates the need for travel and reduces the time commitment associated with in-person assessments. This convenience is very important with testing. Some tests used to take hours in the office to complete. It also allows you to complete some testing when you feel energized and ready instead of at a prescribed time. An online psych evaluation can be a perfect fit for parents who need to check in with their children. They also work well for people at work who can only do the testing at certain intervals or students who do them around a busy class schedule.
Anonymity and Privacy
Virtual evaluations can provide anonymity. They allow you to share your thoughts and feelings without fear of being recognized, judged, or overheard. This can contribute to more honest and open responses, leading to a more accurate assessment of one’s mental health.
Online Psych Evaluation Flexible Scheduling
An online psych assessment often allows for flexible scheduling. This lets you choose a time that suits your preferences and daily routines. This flexibility can benefit those with busy schedules or other commitments. For example, we test college students around their busy class schedules and working people during lunchtime breaks.
Cost-Effectiveness of the Online Psych Assessment
These assessments are more cost-effective for clients and us. Virtual platforms have fewer overhead costs; thus, you’ll likely find our prices lower than in-person evaluations. There is no difference in the time we’ll spend on your evaluation.
Caveats with Online Psych Evaluations
It’s important to note that while online psychological evaluations have these advantages, they may not be suitable for everyone. Certain conditions or situations may require in-person assessments, and the choice between virtual and in-person evaluations should be based on individual needs and circumstances. For example:
Online Psych Evaluation Disruption
Problems with the internet or power can disrupt an online psychological evaluation. While in most cases, this means taking a pause and resuming testing when the problem clears, there are some cases where a test was being timed, and we’d need to start over. Usually, these problems are inconvenient and take longer than expected to be tested.
Online Psych Evaluation Test Choices
Before starting your online psych evaluation, we will review each test and the alternatives if we were to see you in person. In most cases, the virtual tests match the in-person ones regarding validity, reliability, and depth of results. However, sometimes, there are slight differences in what they measure and the conclusions that can be reached, and we’ll make sure you are comfortable with that.
Comfort with Virtual Testing
The most important caveat regarding online psych evaluation services is that you must ensure you are comfortable with this type of administration. Given the added convenience, many people are actually more comfortable this way, but for some, an in-person connection is preferred. We respect that and will ensure you understand all the pros and cons before we start.
Online Psych Assessment Process
The process of online psych evaluations can vary depending on your needs and hopes, but here is a general overview of what the process typically 
involves:
Psych Eval Online Registration
You’ll start the psych eval online by creating an account on our platform. This involves providing basic personal information, creating login credentials, letting us know what you hope to learn from testing, and any previous testing you’ve had. We want to ensure that an online psych evaluation is the right path and that we are a good match for the services we can provide virtually.
Online Psych Evaluation Informed Consent
We’ll ask you to review and agree to the terms and privacy policies of the online psychological evaluation service. Informed consent will include information about how the evaluation results will be used and stored. Before we start, it’s important that you fully understand what to expect and the results you’ll get from an online psych evaluation. At this stage, we’ll be available for any questions. We’ll also ensure you understand how we prioritize the privacy and security of your data. This includes secure transmission of information, data encryption, and compliance with relevant privacy regulations.
Tests for an Online Psych Assessment
Online psychological evaluations involve completing various questionnaires and assessments. These cover a range of mental health aspects, including mood, anxiety, Personality evaluation, and specific symptoms. You can search our blog by symptom areas and diagnoses to better understand what is involved with this step.
Feedback and Results
Once you have finished the psych eval online, we’ll give any immediate feedback we can. However, in-depth information must wait for the results to be interpreted and written in a testing report. This feedback will provide recommendations for further actions, such as seeking professional help, joining support groups, or engaging in specific interventions. With your permission, we’ll occasionally involve specialists who can review the results and provide additional insights or recommendations.
The entire online psychological evaluation process usually takes around a month, shorter or longer, depending on the type of assessment and whether we decide that additional testing will help ensure we answer your questions. We can also provide follow-up testing at certain intervals to see if the accommodations or interventions you put in place due to the initial testing are working.
Results of a Psych Eval Online
The results of a psych eval online can vary widely depending on the questions you come in with and the tests you choose. Results from an online psych assessment might include:
- Personality traits: An online psych assessment often provides insights into your personality characteristics, such as introversion/extroversion, openness, conscientiousness, agreeableness, and neuroticism. This exploration goes well beyond labels – it gives you an in-depth and personalized exploration.
- Mental health concerns: A psych eval online may assess for symptoms of various mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and more. Again, the results will go well beyond a yes/no of whether you meet the criteria for a diagnosis and explore the unique aspects of your symptoms and possibly where they come from
- Cognitive functioning: Sometimes, an online psych assessment measures cognitive abilities such as memory, attention, problem-solving skills, and intelligence.
- Specific Recommendations: Recommendations are provided based on the purpose of the online psych evaluation and the results obtained. These could include suggestions for therapy, further evaluation, lifestyle changes, or strategies for coping with specific challenges.
Online Psychological Evaluation Case Example
Alex, a 19-year-old college sophomore, was self-referred due to academic struggles, poor focus, and difficulty completing assignments. He reported worsening concentration during classes and procrastination on tasks. He suspects ADHD but has never been formally evaluated. Given that he has not been able to find a provider near his campus and that he prefers a virtual format, he decided to have a psych eval online with us.
Online Psychological Evaluation Process
- Pre-Evaluation Screening:
- Tools Used: Assessment intake forms via a secure portal (e.g., Google Forms encrypted or specialized platforms).
- Focus: We want to collect his history of academic performance, mental health, and any family history.
- Notable findings: History of disorganization, procrastination, frequent late submissions.
- Family history: His parent was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult.
- Clinical Interview (Virtual):
- He discussed current struggles (e.g., inability to focus on lectures, avoiding reading tasks).
- We explored symptoms like restlessness, impulsivity, and chronic lateness.
- We briefly assessed mood and anxiety (co-occurring conditions).
- Alex reported that these difficulties had existed since middle school but intensified in college.
- Standardized Testing:
- Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS-S):
- Results indicated high scores for inattention and moderate scores for hyperactivity.
- WAIS-IV Subtests (Digit Span, Processing Speed):
- Performance confirmed significant deficits in working memory and processing speed.
- Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI): Mild anxiety symptoms detected.
- Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS-S):
- Behavioral Observations:
- Alex appeared fidgety, frequently lost track of thoughts, and requested breaks.
- Observed poor organization of thought during tasks requiring sustained attention.
Online Psych Assessment Diagnostic Impressions
- Primary Diagnosis: The online psychological evaluation revealed that Alex has Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Predominantly Inattentive Type (DSM-5).
- Secondary Observations: He also has mild anxiety caused by ADHD symptoms may exacerbate academic challenges. The anxiety and ADHD are likely interwoven.
Online Psych Evaluation Recommendations
- College Accommodations:
- Extended deadlines for assignments.
- Access to lecture recordings to review content.
- Extended test-taking time in a low-distraction environment.
- Psychological Support:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy for ADHD (CBT) for anxiety and task management skills.
- Executive Function Coaching:
- Weekly sessions to improve time management, planning, and prioritizing academic tasks.
- Natural ADHD Treatment
- Referral to a nutritionist, meditation/mindfulness app, and sleep specialist.
Follow-Up Plan
- Scheduled a follow-up session in 1 month to assess progress and adjust accommodations/support.
- Reassess college accommodations each spring.
- Assess the need for work accommodations before he starts his summer internship.
This example of an online psychological evaluation outlines how we conduct these remotely, leveraging telehealth platforms and digital testing tools. It highlights how we address ADHD concerns while integrating technology, observation, and standardized measures to comprehensively understand our client’s needs.
Summary and Our Practice
A psych eval online can be as powerful and effective as an in-person assessment. We can choose from many valid and reliable tests for this type of assessment. You do have to ensure that you are fully comfortable with virtual testing, and we’ll ensure that the questions you want answered can be effectively addressed through an online psych assessment. You have taken an excellent first step by becoming educated about this type of evaluation. If this all seems like a good route for you, please feel free to schedule a consultation.
Virtual Testing in Our Practice
We prioritize the ethical use of technology and the protection of privacy in our implementation of online psych evaluation services. Given your unique questions and hopes, we will make sure to explain the positives and drawbacks of online testing clearly. We can refer you to a qualified provider if you need or desire in-person testing instead of having a psych eval online. Sometimes, we may even be able to split the work, with someone close to your location doing the parts that have to be done in person while we still do the majority of testing.
If you are referring your child for a psych eval online, we will go over the specific benefits and limitations of service delivery this way, but in brief, you’ll have to make sure you are there to supervise and help your child complete the tasks. An Online psych assessment is likely not possible for children under ten years old, and even for some older children, we’ll make sure we feel like you would not be better off having the testing done in person.
Please feel free to contact us anytime or schedule a consultation if you want to learn more about our online psych evaluation services and how they might benefit you.
