We offer a low-cost psychological screening test for those unsure if psychological testing will benefit them or if they want to narrow their choices regarding the testing we might do. Our psychological screening tools are fully validated, effective, and do not take long to administer. We can also provide a mental health screening, often referred to as a “mental health checkup,” for anyone looking for a one-time look at their current functioning and state of mind. If you would like to learn more about what a psych screening might do for you, please feel free to contact us or schedule a consultation anytime.
Psychological Screening Test Process 
The psychological screening test process uses a systematic method used to identify mental health concerns, emotional challenges, or personality traits. It is often the first step in diagnosing and developing treatment plans. Here’s an overview of how the psych screening process typically works:
1. Purpose of Psych Screening
We initially make sure that the goal of your psychological screening test is something we are equipped to help with, such as:
- Identify early signs of mental health conditions (e.g., depression, anxiety, ADHD).
- Evaluate mental wellness and behavior and assess cognitive functioning.
- Inform further assessments, diagnoses, and treatment plans.
- Assess your functioning in specific settings, like schools, workplaces, or clinics.
We choose psychological screening tools you can often do independently and share the results with us. Once we know your reason for the psych screening – what you hope to learn more about – we’ll assign the tools that fit.
2. Psychological Screening Test Assessment
Step 1: Psych Screening Initial Consultation
- We conduct an initial interview to understand what you hope to learn from the psych screening.
- The type of background information we collect includes:
- Current and recent symptoms and your history of challenges
- Personal and family history of mental health issues
- Social, occupational, and medical factors, such as any hopes for workplace accommodations
Step 2: Selection of Psychological Screening Tools
- We then choose psychological screening tools tailored to your specific concern.
- Psychological screening tools could include:
- Self-report questionnaires: PHQ-9 to assess depression, GAD-7 to test for anxiety, or ASRS for ADHD.
- Observation-based tools: These are conducted in our interview with you or filled out by people who know you well. This might include a therapist.
- Structured interviews: e.g., SCID-5 (Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5).
Step 3: Administration of Psychological Screening Tools
- Tools are administered either as:
- Self-assessments (completed by you, often at home).
- Clinician-administered assessments (completed with our professional guidance).
- Examples of formats:
- Written questionnaires
- Online tests
- Verbal interviews
Step 4: Scoring and Interpretation
- Results are scored to measure the type and severity of symptoms.
- We interpret the scores to assess whether:
- Further and more comprehensive psychological evaluation would be helpful
- Testing for work or school accommodations is needed
- Specific interventions would be helpful
- Symptoms require immediate intervention.
Step 5: Psych Screening Feedback and Recommendations
- We always share the psych screening results with you
- Recommendations may include:
- Further diagnostic testing for confirmation.
- Referral to specialists (e.g., psychologists, psychiatrists, or neurologists).
- Treatment options (e.g., therapy, medication).
- Holistic approaches (e.g., self-help, lifestyle changes)
- Identification of strengths and opportunities to express them
3. Key Psychological Screening Test Tools
- Depression and Anxiety: PHQ-9, GAD-7, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).
- ADHD: Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS), Conners Rating Scale.
- Trauma: PTSD Checklist (PCL-5), Impact of Event Scale (IES-R).
- Autism: Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ), M-CHAT.
- Cognition: Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA).
4. Post-Screening Steps
- If results suggest a concern, a comprehensive evaluation is scheduled.
- A full psychological evaluation may include:
- In-depth clinical interviews
- Psychological testing (e.g., IQ tests, personality tests, specialty psychological testing)
- Behavioral observations
- Treatment plans are developed based on the diagnosis.
Psychological Screening Tools Overview
Psychological screening tools often evaluate mental health symptoms, identify concerns, or assess personality and cognitive functioning. Here’s an overview based on categories:
Personality Screening Tools
A full personality evaluation can help you gain a deep understanding of many facets of your internal functioning, social relationships, and decision-making. A personality screening beforehand can also help us determine what tests to use.
- Big Five Personality Test (OCEAN)
It measures five traits: Openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. - Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
Assesses personality types based on preferences like introversion/extroversion. - Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)
Used for clinical and diagnostic purposes, assessing personality and psychopathology. - Enneagram Test
Categorizes individuals into 9 personality types based on motivations and fears.
2. Mental Health Screening Tools
We offer comprehensive testing to explore mental health, including testing to determine whether you meet the criteria for a full diagnosis, what interventions may help, and how you can overcome your symptoms. First, a psychological screening test can help us design the best battery of assessments for you. For this we may use:
- Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)
- Assesses for the presence of depression symptoms.
- Widely used in clinical settings.
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7)
- Screens for generalized anxiety disorder.
- Short and effective for quick diagnosis.
- Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)
- Measures the severity of depressive symptoms.
- Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ)
- Screens for bipolar disorder symptoms.
- Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K-10)
- Measures psychological distress, including anxiety and depression.
- Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED)
- Used for child anxiety screening.
3. Neurodevelopmental Psychological Screening Tools
Prior to a neurological evaluation, it is often helpful to have a screening test to help us focus on the actual battery and to ensure that a full battery of neuropsychological tests is indicated. The psychological screening tools we use include:
- Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS)
- For Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adults.
- Conners’ Rating Scale
- Commonly used for ADHD assessment in children.
- Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ)
- Measures traits associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
- M-CHAT (Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers)
- Early assessment tool for autism in young children.
4. Cognitive and Memory Psychological Screening Test
Cognition and memory testing are often necessary to help you understand the best fit for your career and professional pursuits, ways to better yourself, and lifestyle needs. Psychological screening tools can be used to focus on that assessment.
- Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
- Assesses cognitive impairment, often for dementia.
- Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
- Assesses for mild cognitive impairment.
- Stroop Test
- Measures attention, processing speed, and executive functioning.
5. Trauma and PTSD
Some diagnoses, such as PTSD, have deep roots and complex symptoms. A psych screening can begin to help you understand the ways that the trauma is affecting you so that treatment options can be refined.
- PTSD Checklist (PCL-5)
- For Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms.
- Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ)
- Assesses childhood experiences of abuse and neglect.
- Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R)
- Measures psychological response to traumatic events.
Accessing Psychological Screening Test Tools
Many of these tools, such as PHQ-9 and GAD-7, are free online. However, clinical tools like MMPI and MoCA require professional administration. While you may still be able to do them independently, we need to interpret the results.
Mental Health Checkup Overview
A mental health checkup is a proactive way to evaluate your emotional well-being, identify potential mental health concerns, and receive recommendations for support or treatment. Like a physical health checkup, it assesses your psychological, emotional, and cognitive state.
The following is an overview of the mental health screening services we provide
Why is a Mental Health Checkup Important?
- Identifies early signs of mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, stress, or burnout.
- Provides insight into your emotional well-being and mental resilience.
- It helps prevent the worsening of symptoms through early intervention.
- Reduces stigma around mental health by normalizing regular checkups.
- Helps you find areas of strength and potential
What Happens During a Mental Health Checkup?
1. Initial Discussion or Intake Interview
To start a mental health checkup, we:
- Ask about your current emotional state, daily functioning, and life stressors.
- Discuss your mental health history, including any previous diagnoses or treatments.
- Explore your personal, family, and medical background.
2. Mental Health Screening
We then use evidence-based tools to screen for specific mental health concerns. Examples include:
- Depression: Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).
- Anxiety: Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7).
- Stress: Perceived Stress Scale (PSS).
- Mood Disorders: Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ).
- ADHD: Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS).
- PTSD/Trauma: PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5).
These tools are often short questionnaires you complete during the session or at home before the mental health checkup.
3. Cognitive and Emotional Assessment (if needed)
- For a more detailed mental health checkup, we may conduct tests to assess:
- Cognition: memory, attention, problem-solving (e.g., MoCA or MMSE).
- Behavioral concerns: emotional regulation, impulsivity.
- Personality traits: Big Five Personality Test, MMPI.
4. Discussion of Mental Health Checkup Results
- We will explain your results.
- They may identify areas of concern (e.g., high stress, symptoms of anxiety).
- You’ll discuss coping strategies, lifestyle changes, or therapy options.
- We’ll also discuss areas of strength and opportunity
5. Recommendations for Next Steps
Based on the results, we may recommend:
- Therapy: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness therapy, or counseling.
- Lifestyle Adjustments: Exercise, sleep hygiene, nutrition, and relaxation techniques.
- Further Testing: Comprehensive psychological assessments or specific testing if needed.
How to Prepare for a Mental Health Checkup
- Reflect on your emotions: Identify stressors, mood changes, or specific concerns.
- Track symptoms: Note how often you experience sadness, worry, sleep issues, or fatigue.
- Be open: Share honestly about your feelings, lifestyle, and habits.
- List medications: Include any current medications, supplements, or past treatments.
Mental Health Screening Example
Here is an example of a mental health screening process for someone concerned about symptoms like anxiety or depression:
John’s Mental Health Screening Test
Step 1: Initial Consultation
- John visits his general physician because he’s feeling overwhelmed, fatigued, and unable to concentrate at work.
- The physician asks general questions:
- “How have you been feeling lately?”
- “Have you noticed changes in your sleep, energy, or mood?”
- “Are you experiencing stress or major life changes?”
John shares that he’s been feeling sad, has low energy, and finds it difficult to stay motivated for the last two months.
Step 2: Use of Psychological Tools
The physician refers John to us to administer two mental health screening tools. We start with:
- Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)
- A tool to assess depression symptoms over the past two weeks.
- Example questions:
- “How often have you had little interest or pleasure in doing things?”
- “How often have you felt down, depressed, or hopeless?”
- Each question is rated:
- 0 = Not at all, 1 = Several days, 2 = More than half the days, 3 = Nearly every day.
John’s PHQ-9 score: 15 (moderate depression).
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7)
- A tool to evaluate anxiety symptoms.
- Questions include:
- “How often have you felt nervous, anxious, or on edge?”
- “How often have you had trouble relaxing?”
- Scored in the same way as PHQ-9.
John’s GAD-7 score: 12 (moderate anxiety).
Step 3: Interpretation of Psychological Screening Test Results
We review the screening results and explain:
- John’s PHQ-9 score suggests moderate symptoms of depression.
- His GAD-7 score indicates moderate symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
Step 4: Recommendations and Next Steps
We discuss options with John:
- Referral to a mental health professional: A clinical psychologist for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for depression (CBT).
- Lifestyle adjustments:
- Incorporating exercise and mindfulness practices.
- Improving sleep hygiene.
- Medication: If symptoms worsen, a psychiatrist might consider antidepressants or anti-anxiety medication.
- Further testing: If John feels that his work performance is suffering, we can provide testing for accommodations. We can provide a more specific testing if he needs more information about how his cognition is affected or how personality traits have contributed to his challenge.
Psychological Screening Test Outcome
John agrees to start therapy with a licensed psychologist and schedules a follow-up appointment in four weeks to monitor his progress and after he’s had a chance to look into workplace accommodations. At that point, we will do a repeat mental health screening to see how he has progressed.
This example highlights how a mental health screening works
Summary and Our Work
We offer a mental health screening test before most comprehensive evaluations to ensure the full evaluation is worth your time and investment. This psych screening also helps us determine which instruments to choose. We also can provide a mental health checkup to provide a point-in-time evaluation of how you are doing and what interventions may help you manage any barriers or challenges.
Get a Psychological Screening Test
Much of our psych screening work is done virtually, and we serve all ages. If you would like to learn more about how a psychological screening test might do for you or a loved one, please feel free to contact us or schedule a consultation anytime.
