The steps in a psychological evaluation are standardized and comprehensive, following a path designed to get meaningful, helpful, positive, and validating results. This post shows how psychological evaluations work, what it feels like to be psychologically evaluated, and the results you can expect. It finishes with a psychological evaluation example that helps you understand how the process unfolds and what to expect.

If you want more information about how psychological evaluations work and what to expect, don’t hesitate to contact us or schedule a consultation anytime.

All of the Steps in a Psychological Evaluation Steps in a Psychological Evaluation

The steps in a psychological evaluation are standardized to assess an individual’s mental health, cognitive functioning, and overall psychological well-being. Here is an outline of the typical steps involved, and again, there is a psychological evaluation example at the end of this post that goes over the process as well:


Initial Steps in a Psychological Evaluation

Initial Intake and Interview

  • Purpose: Gather background information and understand why you want to be psychologically evaluated.
  • Process:
    • Discussion of current concerns, symptoms, and goals for the evaluation.
    • Review of medical, psychological, educational, and family history.
    • Exploration of lifestyle factors (e.g., stress, sleep, diet, substance use).
    • Consent for the evaluation is obtained, including an explanation of confidentiality.

Observation

  • Purpose: Collect qualitative data about your behavior and demeanor.
  • Process: We observe non-verbal cues, communication style, mood, and social interactions during the interview and testing.

Collateral Information Gathering

  • Purpose: Obtain additional perspectives for a comprehensive understanding.
  • Process:
    • Interviews with family members, teachers, or caregivers (if applicable).
    • Review of medical records, academic reports, or prior psychological assessments.

Testing Steps in a Psychological Evaluation

Psychological Testing

  • Purpose: Gather objective data on specific areas of functioning. This is the core aspect of how psychological evaluations work.
  • Types of Psychological Tests:

Integration of Data

  • Purpose: Synthesize findings into a coherent picture of the individual.
  • Process:
    • Analyze test results, behavioral observations, and interview data.
    • Compare findings to diagnostic criteria (e.g., DSM-5 or ICD-11).
    • Consider cultural, social, and environmental factors.
    • Find strengths and opportunities as well as barriers and challenges

Diagnosis (if applicable)

  • Purpose: Determine whether the individual meets the criteria for specific psychological or neurodevelopmental conditions.
  • Process:
    • Use standardized diagnostic frameworks.
    • Evaluate differential diagnoses and rule out other possible explanations.

Post-Testing Steps in a Psychological Evaluation

Feedback Session

  • Purpose: Share results and recommendations with the individual and/or their family. This is how psychological evaluations work to help you realize your strengths and overcome challenges.
  • Process:
    • Provide a clear summary of findings.
    • Answer questions and address concerns.
    • Discuss treatment options, accommodations, or follow-up steps.

Written Report

  • Purpose: Provide a formal record of the evaluation.
  • Contents:
    • Summary of presenting concerns and history.
    • Description of methods used (tests, interviews, observations).
    • Results and interpretation of findings.
    • Diagnosis (if applicable).
    • Recommendations for treatment, self-help, lifestyle changes, holistic approaches, school or workplace accommodations, or interventions.

9. Follow-Up

  • Purpose: Ensure continuity of care and address any ongoing concerns. This is how psychological evaluations work in the longer term.
  • Process:
    • Collaborate with therapists, educators, or medical professionals.
    • Adjust recommendations based on progress and feedback.

Each of the steps in a psychological evaluation is tailored to the individual’s needs and the purpose of the assessment. For example, a testing for ADHD might focus more on attention and executive functioning, while an anxiety assessment may delve deeper into emotional functioning.

How Psychological Evaluations Work

Psychological evaluations combine interviews, observations, and formal testing to assess an individual’s cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning. The goal is to understand the person’s strengths and challenges better and inform diagnoses, treatment planning, or other recommendations. Here’s a detailed explanation of how psychological evaluations work, followed by a psychological evaluation example that helps you see the process:


How Psychological Evaluations Work: Establishing Purpose

  • Why It’s Done:
  • Initial Questions: What does the individual, family, or referring professional (e.g., a doctor or teacher) hope to learn?

The Result: A Comprehensive Written Report

  • The final report includes:
    • A summary of findings.
    • Diagnoses (if any) and their rationale.
    • Recommendations for treatment, support, or accommodations.
    • Test scores and interpretation.
    • Highlights of strengths, opportunities, and potential

Follow-Up

  • Afterward:
    • We may provide referrals to therapists, psychiatrists, or educational specialists.
    • Some may offer ongoing support to implement recommendations.

What Makes Psychological Evaluations Effective?

  • Tailored Approach: No two evaluations are identical; they’re designed to address specific questions or concerns.
  • Evidence-Based Tools: Evaluators use reliable and valid measures to ensure accuracy.
  • Comprehensive Perspective: Combining subjective reports, objective tests, and collateral data creates a well-rounded understanding.

These assessments are not “pass/fail”; rather, they help us better understand someone and develop actionable plans to support their well-being.

What It’s Like To Be Psychologically Evaluated

Being psychologically evaluated can feel different for everyone, depending on the purpose of the evaluation, your personality, and how comfortable you are discussing personal topics. Here’s what you can typically expect and how it might feel:


What Happens: Steps in a Psychological Evaluation

  1. Initial Meeting:
    • You’ll meet us and discuss why you’re there.
    • We’ll explain the process and answer any questions to make you feel at ease.
    • It might feel like a conversation, but we collect information about your history, concerns, and goals.
  2. Interviews and Questions:
    • Expect to answer questions about your mental health, physical health, family background, and daily life.
    • These questions can feel personal or reflective, especially when discussing sensitive topics (e.g., emotions, relationships, or past experiences).
  3. Testing:
    • You might take various tests, such as:
      • Cognitive tests (e.g., solving puzzles, memory games).
      • Questionnaires about mood, behavior, or personality.
      • Achievement tests if it’s about learning or school issues.
    • Some parts might feel like taking a standardized test, while others might feel more creative or introspective.
  4. Observation:
    • We may observe how you respond to tasks or questions.
    • This is not meant to be judgmental; it’s part of understanding how you think and act.
  5. Wrap-Up and Feedback:
    • At the end, we’ll summarize their findings and discuss recommendations.
    • If it’s a multi-session process, so you might not get feedback immediately.

How It Might Feel to be Psychologically Evaluated:

  1. Vulnerable:
    • Talking about personal struggles or history might bring up emotions. This is normal and part of the process, and how psychological evaluations work to get at deep-seated issues.
  2. Challenging:
    • Some tasks or questions, especially cognitive or problem-solving tests, may feel tricky or unfamiliar. The goal isn’t to “pass” but to see how you approach them.
  3. Reassuring:
    • Many people find it validating to talk to someone who listens carefully and wants to understand them fully.
  4. Exhausting:
    • If the evaluation takes several hours, it can be mentally tiring. Breaks are usually offered, so you can rest if needed.
  5. Empowering:
    • Once you receive results and recommendations, it can feel like a weight is lifted, especially if you gain insight into yourself, validation for your struggles, and ideas for self-improvement.

Tips to Make the Experience Easier:

  1. Be Honest:
    • Answer questions openly, even if it feels uncomfortable. There’s no “right” answer, and honesty helps ensure accurate results.
  2. Ask Questions:
    • If something isn’t clear or feels overwhelming, ask for clarification. We want you to feel comfortable.
  3. Remember It’s Collaborative:
    • As you’ll see from the psychological evaluation example below, you’re working together to understand yourself better—it’s not about being judged.
  4. Take Your Time:
    • Many tests and tasks aren’t timed, so there’s no need to rush.
  5. Focus on the Outcome:
    • The goal is to gain insights that help you, whether it’s a diagnosis, treatment plan, or accommodations.

Why People Find It Valuable:

  • Many people say being psychologically evaluated helps them feel seen and understood.
  • It can provide clear steps forward through therapy, academic accommodations, lifestyle changes, holistic approaches, or medical interventions.
  • For some, being psychologically evaluated offers relief by naming what they’ve been experiencing (e.g., learning about ADHD or anxiety).

Ultimately, these assessments are designed to be helpful and supportive, not stressful, as seen in the psychological evaluation example below. We make the experience as comfortable as possible.

Psychological Evaluation Example

This psychological evaluation example involves a young adult woman and highlights the process and its components. This fictional but realistic case illustrates the process.


Psychological Evaluation Example: 23-Year-Old Anna

Anna, a 23-year-old college student, seeks our services because she struggles with focus, procrastination, and anxiety, which are affecting her academic performance. She wants to be psychologically evaluated to know if she might have ADHD or another condition contributing to her difficulties. The following are the steps in a psychological evaluation that were used with Anna.


1. Initial Intake

  • Setting: Anna meets with us in her single dorm room for virtual testing.
  • Interview Topics:
    • Current concerns: “I can’t stay focused in class or when I study. I get overwhelmed easily.”
    • Academic history: Anna has struggled with deadlines since high school and finds group projects particularly stressful.
    • Mental health history: She mentions occasional panic attacks and persistent feelings of guilt about not meeting expectations.
    • Family history: Her father has ADHD, and her mother struggles with anxiety.
    • Social history: Anna describes herself as introverted but has supportive friends.
  • Self-Report Questionnaires: Anna completes forms about her mood, attention, and daily habits, such as the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS).

2. Observation

During the intake, we note:

  • Anna frequently loses her train of thought and apologizes excessively.
  • She fidgets with her hands and avoids eye contact when discussing struggles.
  • She appears engaged but becomes visibly anxious when discussing deadlines.

3. Testing

Anna returns for a second session for formal assessments:

  • Cognitive Functioning (WAIS-IV):
    • Verbal Comprehension: Strong (above average).
    • Working Memory: Below average, especially on tasks requiring sustained attention.
  • Executive Functioning Tests (e.g., Trail Making Test, Stroop Test):
    • Slow processing speed and difficulty with task-switching.
  • Attention and Impulsivity (e.g., Conners’ Continuous Performance Test):
    • High levels of inattention and impulsive errors compared to her age group.
  • Emotional/Behavioral Assessments:
    • Elevated scores on anxiety and perfectionism scales.
    • Moderate symptoms of depression are mostly tied to feelings of failure.

4. Collateral Information

  • Family Input: With Anna’s consent, her mother provides insight into childhood behaviors:
    • Anna was disorganized and often left homework incomplete.
    • Teachers frequently commented on her being bright but “not living up to her potential.”
  • Academic Records: Anna’s transcripts show fluctuating grades, with strong performance in subjects she enjoys and poor performance in others.

5. Results and Diagnosis

After analyzing the data, we conclude:

  • Primary Diagnosis: ADHD, Inattentive Type (based on DSM-5 criteria).
  • Secondary Considerations: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).
  • Rationale:
    • Anna’s difficulties with sustained attention, organization, and procrastination are consistent with ADHD.
    • Her anxiety appears secondary, stemming from academic struggles and perfectionism.

6. Feedback and Recommendations

Anna returns for a feedback session:

  • Findings: We start by saying, “Your struggles with focus and deadlines align with ADHD. Your anxiety is also a significant factor, but it’s likely exacerbated by the challenges from ADHD.”
  • Recommendations:
    • Treatment Plan: Start cognitive-behavioral therapy for ADHD.
    • Medication Referral: Consider a consultation with a psychiatrist about ADHD medication.
    • Academic Accommodations: Work with her college’s disability services to request extra time on tests, reduced-distraction exam settings, and access to an academic coach.
    • Lifestyle Strategies: Create routines, use planners, and take frequent breaks during study sessions.
    • Holistic Approaches: Learn mindfulness approaches, improve sleep hygiene, and use nutritional strategies.

7. Written Report

We provide Anna with a detailed report summarizing:

  • Her history, test results, diagnoses, strengths, barriers, and recommendations.
  • A section for her to share with student services or other professionals as needed.

8. Follow-Up

As one of the last steps in a psychological evaluation, Anna schedules a follow-up appointment three months later to discuss her progress with therapy, accommodations, and any new challenges.


How It Felt to Be Psychologically Evaluated

In this psychological evaluation example, we can imagine how Anna felt being psychologically evaluated:

  • Initially nervous, Anna found the process reassuring once she realized it was collaborative and non-judgmental.
  • She felt validated by the findings, especially after years of blaming herself for procrastination and disorganization.
  • The recommendations gave her a clear plan to address her challenges and improve her quality of life.

This psychological evaluation example illustrates how a psychological evaluation can provide clarity, validation, and actionable steps for addressing complex conditions and challenges. This is the core aspect of how psychological evaluations work and how beneficial they can be.

Summary and Our Work

Knowing the steps in a psychological evaluation can help you prepare and go in with less anxiety and uncertainty. Being psychologically evaluated can be exciting and meaningful if you have the right mindset about its purpose and potential.

We hope this post and the psychological evaluation example at the end helped you understand how it feels to be psychologically evaluated. If you have more questions about the steps in a psychological evaluation, how psychological evaluations work, or our services, don’t hesitate to contact us or schedule a consultation.

author avatar
Dr. Alan Jacobson, Psy.D., MBA Founder and President
Dr. Jacobson is a senior-level licensed clinical psychologist who has been practicing for over 20 years. He founded the Virtual Psychological Testing Group in 2021. He provides psychological and neuropsychological testing for adolescents and adults.