Psychological, Psychoeducational & Disability Assessment Services - Psychological Services Center - Antioch University New England

Psychological, Psychoeducational & Disability Assessment Services

The PSC is a training clinic for Antioch University New England's doctoral students in clinical psychology. Assessment trainees are in their second, third, and fourth years of doctoral training, and are under the supervision of a core faculty member of the Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, Susan Hawes, PhD, a licensed psychologist in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Dr. Hawes is involved from start to finish in every individual assessment performed here and, along with the assessment clinician, signs each assessment report. Our services have been referred by private schools, colleges, psychologists, psychotherapists, former clients, lawyers, and state social service institutions.

Psychological Assessments

Our clinicians perform psychological assessments to diagnose psychological problems and to provide recommendations for psychotherapeutic remediation and support. These assessments involve a clinical interview and a battery of diagnostic tests. The resulting psychological assessment report can be used to inform treatment planning or for psychological disability determination.

A typical test battery includes:

A cognitive battery (WISC-IV or WAIS-III)
A standardized personality test (MMPI-A, MMPI-2 or PAI)
Symptom/Behavior Checklists
Projective personality tests

Results of the assessment are compiled and summarized in a written report, which will be discussed with you in person by your assessment clinician.

Psychological assessments require about eight hours in face-to-face time. The time for composing the integrated report typically calls for 2-3 weeks. Depending on the gaps between testing sessions, the assessment should take 4-5 weeks for completion.

Psychoeducational and Disability Assessment Services

Students of all ages are referred to our clinic for psychoeducational assessments to address questions regarding learning or vocational disabilities and/or attention deficit disorders. In addition to a developmental, family & medical history, and a review of academic records, our core test battery typically includes:

Questionnaires relating to childhood development and academic observations
A test battery of intellectual functioning (Woodcock-Johnson-III as well as a selection of relevant neuropsychological tests to assess memory, attention, phonological processing, expressive & receptive language, motor integration, and executive functioning)
A test battery of academic achievement in reading, written expression, and mathematics (Woodcock-Johnson-III and additional tests as needed)
A self-report measure of learning attitudes and study skills
Test(s) of psychosocial functioning
Classroom observations for children in elementary school

The final product of the assessment process is a comprehensive report, which will be discussed with you in person by your assessment clinician.

The psychoeducational testing process takes anywhere from 9 to 15 hours, and in some cases even longer. The testing is usually split into two or three intensive sessions. Typically, the testing process takes 3 work weeks, and then another 5 weeks to complete the interpretation and report. The total time from first meeting to the meeting to review the report is typically 8 work weeks. Because we are a training clinic for doctoral clinical psychology students, we take about 2 weeks longer to produce the report than most private practice psychologists due to supervision time.

To expedite the process, upon receiving a deposit fee for the assessment, the PSC sends out a packet of forms and questionnaires to be completed by student and family. This information is to be completed and returned to Antioch PSC before testing begins. Failure to return the packet prolongs the scheduled date for testing and results in you being returned to the waiting list.

Additional Services

We will administer, score, and interpret a Wechsler intelligence battery (WISC-III) for students who need IQ scores for school admission.

When requested, we are happy to add a vocational interest inventory to any of our assessment batteries for no additional cost.

Your Rights

Throughout the psychoeducational assessment process, you have the right to inquire about the nature or purpose of all procedures. You also have the right to the test results, interpretations, and recommendations. Your assessment records and report are strictly confidential, unless you have directed us in writing to provide a report or consultation to another individual (typically, a school or college official responsible for special learning accommodations, physician, or therapist).

How to arrange for the Assessment

Call Joy Guerriero, Administrative Director at Antioch PSC, 603-352-1024. She will complete a referral form, which includes demographic information plus the reason you are requesting an assessment. You may also contact her via email (jguerriero@antiochne.edu). We require a $50 deposit at this time, which will be deducted from your total fee.

Within that week, you will be contacted by Dr. Hawes' assistant, who will gather more information and will insure that your assessment begins as soon as possible. Then, within 1-2 weeks, your assessment clinician will contact you to arrange the time and place for the assessment to begin. At certain times during the year, we have a waiting list; in that instance, we will give you an estimate as to when your assessment might begin.

Before Testing Can Begin

In addition to signing our Testing Consent Form to begin the psychoeducational assessment process, we ask that clients provide us with certain information before testing can begin. A selection of self-report forms will be mailed to you that will need to be completed and brought in for the first testing session. These forms can also be downloaded using the link below.

Assessment Forms

We also ask that, where relevant, academic records be procured for our review. This information provides valuable background information crucial to an accurate evaluation.

Fees

We have very reasonable standard fees:

Psychological Assessment--$450
Psychoeducational Assessment--$550
WAIS-III or WISC-IV--$150

Our fees may be adjusted at times depending upon the purpose of the evaluation and the types of tests required. Registered Antioch students may request a sliding fee estimate. A $50 non-refundable deposit is required tat the outset to hold your place on our active referral list, which will be credited toward the standard fee payment. An additional fee of $20 per hour will be charged for arriving late and/or missed appointments.

We ask that you pay your fee in full at your initial appointment. Questions concerning the fee or the payment policy should be discussed with your clinician before the assessment process begins. Full payment for the assessment must be paid in full no later than the last day of testing. We accept MasterCard, Visa and Discover credit cards. We do not bill insurance companies.

Location of the PSC

Antioch Psychological Services is located on 40 Avon Street, in Keene, New Hampshire. Avon Street is off West Street, near Sears Plaza and Hannaford's. For a detailed map, please visit map/directions in about ANE.