Psychological Evaluations

Clarity. Insight. Direction.

Life doesn’t come with a manual - and sometimes, even with the best support, we find ourselves asking “Why?” Why am I (or my child) reacting this way? Why do certain situations feel so overwhelming? Why does progress feel stuck?

A psychological evaluation can help answer those questions. At the Family Guidance Center, we use evidence-based psychological assessments to provide a deeper understanding of how a person thinks, feels, learns, and functions - not just for diagnosis, but to guide treatment, support personal growth, and improve overall quality of life.

What Is a Psychological Evaluation?

A psychological evaluation is a comprehensive, individualized assessment that gathers information about a person’s emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and personality functioning. It often combines interviews, questionnaires, standardized tests, and behavioral observations to form a full picture of how someone is doing - beneath the surface.

Unlike a quick screening or checklist, a full evaluation goes beyond labels. It helps us understand why challenges are happening and what can help.

When Psychological Evaluations Are Helpful:

Psychological testing can be valuable in many situations. Some of the most common include:

Diagnostic Clarity

When symptoms overlap or are hard to understand, testing can provide a clearer picture. We assess for a wide range of conditions, including:

ADHD and executive-functioning challenges
Anxiety and mood disorders
Autism spectrum conditions
Trauma-related conditions (PTSD, complex trauma)
Personality patterns that affect relationships and functioning
Learning or cognitive differences

A formal diagnosis can guide effective treatment, school accommodations, workplace support, and access to services.

Personal Growth & Self-Understanding

Evaluations aren’t just for diagnosis. Many people - teens and adults alike - choose testing as part of a deeper journey toward self-understanding. A psychological assessment can help you:

Discover strengths and hidden talents.
Understand patterns in relationships, emotions, and decision-making.
Identify core beliefs or coping strategies that may be holding you back.
Build self-awareness that informs therapy, coaching, or life decisions.

This insight can be especially powerful during times of transition - such as college, career changes, or major life shifts - when understanding how you’re wired can shape the path ahead.

Parenting and Family Support

For children and teens, psychological testing can illuminate how they learn, think, and feel — and why certain behaviors occur. Results can:

Guide parenting strategies and behavior plans.
Help parents and educators tailor environments that support emotional regulation and success.

For families navigating divorce or custody cases, psychological evaluations can also provide valuable information about children’s needs, emotional functioning, and adjustment.

Legal & Forensic Contexts

In some cases, evaluations are court-ordered or recommended by legal professionals. These assessments can provide objective data related to parenting capacity, mental health, risk factors, or the psychological best interests of a child. Dr. Seiss frequently provides evaluations for court settings, and her reports are designed to offer clear, evidence-based insights to guide judicial decision-making.

What the Process Looks Like

Every evaluation is tailored to the individual, but most follow a similar process:

Initial Consultation: We meet with you (and, if appropriate, your child or family) to understand your concerns, goals, and questions.
Testing Sessions: A series of standardized assessments are administered.
Interpretation & Integration: We analyze results, integrate findings, and connect them to real-life functioning.
Feedback & Recommendations: We meet to review the results together, explaining them clearly and offering next steps, treatment recommendations, and resources.

Our goal is not just to hand you a report - but to give you a roadmap for what to do next.

Why Psychological Testing Matters

Psychological evaluations turn guesswork into guidance. They help individuals, families, and professionals make informed decisions about therapy, education, parenting, and personal growth. Most importantly, they empower people to better understand themselves and take meaningful steps toward change.

Ready to Learn More?

Whether you’re seeking clarity about a diagnosis, deeper self-insight, or guidance for your child, we’re here to help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation or discuss whether a psychological evaluation might be right for your situation.