Psychological Assessment

When you start treatment for a psychiatric disorder or emotional problem, the first step is a psychological assessment. The experienced mental health experts at the Rein Center in Iowa City, Iowa, combine an in-depth discussion with selected psychological tests to evaluate your or book an in-person or telehealth appointment online today to arrange your psychological assessment.

Psychological Assessment

In addition to conducting a thorough intake session, we administer psychological testing to enhance diagnostic precision, provide ongoing psychoeducation, and monitor treatment responses. Our providers have access to an array of psychological assessments to better understand your concerns and ensure that your treatment is addressing these needs. To further this goal, we send out monthly surveys to track your progress with Outcome MD. When you fill out the brief assessment you will receive immediate feedback regarding improvements in your condition. We feel this feedback supports our patient's growth and allows us to ensure that your treatment is on the right track.

What is a psychological assessment?

A psychological assessment involves meeting with a skilled mental health professional and undergoing some simple tests.

Psychological assessments are an important first step in understanding how someone thinks, feels, learns, and behaves. It helps your therapist gain insight into how you see the world around you and interact with it.

Rein Center offers telehealth appointments using secure video link technology as well as in-person psychological assessments.

Why would I need a psychological assessment?

You might need a psychological assessment if you have symptoms of a mental health disorder that require an accurate diagnosis. Rein Center clinicians can evaluate your symptoms, ensuring you receive the most appropriate treatment for conditions such as:

• Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Anxiety disorders
• Depression
• Bipolar disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Sexual and emotional abuse
• Eating disorders
• Personality disorders

It’s often challenging to ask for help when you have symptoms of psychiatric disorders like these, so the thought of undergoing a psychological assessment might sound stressful. You needn’t feel worried about the evaluation process, though, as the skilled Rein Center clinicians ensure psychological assessments are as stress-free as possible.

What does a psychological assessment involve?

The two aspects of a psychological assessment are a discussion with your therapist and selected psychological tests.

At your meeting, your therapist asks you about your symptoms, the problems you face, and how your condition affects your life. They also ask about your personal and family history and any insight you have into what influences your mental health.

The psychological tests you take can vary depending on your symptoms. One common form of testing is depression screening, where you answer questions designed to assess depression’s presence and severity.

Personality tests can also help your therapist understand you better. Widely-used examples include the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2) and Rorschach or Holtzman inkblot tests. Your therapist never relies solely on your test results to make a diagnosis, but they can form an important part of a comprehensive assessment.

To learn more about psychological assessments and their role in improving your mental health, call Rein Center or book an in-person or telehealth appointment online today.