Yosemite Psychological & Counseling

Psychological Evaluations & Testing
      
There are several general categories of psychological evaluations which can be provided by our licensed professionals: (1) Child Evaluations; (2) Adult Psychological Evaluations; (3) Neuropsychological Assessments and; (4) Other court ordered evaluations and assessments.

Child Custody Evaluations
When an agreement cannot be reached even after mediation and a court hearing, in such contested custody cases, the court may order an evaluation to determine what is in the "best interest of the child". To do so, the court may request evaluations of one or both parents and/or the children involved. Our YP&C clinicians can provide Psychological evaluations prior to disposition of child custody proceedings such as:

• Full evaluations to determine the "best interest of the child".
• Child Interviews (often called the "voice of the child" interviews).
• Assessments determining the extent of benefit or harm there may be for a child to continue a relationship with a parent.
• Mental Health / Psychological Assessments to insure reunification services are tailored to the needs of parent and child.
• Parenting capacity assessments to verify if either parent can properly and effectively raise the child.
• Psychiatric / Psychological assessments in cases where intellectual functioning, behaviors, or psychiatric disorders may be affecting the child or parent.

Adult Psychological Evaluations
When a person is charged with a misdemeanor or felony, their mental state or mental illness may be at issue before a conviction or sentencing can be fairly and justly reached, in such cases, either the court may order or a defense attorney may request, a psychological evaluation. Psychological evaluations may also be provided for determining rehabilitative states or progress of those incarcerated in the state prison system. The three main areas of defense related to mental health evaluations are: (1) diminished capacity, (2) competency and; (3) mitigating circumstances. Such evaluations or assessments may include:

• An examination of the defendant by a court qualified examiner usually a licensed psychologist.
• A thorough examination of all relevant data such as court, medical and mental health records.
• Depending on the outcome of the written report, the evaluator may be called to testify in court as an expert witness.

Neuropsychological Testing
Neuropsychological examinations are one method of diagnosing neurodevelopmental, neurodegenerative and acquired brain disorders for children or adults. The purpose of a neuropsychological examination is to assess the relationships between the unseen brain/central nervous system dysfunction and the more evident cognitive/ behavioral dysfunctions. The Social Security Administration states that comprehensive neuropsychological examinations may be used to establish the existence and extent of brain dysfunction (SSA, 2002). The Social Security Administration also identifies licensed or certified psychologists conducting neuropsychological examinations as "acceptable medical sources" for disability examinations.

If you or a loved one is concerned because of signs and symptoms of intellectual compromise, cognitive and/or behavioral dysfunction that including some of the following:

• Changes and deficits in Memory Language disorders
• Learning, developmental and pervasive developmental disorders
• Problems with organization, planning, or perceptual abnormalities

To diagnose the origin of such symptoms, a neuropsychological evaluation may be a vital key to determining the more precise and subtle nature of a variety of neurological conditions such as: Cerebrovascular Accidents (CVA), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, HIV/AIDS, hydrocephalus, neurotoxic exposure, brain tumors, and other medical conditions such as thyroid and collagen-vascular disorders among others. Neuropsychological evaluations also provide critical adjunctive information in diagnosing conditions such as Alzheimer's and other dementia related and degenerative disorders. Although we don't provide long-term neuropsychological services, we do have Psychologists that can set you on the right path to managing neuropsychological problems through diagnostic testing and point you to the services that can help you for the long-term.