Psychological assessment. This is typically a task that is administered to a person to measure something about the way their mind or brain works. But the name psychological assessment personally sounds like a terrifying scary procedure. It could easily give someone the feeling of being a lab rat or bring up fears of being mentally poked and prodded like something that should be performed in a hospital. While I understand how it sounds, in reality, it may not be as scary as you might think. My hope is that your fears can be eased and together we can learn what assessment may look like, and ways it may be able to help you.
First, there are many MANY reasons someone may benefit from psychological assessment. For example, it may be used to help clarify any struggles someone is having academically. There are assessments designed for kiddos and for adults that can help the administrator get a picture of what they may struggle with as well as great strengths in skills needed for academics. There are also tests that paint a picture of your personality. This may also be helpful if there are any struggles that you may be having with your mental health. Humans are complex, and certain experiences look different from person to person. Though two people may be experiencing anxiety symptoms, each person's experience could look very different. Assessment can help your clinician provide you with the best care possible as they will have a clear picture of your experiences. As I stated before there are so many questions that can be answered through psychological assessment and these are simply a few common uses. You may be asking yourself, “But what would it even be like for me to be assessed by a psychologist?” This is an important question! Many assessments involve the administrator asking you questions or providing a questionnaire for you to fill out.
“What if I get the questions wrong?” Getting the questions wrong or right is not the goal of psychological assessment. The goal is to answer the questions to the best of your ability.
“Is there anything that I need to do before arriving to my appointment?” It is good to ensure that you have eaten so that you will not be hungry throughout your time. Also, getting a good night's sleep can make your mind most prepared to be alert and to think clearly.
While there are so many benefits to assessment, many people decide not to pursue psychological assessment as it is expensive. While it may be difficult for you to see past the dollar sign, I want to encourage you to invest in yourself and your well-being. Choose to give yourself the best care because you deserve to invest in your mental well-being.
Regent University’s Psychological Services Center provides assessment for all the reasons above and MORE! We provide assessments for better understanding academic functioning, your strengths or hindrances in intelligence, learning about career choices that you may excel in, and help in providing accurate diagnosis on a number of mental health struggles. If you are considering psychological assessment services for you or someone you love, I encourage you to call and schedule today!