How is Testing Different From Therapy?

Testing is not therapy, although they are easy to confuse.

Broadly, therapy is a weekly examination of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. An individual therapist may spend 50 minutes discussing one symptom or a set of symptoms. Therapy often examines large, philosophical questions and looks at a person’s history to provide context for current behaviors.

Testing is different, less concerned with the “why” behind actions and instead focused on examining functional impairment. A psychological assessment is often a one-day encounter, used to assist in treatment planning. Evaluations use data sets to figure out what is going on, quickly, in order to target specific symptoms with individual recommendations. Most, although not all, people interested in testing come with a specific question or goal.

Evaluations begin with a comprehensive clinical interview discussing your symptoms and life history. Testing is a cooperative effort, and clients struggling with anxiety and ADHD may request to type out their answers before the evaluation through Minding My Own’s online portal. It is considered a best practice to ensure clients have discussed everything they hoped to cover before moving to cognitive assessment measures. Clients are encouraged to share any records they might have, either from previous therapy providers, schools, or hospitals. Following the evaluation, clients have the opportunity to discuss their results and will receive a pdf copy to share with any medical or therapy providers.

I hope this blog post helped explain some of the differences between psychotherapy and psychological assessment. Until next time! -Brian Burgoyne, PsyD