Psychological Testing & Evaluations in Virginia, Maryland, and Beyond

Frequently Asked Questions

What is psychological testing?

Psychological testing is a comprehensive evaluation designed to help identify, clarify, or rule out mental health, developmental, learning, and cognitive conditions. Rather than relying on symptoms alone, psychological testing uses a combination of clinical interviews, standardized assessments, behavioral observations, and a review of your medical, educational, and personal history to develop a clear understanding of what may be contributing to your concerns.

Psychological testing can provide formal diagnoses for conditions such as ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, learning disorders, anxiety, depression, personality disorders, and other mental health conditions. It may also be recommended to better understand memory concerns, cognitive functioning, or emotional and behavioral challenges.

In some cases, physicians may require psychological testing before prescribing certain medications, such as stimulant medications for ADHD, to ensure an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan.

Testing can also provide peace of mind by ruling out conditions you may be concerned about and identifying other factors that could be contributing to your symptoms. The goal is not simply to assign a diagnosis, but to provide clear answers and personalized recommendations that help guide treatment, school or workplace accommodations, and future care.

Psychological testing isn't about putting a label on you—it's about gaining a deeper understanding of your strengths, challenges, and needs so you can receive the most appropriate support and treatment.

How long does psychological testing take?

The length of a psychological evaluation depends on the type of testing being completed and your individual needs. Most testing appointments take 2 to 6 hours, although some evaluations may be completed over two shorter sessions if recommended by your psychologist or if it's more comfortable for you.

After your testing is complete, your psychologist will carefully score, interpret, and analyze the results before preparing your report. This process takes considerably longer than the testing appointment itself, as each report is individualized and includes diagnostic impressions, clinical findings, and personalized recommendations.

Most reports are completed within 2 to 6 weeks after your testing appointment, depending on the complexity of the evaluation and your provider's schedule. If you need your report for school accommodations, workplace accommodations, legal matters, or another important deadline, we recommend scheduling your evaluation as early as possible to allow enough time for testing and report preparation.

Because comprehensive psychological testing is a highly specialized service, appointments are often in high demand. If you're considering testing—even if you're still deciding—we encourage you to contact our scheduling team. Joining our waitlist does not obligate you to move forward with testing, but it can help reduce your wait time if you decide to proceed.

What Should I Bring to My Psychological Evaluation?

To help ensure the most accurate results, we recommend arriving well-rested and ready to focus. A good night's sleep can make a meaningful difference in your attention, concentration, and overall performance during testing.

Because most evaluations last 2 to 6 hours, we also recommend bringing:

• A snack or light meal to help maintain your energy throughout the evaluation.
• A refillable water bottle. Water dispensers are available at all of our office locations, and bringing your own bottle makes it easy to stay hydrated during breaks.
• Any requested documents, such as previous psychological testing reports, school evaluations, IEPs or 504 Plans, medical records, referral forms, or other records your psychologist has asked you to provide.
• Prescription glasses, hearing aids, or other assistive devices if you regularly use them.

We also recommend wearing comfortable clothing and arriving a few minutes early to complete any remaining paperwork.

The most important thing you can bring is yourself. There are no "right" or "wrong" answers during psychological testing. The goal is simply to understand how you naturally think, learn, remember, and process information so we can provide the most accurate diagnosis and personalized recommendations possible.

Does insurance cover psychological testing?

In many cases, yes—most major insurance plans provide coverage for psychological testing. However, your coverage will depend on your specific insurance plan, the type of evaluation being performed, and your individual benefits.

Some insurance plans may have restrictions, such as:

• Requiring testing to be completed in person rather than through telehealth
• Limiting the number of testing hours that are covered
• Requiring prior authorization before testing can begin
• Applying testing costs toward your deductible or coinsurance instead of a copay

Because every insurance plan is different, we recommend contacting your insurance company before your appointment to verify your psychological testing benefits. Our scheduling team can also help verify your benefits and let you know if any additional information or authorizations are needed before your evaluation.

When speaking with your insurance company, you may be asked for the billing (CPT) codes commonly used for psychological testing, including:

• 96130
• 96131
• 96132
• 96133
• 96136
• 96137

Your insurance representative can explain:

• Whether psychological testing is covered under your plan
• Your estimated out-of-pocket costs, including deductibles, copays, or coinsurance
• Whether prior authorization is required
• Any restrictions on the type or length of testing that is covered

Our goal is to help you understand your benefits before your evaluation whenever possible, so there are no surprises regarding your coverage or financial responsibility.

Do I Need a Referral?

A referral is often recommended, but whether it's required depends on your insurance plan and how you're paying for your evaluation.

If you plan to use insurance, we strongly encourage obtaining a referral from your primary care provider, therapist, psychiatrist, or another healthcare professional whenever possible. A referral can help demonstrate medical necessity, which some insurance companies require for psychological testing. It also provides valuable background information that helps your psychologist better understand your concerns and develop the most appropriate testing plan.

If you are paying out of pocket, a referral is typically not required. However, any previous records, referral letters, or documentation from your healthcare providers can still be extremely helpful in preparing for your evaluation and ensuring your psychologist has the most complete picture of your concerns.

If you're unsure whether your insurance requires a referral, our scheduling team is happy to help you understand the requirements and guide you through the process before your appointment.

If you don't already have a referral, we're here to help. Our scheduling team can connect you with one of our licensed therapists. Based on their clinical assessment and professional judgment, they can determine whether psychological testing is appropriate and provide a referral if medically indicated.

Can my child be tested?

Yes. Dr. Goldberg & Associates provides psychological testing for children ages 2 and older.

Our psychologists use age-appropriate, evidence-based assessments to better understand your child's strengths, challenges, and developmental needs. Depending on your concerns, testing may help evaluate conditions such as ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, learning disorders, developmental delays, behavioral concerns, anxiety, and other emotional or cognitive conditions.

Following the evaluation, you'll receive a comprehensive report that includes your child's results, any diagnoses (if applicable), and personalized recommendations for treatment, school accommodations, and next steps.

If you're unsure whether psychological testing is the right option for your child, our scheduling team can help determine whether an evaluation is appropriate and match you with the provider best suited to your child's needs.

How accurate is psychological testing?

Psychological testing is one of the most reliable and evidence-based methods for evaluating cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and psychological functioning. The accuracy of your evaluation depends on several factors, including completing the assessment as honestly and thoughtfully as possible and providing accurate information during your clinical interview.

Our licensed clinical psychologists combine information from clinical interviews, standardized psychological assessments, behavioral observations, and, when appropriate, records or collateral information to develop a comprehensive understanding of your symptoms. They don't rely on a single test or questionnaire to make a diagnosis. Instead, they carefully interpret all of the information together to determine whether a diagnosis is appropriate and to develop personalized treatment recommendations.

The best approach is simply to answer questions honestly rather than trying to achieve a particular outcome. There are no "right" or "wrong" answers, and the goal of testing is to gain the clearest understanding of your strengths, challenges, and needs so we can recommend the most appropriate next steps.

Will I receive a written report?

Yes, you will receive a comprehensive, written report after your feedback session.

Can testing diagnose ADHD?

Yes. Psychological testing is one of the most comprehensive ways to evaluate for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in both children and adults.

A thorough ADHD evaluation looks beyond attention and concentration alone. Your psychologist will assess your symptoms, developmental and medical history, cognitive functioning, executive functioning, and other factors that may be contributing to your concerns. This comprehensive approach helps determine whether your symptoms are consistent with ADHD or whether another condition—or a combination of conditions—may better explain what you're experiencing.

While not all healthcare providers require psychological testing before prescribing ADHD medication, many do, particularly for stimulant medications. Testing can provide a clear diagnosis, help guide treatment recommendations, and give your prescribing provider valuable information to determine the most appropriate treatment plan.

Whether you're seeking answers for yourself or your child, psychological testing can provide clarity, identify strengths and challenges, and help ensure you receive the care that's best suited to your needs.

Can adults receive autism testing?

Yes. Autism evaluations are available for adults of all ages. While autism is often diagnosed during childhood, many people are not identified until adolescence or adulthood. In fact, it's common for adults to seek testing after recognizing lifelong patterns in themselves or after a child or family member receives an autism diagnosis.

If you've always felt "different," struggled with social communication, experienced sensory sensitivities, preferred routines, or found certain aspects of daily life more challenging than those around you, an autism evaluation can provide valuable answers.

A comprehensive autism assessment can help determine whether your experiences are consistent with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or whether another condition—or a combination of conditions—may better explain your symptoms. Receiving an accurate diagnosis can help you better understand yourself, access appropriate supports or accommodations, and make informed decisions about treatment and next steps.

Whether you're seeking clarity for yourself or a loved one, it's never too late to pursue an evaluation. Understanding the "why" behind your experiences can be an important step toward greater self-awareness and improved quality of life.

Can my psychologist coordinate with my therapist or physician?

Yes. In fact, coordinating your care with your therapist, primary care physician, psychiatrist, or other healthcare providers is often an important part of providing comprehensive, high-quality care.

Before we can share any information, you'll need to complete a Release of Information (ROI) form giving us your written permission to communicate with your other provider(s). This helps protect your privacy and ensures we comply with HIPAA and other confidentiality requirements.

To make the coordination process as smooth as possible, we recommend completing a Release of Information with both providers. This allows each office to communicate directly, share relevant clinical information, and collaborate on your treatment plan when appropriate.

Working together helps ensure everyone involved in your care has the information they need to provide the most accurate diagnosis, make informed treatment recommendations, and support the best possible outcomes for your health.

How soon will I receive my results?

Most reports are completed within 2 to 6 weeks after your testing appointment, depending on the complexity of the evaluation and your provider's schedule. If you need your report for school accommodations, workplace accommodations, legal matters, or another important deadline, we recommend scheduling your evaluation as early as possible to allow enough time for testing and report preparation.