Diagnostic Clarification

Psychiatric conditions often can share similar symptoms and presentations, however, they can often co-occur and/or aggravate one another. As a result, providing a timely and accurate diagnosis can be challenging, and can get in the way of therapeutic progress. A diagnostic clarification assessment is intended to provide diagnostic and/or differential diagnostic clarification as to increase the accuracy and thoroughness of an individual’s diagnosis by providing a comprehensive, standardized, and valid evaluation of symptoms – including one’s thoughts, behaviors, emotions, personality traits, and circumstances.

The testing process is always individualized – we personally select measures that follow the gold standard of normed, research-based, valid, and reliable tests. In order to determine which tests we will use, a vital part of the process involves a thorough clinical interview which gathers relevant historical data, and may examine available supplemental sources of information. In sum, the diagnostic clarification assessment focuses on identifying relevant diagnostic criteria and ruling out similar but inaccurate conditions.

Although the process of receiving an accurate diagnosis can feel daunting and vulnerable, the benefits of it can make important differences in the efficacy of treatment and the prognosis of an individual’s condition. Once the assessment is completed, you/or your referral source will be provided a formal integrated psychological assessment report that will outline relevant and important treatment recommendations.