Diagnostic Screening & Psychological Assessment in Denver, CO

Clarifying the Path to Better Mental Health Through Insightful Evaluation

Psychological testing and diagnostic assessment can be powerful tools in understanding mental health concerns and tailoring treatment to fit your unique needs. In my Denver-based practice, I integrate evidence-based screening and assessment into both therapy and stand-alone consultations to ensure your care is comprehensive, individualized, and effective.

Whether you're struggling with unclear symptoms, navigating multiple concerns, or seeking a second opinion, psychological evaluation can help bring clarity, direction, and focus to your healing journey.

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Why Psychological Assessment Matters

Many people begin therapy feeling confused by what they're experiencing. Is this anxiety? Depression? Burnout? ADHD? Or something else entirely?

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Without an accurate understanding of the root issues, it’s easy to mislabel symptoms or pursue treatment approaches that aren’t as effective. That’s where structured psychological screening and testing come in. These tools help us:

• Identify or clarify mental health diagnoses

• Understand how multiple conditions may overlap

• Establish a baseline for treatment planning

• Track progress over time

• Inform referrals and collaboration with medical providers

• Support academic or workplace accommodations when appropriate

Assessment isn’t just about “labeling” a problem. It’s about gaining insight into the patterns, strengths, and barriers that affect your emotional and cognitive functioning—so we can develop a therapy plan that truly supports you.

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How I Integrate Assessment Into Therapy

As part of my individualized psychotherapy process, I regularly incorporate brief screening tools and outcome measures to ensure your treatment is grounded in real-time feedback and clinical accuracy. These might include:

• Standardized self-report scales for anxiety, depression, trauma, or substance use

• Executive functioning checklists (particularly helpful for adult ADHD)

• Inventories related to emotional regulation, stress, and coping

• Values or mindfulness-based assessments (to enhance ACT-based work)

These tools help us:

• Make sense of your experience within a larger psychological framework

• Track therapeutic progress with objective data

• Adjust interventions as needed to support your evolving goals

Assessment is not a one-time event—it’s a collaborative, ongoing process that ensures your therapy remains personalized, responsive, and effective.

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Stand-Alone Testing & Evaluation Services

In addition to using assessments within ongoing therapy, I also offer comprehensive psychological evaluations and diagnostic consultations as stand-alone services. These are often helpful when:

• You’ve received different or conflicting diagnoses in the past

• You’re starting therapy and want a clearer clinical picture

• You need documentation for academic or workplace accommodations

• You’re considering medication or other treatment options and want to explore diagnosis before doing so

• You’re struggling with symptoms that don’t fit neatly into one category

Testing Services Offered

Depending on your needs, I offer the following types of psychological evaluation:

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✅ Diagnostic Evaluation or Re-evaluation

A focused assessment to determine or confirm a diagnosis such as:

• Anxiety disorders

• Mood disorders (e.g., depression, dysthymia)

• PTSD or trauma-related conditions

• Adult ADHD or executive dysfunction

• Adjustment disorders

Includes clinical interview, self-report inventories, and a written summary with recommendations.

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✅ Full Psychological Battery

This is a more in-depth assessment process that evaluates multiple domains of functioning. A full battery may include:

• Cognitive screening

• Executive functioning and attention

• Emotional and personality measures

• Trauma screening

• Substance use history

• Behavior and impulse regulation

You’ll receive a detailed written report, diagnostic impressions, and practical recommendations you can use in therapy, at work, or in academic settings.

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✅ Screening for Specific Issues

Brief, targeted assessments focused on:

• Anxiety and stress levels

• Depression and mood symptoms

• Grief and adjustment to loss

• Trauma exposure and PTSD risk

• Substance use patterns

• Attention and focus concerns

These are especially useful at intake or during therapy when you’re facing new challenges.

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Evidence-Based, Whole-Person Care

​As a psychologist grounded in ACT, CBT, and mindfulness-based approaches—and informed by the evolving model of process-based therapy (PBT) developed by Hayes, Hoffman & Ciarrochi—I believe that diagnostic clarity should serve as a foundation for growth, not a limitation. A diagnosis can be a helpful step in naming what you’ve been experiencing, offering relief and removing self-blame. But it’s just the beginning.

Rather than focusing solely on labels or static categories, process-based therapy emphasizes the dynamic processes—such as avoidance, rigidity, or lack of emotional awareness—that underlie psychological suffering. These processes are not unique to one diagnosis; they show up across anxiety, trauma, depression, and more. By understanding and targeting these core patterns, therapy becomes more personalized, flexible, and effective—designed around you, not a checklist of symptoms.

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In our work together, we’ll focus on:

• Understanding how your unique strengths interact with areas of struggle

• Exploring how your emotional and behavioral patterns developed in context (including relationships, history, and identity)

• Identifying the internal processes (e.g., rumination, cognitive fusion, experiential avoidance) that may be limiting your growth

• Engaging in values-based actions that move you toward vitality, meaning, and psychological flexibility

Ultimately, I view psychological assessment not as a means to define you, but as a tool for insight, agency, and transformation. By combining diagnostic information with process-based understanding, we create a treatment path that evolves with you—and supports your whole self.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Do I need a full psychological battery to start therapy?  Not at all. Many clients begin therapy with a clinical intake and brief screenings. A full battery is only recommended if your symptoms are complex, you’ve had unclear prior diagnoses, or you're seeking formal documentation or accommodations. In fact, screeners help us to determine current symptoms and how they fluctuate over the duration of our work together. They serve as an objective data point that we use alongside your subjective experience. For some conditions, screeners might also suggest that further evaluation is indicated. If we are engaged in therapy together and a screener suggests that additional assessment is necessary, I will work with you to find an appropriate psychologist who can complete more testing. In that way, we can continue our therapeutic work together and utilize the findings from an objective and third-party source.

2.  What’s the difference between a diagnostic evaluation and a full battery?  A diagnostic evaluation is focused and streamlined—ideal for clarifying a specific concern (like anxiety or ADHD). A full battery is more comprehensive, assessing multiple psychological domains over several sessions. It’s often used for complex diagnostic questions or formal documentation needs.

3. Can I do testing if I’m not doing therapy with you?  Yes. In fact, I only offer stand-alone full assessments to individuals who are NOT in concurrent treatment with me and will provide a detailed report with recommendations you can share with your current provider, psychiatrist, or school/workplace as needed. Please note that availability for these assessments is limited and you may be placed on a wait-list.

4.  Is this kind of testing covered by insurance?  I’m an out-of-network provider, but I can provide what is called a superbill for you to submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement. Coverage varies, so it’s best to check with your individual plan about testing benefits.

5.  How long does testing take?  A diagnostic evaluation typically involves one to two sessions and some questionnaires that may be completed between sessions. A full battery may take 2–4 sessions, depending on the complexity and types of measures used. I’ll discuss a plan and timeline with you during our initial consultation.

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