Photo of Jesus Leyva, PhD, Psychologist
Jesus Leyva
Psychologist, PhD
Verified Verified
Santa Barbara, CA 93101  (Online Only)
Dr. Jesus Leyva is a clinical psychologist who is licensed in the state of California. Dr. Leyva provides psychological testing and psychotherapy services via Telehealth.
Dr. Jesus Leyva is a clinical psychologist who is licensed in the state of California. Dr. Leyva provides psychological testing and psychotherapy services via Telehealth.
(805) 273-8173 View (805) 273-8173
Photo of Nicholas James Dogris, PhD, QEEG-D, BCN, Psychologist
Nicholas James Dogris
Psychologist, PhD, QEEG-D, BCN
Verified Verified
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
I am the CEO and co-founder of NeuroField, Inc.,a company that develops specialized neurostimulation modalities designed to restore functionality to your brain. Have you ever wondered why psychotherapy fails? Have you or a family member suffered from an injury that impacts the way your brain functions? Do you or your child have problems academically or socially? If your brain is damaged, it's hard to learn new skills and function in the world. One way to correct these problems is with neurotherapy. I am an expert in neurotherpy and have been practicing in the field since 1987.
I am the CEO and co-founder of NeuroField, Inc.,a company that develops specialized neurostimulation modalities designed to restore functionality to your brain. Have you ever wondered why psychotherapy fails? Have you or a family member suffered from an injury that impacts the way your brain functions? Do you or your child have problems academically or socially? If your brain is damaged, it's hard to learn new skills and function in the world. One way to correct these problems is with neurotherapy. I am an expert in neurotherpy and have been practicing in the field since 1987.
(760) 819-7277 View (760) 819-7277
Photo of Veronica Calkins, LCSW, Clinical Social Work/Therapist
Veronica Calkins
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
A Licensed Psychotherapist specializing in trauma, crisis, grief, anxiety, depression, and relationships. Veronica provides an empathetic and caring environment to work through challenges without judgment. Veronica obtained her B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Applied Developmental Psychology and Master’s in Social Welfare at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). She is trained in CBT, DBT, and family and couples therapy. She is also certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and the administration of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and Deep-Brain Theta Stimulation.
A Licensed Psychotherapist specializing in trauma, crisis, grief, anxiety, depression, and relationships. Veronica provides an empathetic and caring environment to work through challenges without judgment. Veronica obtained her B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Applied Developmental Psychology and Master’s in Social Welfare at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). She is trained in CBT, DBT, and family and couples therapy. She is also certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and the administration of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and Deep-Brain Theta Stimulation.
(562) 268-1330 View (562) 268-1330
Testing and Evaluation Therapists

What is a psychological evaluation?

A psychological evaluation is a test or assessment most commonly administered by a trained psychologist that is intended to be used in the diagnosis of specific psychological conditions, such as ADHD, mood disorders, personality disorders, dementia or Alzheimer's, and learning disabilities. Psychological evaluations can help inform future treatment decisions and help direct clients to professionals and resources that may be most helpful, such as potential therapy options or additional school supports.

Can psychological evaluations be done on individuals of any age group?

Psychological evaluations are conducted on individuals of all ages and can be beneficial to individuals across the lifespan. However, specific types of evaluations may be most frequently conducted on individuals of certain age groups. For instance, ADHD or learning disability testing is often conducted in children ages 4-12--the period of time when ADHD symptoms most commonly emerge. In contrast, cognitive functioning assessments, such as those conducted to diagnose dementia, are most commonly conducted in elderly individuals. Clients should ensure that the psychologist they are seeing has specific expertise in conducting evaluations in their age group to ensure they receive a correct diagnosis.

How long does a psychological evaluation take?

Psychological evaluations vary in length depending on the test being administered and the goals of the evaluation; however, most evaluations are 2-4 hours in length. Some evaluations may take as long as 8 hours but can often be spread across multiple days. In some cases, clients will also attend an intake session or interview, which can help the psychologist assess client functioning outside of the testing environment.

How should I prepare for a psychological test and evaluation?

Individuals do not need to prepare for psychological tests or evaluations in most cases, as they are intended to measure a client's baseline psychological status without test-specific preparation. However, clients may want to brainstorm a list of questions for their psychologist about any tests they are receiving prior to the assessment, including what potential outcomes may mean for what next steps the client should take.