FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATIONS: DISCOVER YOUR STRENGTHS
What is a psychological evaluation?
- A psychological evaluation is the collection and integration of information on an individual’s functioning, to inform treatment planning. It includes evidence-based assessment measures (interviews, questionnaires, and tests) that are carefully chosen to answer your specific questions and concerns. It is a therapeutic intervention in that it provides in-depth data that helps you and your treatment team, because you deserve the most efficient, effective, and compassionate care.
- During a psychological evaluation, you will meet with Dr. Emily Crawford-Thompson, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist, to discuss areas of your life that are puzzling or troubling to you.
- Dr. Emily will ask you questions about you and your concerns and ask you to complete tasks and questionnaires designed to help you, and help your treatment providers provide you with the best care.
- A psychological evaluation allows for more accurate diagnosis and treatment, which saves on overall costs for mental health services.
Emily Crawford-Thompson, Ph.D. is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who does a variety of evaluations for teenagers and adults (individuals age 16 and older).
- Dr. Emily Crawford-Thompson, Ph.D. has specialized experience since 2009 in psychological evaluations including:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder in Teenagers and Adults(“Asperger’s”), using standardized semi-structured interviews for Autism such as the ADOS-2 and MIGDAS-2.
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), using objective measures of sustained attention and effort
- Learning Disorders in Reading, Writing, and Math
- College Board Test (ACT/SAT) and College Accommodations for ADHD and Learning Disorders
- Independent Educational Evaluations (IEE)
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other effects of trauma
- Diagnostic Clarity
- Strengths-Based Treatment Recommendations
- Anxiety, Mood, and Thought Disorders
- Behavioral Concerns
- Personality/Interpersonal Patterns
- Intellectual Ability/IQ Testing
- Independent Living Skills
- Guardianship
- Bariatric Pre-Surgical Evaluations
- Pain Stimulator Pre-Surgical Evaluations
- Transplant Pre-Surgical Evaluations
- Emotional Support Animal Letters
How will an Evaluation Help Me?
- Are you a teen or adult who wonders about the possibility of Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, PTSD, or another diagnosis(es)? I do comprehensive psychological evaluations with the best evidence-based measures in order to differentiate diagnosis, so that you can be confident in your results and treatment recommendations, including College Board Test (ACT/SAT) and College Accommodations for ADHD and Learning Disorders.
- While clarifying diagnosis and making treatment recommendations is certainly a large part of what I do, I also try to help you discover and restore your true identity. I focus on “what’s right” with you, and help uncover strengths that you may not have realized were strengths, or that may have been dormant and hidden for a long time. People who meet with me find that I make this process both comfortable and rewarding.
- Learn what is right; heal what is left When I ask people what their goals are, I often hear, “I want to know what’s wrong with me.” While I will help you learn more about your struggles and how to heal them, I also emphasize learning what is “right” with you. I help you discover your strengths in the midst of the struggle. I take my time to really get to know you and understand how you see yourself, and the use of standardized assessment tools ensures that you are getting the most accurate information about you and the diagnosis(es) or struggles you have.
- Do you want to know more about your personality or why you do what you do? Maybe there is something that you have been struggling with for a long time, and you feel “stuck” and hopeless about making progress. I have a lot of experience helping people get “unstuck” from a variety of complex problems, with my psychological evaluation process. In this process, I take my time with you to really get to know you and hear you talk about yourself. I believe that people know themselves better than they are often given credit for, and each and every individual deserves to be really listened to and heard.
- With our evidence-based and collaborative psychological evaluations, you learn a lot about yourself and you walk away with a tangible product that you can review every time you need a bit of hope or encouragement-when you complete an evaluation with me, I provide you with a comprehensive and strengths-focused written report with detailed and practical recommendations for treatment and services. I also discuss all the results with you and answer your questions in a detailed feedback session. Evaluation is an intervention that creates an opportunity for a detailed dialogue and objective understanding of your concerns and treatment goals.
How will an Evaluation Help my Teenager?
- An evaluation can help us better understand the reasons why your teen may be having problems with mood, learning, and/or behavior.
- An evaluation provides clarity on any relevant diagnosis(es) such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, PTSD, or other diagnosis(es), and offers detailed and thorough treatment recommendations, including College Board Test (ACT/SAT) and College Accommodations for ADHD and Learning Disorders.
- An evaluation can also serve as a bridge between your teenager and the school and/or community support services that they may need.
- A thorough evaluation of cognitive and social-emotional domains helps you understand your teenager better and make more informed decisions about their future.
- An evaluation provides a comprehensive, holistic understanding of your teenager’s strengths and challenges or areas of needed growth.
- An evaluation is an investment in your teen’s future.
How will an Evaluation Help my Counselor?
- Completing a psychological evaluation accelerates your therapy progress. Psychological evaluations help you hit the ground running by identifying treatment goals, and focusing in on the most pressing issues with a more in-depth understanding of the specific symptoms and struggles you are experiencing.
- Each evaluation report contains thorough data and summaries of all the tests, diagnosis(es), and specific and practical treatment recommendations and resources. An evaluation provides clarity on any relevant diagnosis(es) such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, PTSD, or other diagnosis(es), and offers detailed and thorough treatment recommendations, including College Board Test (ACT/SAT) and College Accommodations for ADHD and Learning Disorders.
- In addition, psychological evaluations help you become more aware of one of your most powerful inner resources-your strengths. Every person has a purpose. Every person has a message. Every person has a unique set of strengths. It is my life’s passion to help you discover or re-discover who you really are. You are NOT your symptoms, diagnosis, or struggle. Your strengths are an untapped resource and major clue into who you are. It is my pleasure and honor to help empower you to discover these strengths, which will help you in current and future struggles. Psychological Evaluations help you and your counselor build on your strengths.
- In addition, many people find that the process of participating in a psychological evaluation fosters increased insight, as the questions you are asked naturally lead to self-reflection and raise awareness of patterns in thinking and relationships.
What is the Process like?
A psychological evaluation with Dr. Emily Crawford-Thompson, Ph.D. takes place in three sessions:
- In the first session, you will meet with Dr. Emily for about an hour so that she can learn more about you and your history, understand what problems or concerns you are currently experiencing, and learn about your goals for the evaluation. You are encouraged to reflect on areas of your life that are puzzling or troubling to you.
- In the second session, you will meet with Dr. Emily again for anywhere from 2-4 hours to answer some more specific questions tailored to your individual needs. You will likely complete some standardized, evidence-based questionnaires, which will help you learn more about your personality, any possible diagnosis, and specific recommendations to help you, your counselor, and your other treatment providers. Depending on your goals, you might also be asked to participate in some tasks that help us learn more about your strengths as well as areas where you might need help. You are not expected to answer everything correctly or to excel at everything, there is no way to “fail” a psych eval, and so you are simply asked to do the best you can. Every effort is made to ensure your comfort throughout the evaluation (e.g. snack breaks and opportunities to ask questions, etc.), and most people find that the time goes by surprisingly fast.
- After Dr. Emily reviews all the data, a comprehensive report is written and provided to you in the third session, a feedback session (about an hour) in which you have the opportunity to review all the results and recommendations and ask questions about the report, which is yours to keep. Dr. Emily emphasizes a collaborative, humanistic approach to evaluation that highlights your strengths and promotes resilience.
How Long will it take?
- During the testing (second) session, you will meet with Dr. Emily for anywhere from 2-4 hours to answer specific questions tailored to your individual needs. Knowledge is power, and psychological evaluations help us gain knowledge about the whole person to a depth that can’t be achieved in a one-hour counseling session. The standardized, evidence-based assessment measures (questionnaires and tasks) are some of the most objective and scientific tools that we have in the mental health field. These measures provide you with valuable information about yourself.
- Your health is important, and deciding on the type of counseling or medications or other treatment is a big decision. It is wise to gather as much data and information as possible before making any major decision. Psychological Evaluations help you gather data to make the most informed decisions about your mental health treatment.
- Remember, the time goes by quickly, most people find the process interesting and comfortable, and I sure do let you take breaks!
- After I have compiled all the data, I will discuss all the results and recommendations with you, and give you a copy of your detailed evaluation report.
What do you think about Personality Disorders?
- It is not uncommon for individuals with a trauma history to develop ways of relating to themselves and other people that reflect wounds. Trauma can wound us in many ways; for example, in one evidence-based treatment for trauma, Cognitive Processing Therapy, we address how trauma has affected the ability to trust, feel safe, have a sense of power or control, be intimate or close with others, and hold people (including ourselves) in high esteem or regard. Rather than judging interpersonal patterns as a “disordered personality,” I prefer to think of these patterns as a complex reaction to trauma.
- In general, diagnostic labels are useful when they are used correctly; that is, to communicate a lot of information in a succinct manner that facilitates treatment. Beyond that, they are just a term that should not ever be used in a manner that judges, causes shame, or encourages stigma.
- Interested readers might also take note that Marsha Linehan, Ph.D., the psychologist who developed the treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder, acknowledged that she herself has had this diagnosis. This should give all those who have received such a label hope that no diagnosis, no matter how stigmatizing its label appears to be, need prevent you or limit you in any way from living into your full potential. After all, Dr. Linehan is a very successful psychologist and professor who has helped a great deal of people.
Do you take insurance?
- Check with your individual provider here, as some of our providers may be in network with insurance.
- In order to provide you with the highest quality care, Dr. Emily and her supervisees are NOT in network with insurance. You may be able to submit to insurance for reimbursement under your out of network coverage. Upon request, Dr. Emily will provide a super bill showing the services invoiced. Dr. Emily and her
supervisees do not bill insurance directly, nor do we communicate with insurance on your behalf. You might find assistance with resources such as the Missouri insurance commissioner or www.reimbursify.com. Please verify with your insurance any out of network coverage you may have if you plan to submit to insurance. - Since Dr. Emily does not directly bill health insurance plans, payment for services is required in order to reserve an appointment. Please note that your psychological services are tax deductible when paying out-of-pocket.
- Insurance companies often work better with you directly, as they want to keep your business, than they do with us healthcare providers. Your insurance company is invested in keeping you happy, and therefore is likely to reimburse you in a shorter amount of time compared to provider reimbursement schedules.
- Here is information for you to ask your insurance company for reimbursement: When asking your insurance carrier about the possibility of getting reimbursed for your psychological services, ask about these specific “CPT codes” that are used for psychological services: 90791 (initial interview), 96136 (1st 30 minutes of testing/scoring), 96137 (each additional 30 min. testing/scoring)96130 (first hour interpretation/report-writing), 96131 (each additional hour interpretation/report-writing), 90837 (feedback/therapy session), and 90853 for group therapy.
- I am not contracted with insurance companies because, particularly when it comes to psychological evaluations, I believe that treatment works best when you and I make the decisions about your care in a way that does not include unnecessary restrictions from a third-party insurance company. This is because when providers contract with insurance companies, insurance companies often delay the start of treatment, limit the amount or type of treatment that can be provided, require certain mental health diagnoses (and reject to reimburse certain diagnoses), and require the release of your private information. The insurance company decides what is “medically necessary,” what tests I can and cannot use, how much time I spend with you, and how much time I spend compiling your evaluation report.
- In the interest of providing you with the most efficient and highest quality care, I am not on insurance panels. This means that you get scheduled with me very quickly, due to the treatment delays and hassles caused by health insurance companies. The unreasonably low reimbursement rates that providers who contract with insurance companies are forced to accept means seeing more clients within a shorter amount of time, thus providing less quality care. At Columbia Psychology Healing Center LLC, we believe in efficient and quality care.
What are your payment policies and fees?
- Read more about our individual providers’ policies and fees here.
- For Dr. Emily and her supervisees, the scheduling portal is set up so that you can simply pay with a credit card to reserve your appointments. Please keep in mind that no-shows or late cancellations (less than 24 hours) may not be fully refunded. Dr. Emily does understand that life happens, and will make every effort to accommodate you and reschedule.
- Initial interview (1st session) $250
- Testing (2ndsession) $2000 (most testing is 3-4 hours, and an additional 7-10 hours is spent scoring/interpreting tests, compiling collateral information, reviewing any available records, gathering treatment recommendations/resources, and writing the report. You are not being charged for the cost of the testing materials, which are significant.) Dr. Emily Crawford-Thompson or her postdoc personally administers, scores, and interprets all tests. NO psychometrists are utilized. Learning Disorder Evaluations are $2500 as they require additional testing and report-writing time.
- Feedback (3rdsession) $250
- Bariatric, pain, or transplant Evaluations take place in one session $600
- Individual counseling sessions $200
- Group counseling sessions $40
- Individual counseling sessions with Dr. Emily’s PLPC Interns are $100
COUNSELING:RELEASE YOUR BURDENS
If this is an emergency, please contact 911 or your local emergency room. If you are in crisis, please call the national suicide prevention lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, or NAMI at 1-800-950-6264. You are not alone, and help is available for you!
How is therapy different from talking with my friends?
If you are looking for an objective perspective outside of your circle of friends and family, talking with a therapist is recommended. A therapist is also required to keep things confidential, so you can rest assured that what you share will be kept completely private, and no one except your therapist has to know about it (with the exception of immediate concerns about safety, which are discussed up front). At Columbia Psychology Healing Center LLC, your therapist has also completed training in evidence-based treatments that work, which means that your healing journey is expedited.
What are the different approaches offered at Columbia Psychology Healing Center, LLC?
There are many different therapy approaches offered at Columbia Psychology Healing Center LLC. You are encouraged to read more about what each individual provider offers here. When possible, Dr. Emily personally prefers to begin counseling with a comprehensive psychological evaluation. Dr. Emily incorporates strengths-based assessment approaches throughout the counseling process, using data that guides the most efficient and helpful treatment for you. Dr. Emily’s therapy includes aspects of person-centered therapy, which means that collaborating with you and encouraging you to discover and build on your inner resources and strengths. Every person has a unique and important purpose, and we are passionate about helping you discover yours. Dr. Emily also uses values-based approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and other values-based techniques including mindfulness. Your values reflect what is important to you, why you respond the way you do in different situations, and how you make decisions. Dr. Emily enjoys helping you get clear on what your values are, so that you have more knowledge about yourself and more power to make informed decisions that improve the quality of your life and help you achieve your full potential.
Dr. Emily has experience counseling trauma survivors since 2009 with Cognitive Processing Therapy, an evidence-based treatment for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). You can read more about it here or click here for a brief video explaining CPT. Dr. Emily also trains other mental health providers in this treatment. Several randomized clinical trials and effectiveness studies have provided evidence for CPT significantly reducing symptoms of PTSD and depression among survivors of various trauma including combat, sexual assault, child abuse, and domestic violence.
How do I choose a therapist?
It is vital that you feel comfortable with your therapist, and that you feel that you can trust him or her. I recommend that if you are not feeling this way after 3 or 4 sessions, you have a conversation with your therapist about other options. Perhaps you can continue working together with a different approach, or perhaps a different therapist is a better fit for you. Therapists are people too, with their own personalities and styles, and it is important that you find one that works for you. Do not hesitate to ask for a different therapist; we understand this and you will not hurt our feelings. We want what is best for you. Also, if you ever find yourself in a situation where the therapist is talking about themselves more than they are listening to you, please know that this is not o.k., and find a qualified therapist who will serve your needs.
What ages do you work with?
Most ages are served here at Columbia Psychology Healing Center LLC. Read more about our individual providers here. Dr. Emily Crawford-Thompson, Ph.D. is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who does a variety of evaluations, and some counseling services, for teenagers and adults (individuals age 16 and older).
Do you take insurance?
- Check with your individual provider here, as some of our providers may be in network with insurance.
- In order to provide you with the highest quality care, Dr. Emily and her supervisees are NOT in network with insurance. You may be able to submit to insurance for reimbursement under your out of network coverage. Upon request, Dr. Emily will provide a super bill showing the services invoiced. Dr. Emily and her
supervisees do not bill insurance directly, nor do we communicate with insurance on your behalf. You might find assistance with resources such as the Missouri insurance commissioner or www.reimbursify.com. Please verify with your insurance any out of network coverage you may have if you plan to submit to insurance. - Since Dr. Emily does not directly bill health insurance plans, payment for services is required in order to reserve an appointment. Please note that your psychological services are tax deductible when paying out-of-pocket.
- Insurance companies often work better with you directly, as they want to keep your business, than they do with us healthcare providers. Your insurance company is invested in keeping you happy, and therefore is likely to reimburse you in a shorter amount of time compared to provider reimbursement schedules.
- Here is information for you to ask your insurance company for reimbursement: When asking your insurance carrier about the possibility of getting reimbursed for your psychological services, ask about these specific “CPT codes” that are used for psychological services: 90791 (initial interview), 96136 (1st 30 minutes of testing/scoring), 96137 (each additional 30 min. testing/scoring)96130 (first hour interpretation/report-writing), 96131 (each additional hour interpretation/report-writing), 90837 (feedback/therapy session), and 90853 for group therapy.
- I am not contracted with insurance companies because, particularly when it comes to psychological evaluations, I believe that treatment works best when you and I make the decisions about your care in a way that does not include unnecessary restrictions from a third-party insurance company. This is because when providers contract with insurance companies, insurance companies often delay the start of treatment, limit the amount or type of treatment that can be provided, require certain mental health diagnoses (and reject to reimburse certain diagnoses), and require the release of your private information. The insurance company decides what is “medically necessary,” what tests I can and cannot use, how much time I spend with you, and how much time I spend compiling your evaluation report.
- In the interest of providing you with the most efficient and highest quality care, I am not on insurance panels. This means that you get scheduled with me very quickly, due to the treatment delays and hassles caused by health insurance companies. The unreasonably low reimbursement rates that providers who contract with insurance companies are forced to accept means seeing more clients within a shorter amount of time, thus providing less quality care. At Columbia Psychology Healing Center LLC, we believe in efficient and quality care.
What are your payment policies and fees?
- Read more about our individual providers’ policies and fees here.
- For Dr. Emily and her supervisees, the scheduling portal is set up so that you can simply pay with a credit card to reserve your appointments. Please keep in mind that no-shows or late cancellations (less than 24 hours) may not be fully refunded. Dr. Emily does understand that life happens, and will make every effort to accommodate you and reschedule.
- Initial interview (1st session) $250
- Testing (2ndsession) $2000 (most testing is 3-4 hours, and an additional 7-10 hours is spent scoring/interpreting tests, compiling collateral information, reviewing any available records, gathering treatment recommendations/resources, and writing the report. You are not being charged for the cost of the testing materials, which are significant.) Dr. Emily Crawford-Thompson or her postdoc personally administers, scores, and interprets all tests. NO psychometrists are utilized. Learning Disorder Evaluations are $2500 as they require additional testing and report-writing time.
- Feedback (3rdsession) $250
- Bariatric, pain, or transplant Evaluations take place in one session $600
- Individual counseling sessions $200
- Group counseling sessions $40
- Individual counseling sessions with Dr. Emily’s PLPC Interns are $100
SPIRITUAL CARE AND CHAPLAIN SERVICES: RECEIVE YOUR HEALING
If this is an emergency, please contact 911 or your local emergency room. If you are in crisis, please call the national suicide prevention lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, or NAMI at 1-800-950-6264. You are not alone, and help is available for you!
Please call 573-818-7010, or send us a message using the forms at the bottom of this page, to set up a time to talk with Chaplain Laird.
What is a Chaplain?
- Theologically & Professionally Trained
- Denominationally Endorsed & Ordained
- Pastoral, Spiritual & Emotional Care Provider
- Educated with 72-90 hr. Masters of Divinity Degree
- Clinically Board Certified with 4 Units/1 year Post Graduate CPE
- Highly Skilled & Broadly Trained for Specific Settings-
Military, Hospitals, Hospice & Caregiving Facilities
Large Companies, Organizations, Civil Service Fire and Police
Departments with employees/clients of diverse spiritual beliefs
What do Chaplains Do?
- Help people of All Faiths, Beliefs, & Philosophies in times of Distress.
- Minister Ecumenically from Faith Tradition OR Provide Supportive Spiritual Care by connecting clients to their Faith Community, Religious Practices and Leaders.
- Provide Pastoral Care & Emotional Support for Grief, Injury or Distress to the Soul.
- Provide Pastoral Counseling with a Biblical, Ethical & Moral World View OR Secular Care.
- Provide Client Centered Care Respecting & Honoring Client’s Faith and Beliefs.
- Educate, Encourage & Life Coach in Multi-Discipline Areas ie. Addiction Recovery.
- Do NOT Proselytize, Cause Harm, or Disrespect Beliefs, Faith or Practices of others.
- Promote Spiritual Fitness, Wellbeing, Resiliency, and Self-care.
What ages do you work with?
Chaplain Laird offers life coaching services for 6th graders and older (individuals age 12 and older).
What are your payment policies and fees?
Chaplain (MAJOR) “CHAP” Laird Thompson, U.S. Army Retired 1991-2017 is an Ordained Chaplain who has served in the Army, Hospital, Hospice, and Healthcare Settings. He has 28 years of ministry and leadership experience in the U.S. Army, Civilian Ministries, and Healthcare Organizations. He has his Masters of Divinity, and he offers individual life coaching sessions for $70/hour. Discounted rates are available for veterans and students.
