Diagnostic Clarification

What Is "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.

Can I Receive Academic Accommodations?

The short answer is, “no.” Our diagnostic clarification assessment is purely for treatment planning purposes only; most insurance plans will not view an assessment for educational purposes (i.e, to receive academic accommodations) as being “medically necessary,” thus they will decline to pay for the service. Additionally, this kind of assessment may lack essential elements that schools, testing companies, or licensing boards may require to qualify for an accommodation. Additionally, our assessment procedures and report may lack essential elements that schools, testing companies, or licensing boards may require to qualify for an accommodation.

Is This Assessment Covered by Insurance Companies?

Typically, yes. We will attempt to verify your insurance benefits; however, verification does not guarantee payment for services. Our team will do their best to review your plan and advise you of your benefits before confirming your appointment, so you can make an informed decision.

How the Process Works:

Clinical Interview

You will meet with your psychologist for 1 to 1.5 hours. During this meeting, they will ask you questions to obtain information for two purposes:

1. To gather relevant historical information and symptoms.

2. To customize the plan for the testing session in order to answer the questions you or your referring provider have.

Testing Session

During the testing session, you will be asked to answer questions verbally, and complete some computerized testing. The time-frame to complete testing takes approximately two hours. Once testing is complete, you and your psychologist will meet for a feedback session.

Feedback Session

Upon completion of the assessment procedures (i.e., interview and testing) and review of any collateral records, you and your psychologist will meet for approximately one hour to discuss overall impression, diagnoses, and recommendations. You will also receive a completed comprehensive report no later than seven days from the date of your feedback session - we can also send this report to another healthcare provider upon your request and a signed release of information.

Get Started

Step 1

Schedule your assessment online or by calling us at 281-402-9227.

Step 2

New patient paperwork will be sent to you in advance of your clinical interview appointment to be completed via our secure HIPAA-compliant platform. (Please complete and submit your paperwork no later than 24 hours prior to your appointment).

Step 3

Meet with your psychologist in person, or, over video using our HIPAA-compliant platform - a link will be emailed to you to access your appointment in advance.