A psychological evaluation is a professional assessment of an individual to determine if a diagnosis of a mental health disorder can be made and, or to further understand elements of an individual's personality or social emotional functioning. Psychological evaluations are often conducted to determine the possible source of a child’s academic or social problems, in which case they may be referred
What Is Psychological Evaluation? (Plain Language Explanation)
Psychological Evaluation refers to a pattern of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that many people experience. While it can be challenging, it's also well-understood and treatable.
Key Terms to Know About Psychological Evaluation
- Symptoms: The specific ways psychological evaluation shows up for you
- Triggers: Situations or thoughts that activate or worsen psychological evaluation
- Evidence-based: Treatments backed by scientific research
- Comorbidity: When psychological evaluation occurs alongside other conditions
3 Things Most People Don't Know About Psychological Evaluation
- Psychological Evaluation is far more common than most people realize
- Psychological Evaluation is not caused by weakness — it has identifiable biological and psychological causes
- Most people with psychological evaluation see significant improvement with the right support
Your Next Steps
Learning about psychological evaluation is just the beginning. If you think you're experiencing psychological evaluation, speaking with a mental health professional is the most valuable next step.