The primary benefits of an evaluation include diagnostic clarification, appropriate treatment recommendations to handle challenges and maximize strengths, a written report to facilitate services in the community or at school, and insight into the nature of your/your child’s strengths and weaknesses. Although most individuals have a positive experience during the evaluation process, there are some risks. The individual being evaluated may experience discomfort (frustration, anxiety, embarrassment, etc). Also, it is possible that the evaluation will not answer all of desired questions, and further evaluation may be needed. While the assessment and treatment recommendations are based on best practices, you or others may not agree with the conclusions. It is your decision whether to follow the recommendations.                                                                             INITIAL BELOW.

Through the use of a variety of standard psychological tests, we will attempt to answer the questions that have brought you/your child in for an evaluation. These questions generally concern learning disabilities, intellectual functioning, cognitive functioning, personality functioning, development functioning, or coping styles. Throughout the evaluation process you have the right to inquire about the nature or purpose of all procedures. The assessment process generally involves an informational interview followed by the administration of psychological, neuropsychological, developmental, language, and/or educational tests. Although it is sometimes possible to complete the testing procedure in one sitting, it is common for patients to be asked to return for another session to finish the assessment battery. Once testing is completed, the data will be analyzed and a report will be written. In most cases you will then have the opportunity to meet with your/your child's evaluator to discuss the results and receive a copy of the report.                                                                                                                                                                           INITIAL BELOW

It is important to understand that NHWS does not perform custody evaluations for children, which is a highly specialized field. In addition, the Clinic does not perform psychosexual psychological evaluations. If you are considering using the results of an evaluation for a custody dispute or for legal purposes, please consult with experts in those areas. INITAL BELOW                                    

You/your child will be tested or evaluated by a person with the following credentials:                                                            Psychometrician – a psychometrician is trained in the administration of psychological, educational, developmental, and neuropsychological tests under the supervision of a licensed psychologist.                                                                              Practicum Student – a practicum student is a graduate student who is pursuing a doctoral degree, and is gaining their experience in the field of psychological assessment. All practicum students have had other types of clinical training, and have a master’s degree in a related field of psychology. Practicum students receive extensive and close supervision with a licensed psychologist who remains responsible for the client’s well-being and the results of the evaluation                                                     Pre-Doctoral Intern – a pre-doctoral intern has completed five years of academic and clinical training in a doctoral program, and has passed rigorous comprehensive and clinical competency examinations. The pre-doctoral internship is an intensive, supervised, 2000-hour work experience completed during the final phase of the doctoral program. Pre-doctoral interns are supervised by licensed psychologists who are responsible for the client’s well-being and the results of the evaluation.                     INITIAL BELOW

The type(s) of feedback you/your child will receive may include: A comprehensive written report that provides findings for each measure, an integrative summary, and recommendations for treatment and/or other interventions and in-person, verbal feedback. A brief, written summary report (approximately one page) that provides an overview of findings and recommendations.                                                                                                                                                                                  NOTE: Please be advised that if you/your child are referred by an agency (e.g. Development Disabilities, Social Security Disabilities, DHS Child Welfare, etc.) a comprehensive report will be provided to the referring agency. In-person verbal feedback will not be provided unless requested by the agency. We are available to consult with other mental health professionals, schools, or other agencies regarding the findings. Our turn-around time for reports is typically 6 to 8 weeks, depending on the complexity of the evaluation.    INITIAL BELOW

A fee structure will be provided to you prior your/your child’s initial appointment. Evaluation fees are billed at an hourly rate for all assessment procedures, including time spent reviewing records; conducting interviews; administering, scoring, and interpreting assessment measures; consulting with applicable professionals; writing the report; and conducting a feedback session. We will provide you with an estimated cost of your evaluation during your/your child’s initial appointment. (See Financial Agreement for fee details). Some insurance companies cover the cost of psychological evaluations. Please contact your insurance to inquire about your coverage.                                                                                                                                            INITIAL BELOW

We understand there are times you may need to cancel or reschedule an appointment. We kindly ask for at least 72 hours cancellation notice via phone. Please be aware that if you do not contact us within this timeframe, you will be billed for the 3 to 6 hour block of time set aside for you/your child. It is important to note that insurance companies do not provide reimbursement for missed appointments.                                                                                                                                                                               INITIAL BELOW

NHWS committed to preserving the privacy of your personal health information. Additionally, NHWS is required by Federal law (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, known) and by State law to protect the privacy of your/your child's personal information and to give you a Notice that describes (a) how clinical information about you/your child may be used and disclosed and (b) how you can get access to this information. Please ask for a copy of the HIPAA Notice of Policies and Practices should you wish to have a complete copy for your records.                                                                                                                                    INITIAL BELOW

In general, the privacy of all communication between a patient and a psychologist is protected by law. In most situations, we can only release information about your treatment to others with your written permission. But there are a few exceptions.In most legal proceedings you have the right to prevent me from providing any information about your treatment. In some proceedings involving child custody and those in which your emotional condition is an important issue, a judge may order my testimony if he/she determines that issues demand it. There are some situations in which we are legally obligated to take action to protect others from harm, even if I have to reveal some information about a patient’s evaluation. For example, if we believe that a child, elderly person, or disabled person is being abused, we may be required to file a report with the appropriate state agency.              If we believe that you/your child are threatening serious bodily harm to another, we may be required to take protective actions. These actions may include notifying the potential victim, contacting the police, or seeking hospitalization for the patient. If the patient threatens to harm himself/herself, we may be obligated to seek hospitalization for him/her or to contact family members or others who can help provide protection.These situations have rarely occurred in this clinic.                                                           If a situation occurs, we will make every effort to fully discuss it with you before taking any action. We may occasionally find it helpful to consult other professionals about a case. During a consultation, we make every effort to avoid revealing the identity of the patient. The consultant is also legally bound to keep the information confidential. If you don’t object, we will not tell you about these consultations unless we feel that it is important to our work together.While this written summary of exceptions to confidentiality should prove helpful in informing you about the potential problems, it is important that we discuss any questions or concerns that you may have.                                                                                                                                                                INITIAL BELOW

In the state of Oregon, minors 14 years of age and older are able to independently consent to or receive mental health services and to disclose/release information with parental permission. While privacy in psychotherapy is very important, particularly with adolescents, parental involvement is also essential to successful treatment and this may require that some private information be shared with parents. It is our policy not to provide mental health services to children under the age of 18 unless they agree that we can share general information about the progress of treatment and attendance at scheduled sessions with parents. Before giving parents any information, we will discuss it with the minor if possible, and do our best to handle any objections he/she may have, unless we feel that the child is in danger or is a danger to someone else, in which case, we will notify the parents (or other authorities) of our concern immediately and regardless of any objections the minor may have to us doing so.      INITIAL BELOW

f you share legal custody and your divorce decree notes that you must inform the other parent of health appointments, please note that our services fall under this, and you may be in violation of a court order if you fail to inform the other parent of our services with your child. Also note that to provide consent for treatment for your child you must either have sole legal custody or have shared legal custody, and if you have no legal custody you cannot provide consent for treatment. By initialing and signing below you are stating that you have the legal right to consent for this child. In the case of separation or divorce, any matter brought to our attention by either parent regarding the child may be revealed to the other parent. Matters which are brought to our attention that are irrelevant to the child’s welfare may be kept in confidence. However, these matters may best be brought to the attention of others, such as attorneys, personal therapists or counselors.                                                                                INITIAL BELOW

The laws and standards of our profession request us to keep records. You are entitled to receive a copy of your/your child’s records, or a summary can be prepared for you instead. Because these are professional records, they can be misinterpreted and/or upsetting to untrained readers. If you wish to see your/your child’s records, we recommend that you review them with your/your child’s evaluator so that he/she can discuss the content. You will be charged an appropriate fee for any professional time spent preparing, copying, and mailing your records. Payment is required before records are sent or picked up. Record requests are typically able to be handled within 2 weeks of the request. NOTE: Please be advised, in the event we receive a subpoena or request for records regarding your records, our office staff will contact you to obtain your written consent.                 INITIAL BELOW

Written records are released only after a consent form is signed by the client or their Parent/Legal Guardian.                          INITIAL BELOW