LEP #4688
Educational & Psychological Services
FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a psychoeducation evalution right for my child?
Psycho-educational testing uncovers the source of many learning challenges. You may not know if your child has a disability or disorder; you only know the struggles they are having. During a psychoeducational assessment, we delve into understanding your child’s cognitive, behavioral, and learning profiles, revealing their strengths as well as uncovering specific concerns. We look at not only the what but the why. Evaluations provide clarity and help for your child to thrive.
Do I need a referral from a doctor?
No, you do not.
What happens after I get the evaluation results?
We meet to review it together, answer questions, and provide helpful recommendations for therapies, professionals to follow up with, community resources, and more.
Do you offer in-person or virtual services?
I offer in person services at my Irvine office location. Testing sessions are required to be in person. Other meetings (consultations, assessment reviews, intake, feedback sessions) can be held virtually at your request.
How do you support parents and guardians?
We empower parents and guardians with the knowledge and tools to advocate for their children. Services include IEP/504 plan guidance, review and consultation of educational documents, and training in special education law basics. We also support families in understanding their child’s unique learning needs so they feel knowledgeable and confident to support their child.
Do you accept insurance?
At this time, we do not accept insurance. However, we can provide a superbill for you to provide to your insurance to inquire about possible reimbursement for the cost of a private self-pay evaluation. It is recommended that you contact your insurance company prior to initiating services in order to better understand your out-of-network benefits.
How do you support adults?
We support adults to identify underlying learning difficulties that may be impacting their workplace or educational performance, such as dyslexia or ADHD. Together, we can discover what inventions and support are needed to improve study skills, time management, organization, comprehension, etc.
Can you provide a diagnosis?
Yes. Depending on the scope and reason for your referral, a diagnosis based on criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition Text Revision (DSM-5 TR) is provided.
How much are your evaluations?
The cost of evaluations can vary based on the specific services and assessments needed. To provide an accurate quote, I offer a free consultation by the end of the consultation you’ll have a clear understanding of your options and the costs involved before moving forward.
Who can benefit from your evaluations?
We evaluate preschoolers, children, preteens, adolescents, and adults. Our scope of practice includes ADHD, Autism, learning disabilities, dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, anxiety, depression, and more. Our evaluations look at the whole picture to learn who your child is and how their unique profile affects their learning so we can find the right support to help them thrive.
How do I get started?
Reach out through my interest form to schedule a free 20 minute consultation. We will discuss your needs and determine the best way to support you and your child.
What should I tell my child about the evaluation?
As a general rule, you tell them how much you are comfortable with sharing while taking their developmental level into consideration. It’s important that your child knows that this process is about understanding the way they learn and how we can better support them in school. The entire evaluation is about them and it is important that they have a voice and an understanding of their strengths and weaknesses. Additional tips and talking points will be shared depending on your specific situation.
What can I expect during the evaluation process?
With assessments, we begin with a free 20 minute phone consultation to see if you feel I can meet your needs and to better understand your concerns. Then, we meet for an intake meeting where we develop a plan for the evaluation and complete a thorough review of your child’s health and developmental background as well as your child’s educational history. Assessment time may range from 1.5-8 hours, spread across 1-3 sessions. Afterward, I’ll provide a detailed report and recommendations, followed by a feedback meeting to discuss the results and next steps.
What are Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs)?
lEEs are comprehensive evaluations requested through a school district when a parent is in disagreement with the district’s evaluation findings. An IEE is conducted by a qualified evaluator who is not employed by the school district, which will provide an unbiased professional opinion. A psychoeducational IEE typically includes records reviews, observations, interviews, assessment of academic functioning, cognitive/psychological processing skills, behavioral functioning, and adaptive behavior (if needed). My attendance in one IEP meeting is also included to review my findings and advocate for appropriate educational planning. You may contact me if you are considering requesting an IEE for your child. Districts will provide you a list of qualified evaluators, but parents may also request a qualified evaluator of their choosing.
How long does an evaluation take?
Depending on the areas we are assessing, an evaluation may include 1.5-8 hours of testing and 2 hours of consultation. The entire process from an initial consultation to a final consultation to review the results and recommendations will take approximately 4-6 weeks.
What can I expect with the consultation process?
We begin with a free 20 minute phone consultation to see if you feel I can meet your needs and to better understand your concerns. Subsequent consultation sessions will vary in length depending on your needs and are prorated per 15 minute period after the initial hour.
Why should I see a Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP) instead of a Child Psychologist or Clinical Psychologist?
If you are looking to use the evaluation to assist in getting your child support and services in school, an LEP is well-versed in special education services and Section 504 eligibility. LEPs specialize in the assessment and treatment of educational and emotional issues that can impact a child’s ability to learn and thrive in school. LEPs can help you navigate the public school system and better understand CA educational code and federal eligibility criteria for special education and how those are different from diagnostic criteria used by other psychologists within the medical model.
What type of payment do you accept?
We accept cash, Zelle, and credit cards.
When are payments due?
Assessment payments are requested in two installments: 50% of the cost at the beginning of services and the remaining 50% payable upon completion and review of the assessment report. Full payment for consultation sessions is due at the time of services rendered.
There is no cost to families participating in an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) through a school district because the district will provide payment with prior approval. Once the contract has been created with the district, the contract is considered binding through the completion of the assessment, unless both parties agree to terms presented within the contract.
What is your cancellation policy?
We require 48 hours advanced notice for cancellations and/or rescheduling requests. We understand that urgent matters sometimes arise, so we will not charge a fee for the first missed session. Subsequent missed sessions or late cancellations will incur a $50 fee payable prior to the next scheduled appointment.
What cities do you serve?
We are based in Irvine, CA and see clients throughout Orange and LA Counties. For virtual services, we see clients across the state of CA. Our office is centrally located and easily accessible conveniently off of the 405 and 73 freeways.
Do I work with you, interns, or other assessors?
All students and families work directly with me. Instead of working with psychometricians, interns, or assistants, all clients work with me from start to finish.
What are your hours of operation?
From Mid-August through May, our hours are the following: M, T, W, F 3:30pm-7pm and Saturday9am-5pm.
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From June - Mid August, our hours are the following: Monday through Friday 9am-5pm and Saturday 9am-5pm
Do you have a Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP) in your practice?
We do not; however, we can refer you to a few different local trusted speech and language centers who have exceptional SLPs, Occupational Therapists, and Physical Therapists ready and willing to provide you and your child with the support you need