Question: Where are you located ?
We are located in downtown Asheville. Our address is 14 S Pack Square, Suite #505, Asheville NC 28801. Please take the elevator to the 5th floor, take a left when exiting the elevator, our office is suite #505 on your left. Google Map link
Question: Where do I park?
There is metered parking on the street in front of the office building or you may park in one of the public parking garages (1-2 block walk from our office). The closest garage is Pack Square parking, which is accessed at 4 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC. The Aloft Hotel Public Parking Deck is about 2 blocks away and is accessed at 51 Biltmore Avenue.
Question: How do I set up an evaluation? Which evaluation do I need?
If your child or adolescent is currently enrolled in a therapeutic program in the area, contact the program for assistance in setting up the evaluation.If you are a parent referring your child or adolescent for testing on an individual basis, the first step in the testing process is the completion of a secure, confidential intake form. https://createnc.com/create-intake/
If you have any difficulty completing this form, please call our office manager, Kim, who can help you through the process or take your responses by phone. This intake form will give us a general idea of your concerns and the referral questions and it will help us guide you into selecting the appropriate evaluation. This also allows us to quote a price for the evaluation, which can vary depending on the domains and skills being tested, age of the child/individual, the time it takes to complete the appropriate tests, as well as presenting concerns. Kim will then help you schedule the evaluation.
Question: Do you take insurance?
We are a self-pay practice, so we do not take or file insurance. We will provide you with an itemized receipt (superbill with CPT codes listed) that you can use to file a claim with your insurance company. Most insurance companies designate unique rules for psychological testing (as compared to mental health or medical treatment), which place excessive burden on testing psychologists for lengthy authorizations, denials, and restrictions to the testing process. It is complicated but insurance companies typically do not cover testing if concerns are primarily educational in nature, which can lead to a fragmented evaluation process (medical versus educational). We try to help parents obtain some coverage for testing, if their plan allows, by creating the superbill described above. We may have to charge an additional fee for lengthy prior authorization forms or letters.
Question: How should I prepare my child for testing?
It is important that your child gets a good night’s sleep and has a healthy breakfast on the morning of the day of testing. If your child takes medication, please make sure he or she takes the medication on the day of testing. If you have any specific questions about medications, please let us know.
Question: What should I tell my child about the testing?
Please give your child an explanation about the day of testing ahead of time but keep it simple and developmentally appropriate. Most young children can be told that they will be working with someone on reading, spelling, and math, as well as puzzles and game-like tasks to understand how they learn best. Older children who may be concerned about their struggles in school may be told that they will be working with someone who will help them understand why they are struggling in school and how they learn best. Most children enjoy many of the tasks and the individualized attention from the psychologist.
Question: Should I pack my child lunch/snacks?
Yes, you should pack a healthy lunch for your child and a water bottle. We have filtered water that can be used to refill water. We have a refrigerator for keeping items cold if needed and we have a microwave for heating items if needed. We have healthy snacks at our office, but please feel free to send additional snacks also. Please let the psychologist know if your child has any food allergies.
Question: Does my child get a break during testing?
Absolutely! Typically, for school-aged children and adolescents, the face-to-face testing occurs in one day and lasts about as long as a regular school day with breaks and lunch, sometimes slightly shorter or longer (9:00 – 2:00). Some parents express concern about the “day of testing,” which does sound grueling; however, most school-aged children are able to engage in the testing for this period of time and have the advantage (over a regular school day) of one-to-one interaction with an adult, varied tasks that are often “game-like” in format, and the psychologist who is sensitive to signs of fatigue, disinterest, poor motivation, difficulties with concentration and attention, etc. and will take breaks based on the unique needs of the child (versus a teacher with a classroom of children). Unlike standardized tests that are often given in school, the child does not complete the testing independently in a booklet, working for long periods of time independently. Rather, almost every item of every “test” is given to the child by the psychologist so that there is quite a bit of interaction and conversation throughout the day. Nonetheless, there are occasions when the psychologist may feel that the child is unable to complete the testing in one day, even with numerous breaks, and will schedule an additional session, if necessary. There is a waiting room available for parents who wish to stay and wait while their child is in testing. It is also fine for the parent to leave and come back at the end of the day as long as a phone number is provided where the parent can be reached, if necessary.
Question: When can I expect to receive results or the written report?
A verbal feedback can typically be scheduled within a few days or a week of testing, as long as all testing forms are completed and returned. The written report is usually completed within 2-3 weeks following testing, if all testing forms are returned by the parents and teacher in a timely manner.
Question: What else do I need to bring?
Please bring a copy of school records such as report cards, standardized tests, prior testing, etc. for the psychologist to review. If there are relevant medical issues, a parent may wish to bring documentation or a copy of select medical records. Our office manager will typically discuss what types of records you may need to bring. If you have any questions, please let her know.