Psychological Evaluation, Assessment & Testing in Raleigh, North Carolina

Before an individual is admitted into our detox or clinical assessment program, we conduct a pre-screening over the phone to determine the severity of their symptoms. If a person is going through withdrawal from drugs or alcohol, we may recommend that they enter our medical detox program to become stable and sober before continuing.

Each client will be assigned a case manager who will oversee their treatment and update their family or loved ones, if applicable. Our dedicated case management services are a cornerstone of our detox and assessment programs, allowing us to formulate highly personalized treatment plans that target the root causes of a person's mental illness or addiction.

Over the course of a week, clients in our psychological evaluation track will meet one-on-one with our experienced mental health team and undergo a series of psycho-diagnostic and biopsychosocial assessments. During these assessments, clinicians will ask questions about clients' medical and family history, mental status, physical health, past traumas, and any chronic or new symptoms they may be experiencing. At the conclusion of the assessment period, clients will have a feedback session with their treatment team, including loved ones if appropriate, and the team will help develop an effective aftercare plan.

During the clinical assessment period, our mental health team may recommend certain medications or other treatments to help alleviate uncomfortable or distracting mental health symptoms. We know that reducing symptoms is not the same as healing the underlying cause of mental illness or addiction, however, many clients need a respite from their physical and psychological symptoms so that they can focus fully on their recovery and build healthy new habits. Our experienced team will monitor the effects of these medications throughout treatment to ensure they are working and are not triggering any undesirable side effects.

One of the most important aspects of our treatment process is setting clients up for success when they leave our program. Once we have completed the psychological evaluation and identified the underlying causes of an individual's mental health symptoms or addiction, we provide personalized aftercare planning services to ensure they have the resources, support, and accountability they need moving forward. Whether clients transfer from our program to a local rehab, a mental health treatment facility, or back home, we do everything in our power to make the transition a smooth and helpful one.

While "anxiety" is often used as a catch-all term, there are actually several different types of anxiety disorders. These include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and phobias. Individuals may experience several types of anxiety disorders or just one. Symptoms vary from person to person, but often include things like sweating, rapid heart rate, mood swings or restlessness, and a feeling of being out of control. Those with panic disorders may also experience intense episodes of anxiety accompanied by a pain in the chest, trembling, and a feeling of impending doom.

Depression is a type of mood disorder that is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest. It is sometimes referred to as clinical depression or major depressive disorder. People struggling with depression often see life as pointless. Clinical depression can lead to a host of other mental and physical problems up to and including suicide. Depression comes in many forms, including postpartum depression, seasonal depression, dysthymia and others. Unfortunately, depression is very common, affecting more than 16 million Americans every year. However, depression is also very treatable using medications, psychotherapy and lifestyle changes.

Nearly 1 in 10 Americans will suffer an eating disorder during their lifetime and most cases will never be diagnosed. Eating disorders are also among the most dangerous disorders, killing about 10,200 people every year. A common misconception is that eating disorders are caused by vanity, however this is often far from the case. Most eating disorders are caused by deep emotional and psychological disturbances. It is important for individuals suffering from eating disorders to seek treatment right away.

Mood disorder is an umbrella term for disorders where an individual's mood is inconsistent with reality in such a way that it affects their ability to live a normal life. Common disorders that fall into this category are bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, seasonal affective disorder and depression induced by substance use. Mood disorders, like other disorders, can lead to interpersonal problems, substance abuse issues, self harm, and suicide. People with mood disorders can experience prolonged periods of sadness, irritability, hopelessness, or even periods of extreme happiness called mania.

Personality disorders often begin in teenagers and young adults and are characterized by having a way of thinking that is not mirrored by reality. Most people with personality disorders have a very specific and rigid way of viewing the world that doesn't accurately represent their circumstances. Personality disorders are divided into three categories or “clusters.” The first is the “odd eccentric” cluster, which includes things like paranoid personality and schizoid personality disorders. The second is the “dramatic unpredictable” cluster, which includes narcissistic personality and histrionic personality disorder. Lastly there is the “anxious fearful” cluster. This cluster involves things like obsessive compulsive and avoidant personality disorders.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is a disorder that is often brought on by a particular event or series of events that are especially stressful and traumatic. Examples of these events include combat, rape, car accidents, and serious injury. People suffering from PTSD could have high anxiety and depression as well as flashbacks and nightmares. There also tends to be a large amount of avoidance to anything that reminds them of the incident. In some instances, the person suffering with PTSD will have experiences of reliving their trauma. Many people will experience short term stress after a terrifying event, but usually this will correct itself on its own. However, for people who experience long-term severe symptoms, psychiatric treatment may be the best option.