Psychological Testing
Psychological Assessment Services
Psychological Assessment is sometimes necessary to identify your most appropriate diagnosis and/or individualized treatment needs. Psychological Assessment is a process that is usually comprised of a clinical interview and psychological testing conducted by one of our licensed clinical psychologists.
The initial session is generally used to obtain the necessary information to determine what, if any, psychological tests/procedures are necessary, to explain the assessment process, and to answer any questions you may have. It typically begins with a clinical interview with the patient and/or the patient's family members, which is aimed at gathering information to arrive at a diagnosis.
In more complex situations, the diagnosis may not be clear based on your history and interview information. In such cases, psychological testing will be used to help determine the presence (or absence) of common psychological issues such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, Schizophrenia, substance abuse, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorders, learning disabilities, Dementia, memory problems, etc. The assessment will evaluate your personality traits, intellectual and cognitive abilities, and/or emotional capacity.
In more complex situations, the diagnosis may not be clear based on your history and interview information. In such cases, psychological testing will be used to help determine the presence (or absence) of common psychological issues such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, Schizophrenia, substance abuse, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorders, learning disabilities, Dementia, memory problems, etc. The assessment will evaluate your personality traits, intellectual and cognitive abilities, and/or emotional capacity.
Most medical insurance policies include mental health benefits, which will cover all, or part, of your Psychological Assessment if deemed medically necessary by your insurance company. To determine whether your insurance policy covers the procedures, our staff will contact your insurance company to verify your mental health coverage before scheduling your first appointment. We strongly recommend that you also contact your insurance company and verify your benefits.
After verifying your benefits, our staff will contact you to provide you with an explanation of your Psychological Assessment benefits, if any, which will explain your estimated projected out-of-pocket costs related to the assessment. Please keep in mind that a more accurate estimate of the cost of your assessment will not be available until after your first appointment with the Licensed Clinical Psychologist, as that is when your specific set of psychological tests, if any, will be determined.
After verifying your benefits, our staff will contact you to provide you with an explanation of your Psychological Assessment benefits, if any, which will explain your estimated projected out-of-pocket costs related to the assessment. Please keep in mind that a more accurate estimate of the cost of your assessment will not be available until after your first appointment with the Licensed Clinical Psychologist, as that is when your specific set of psychological tests, if any, will be determined.
We provide the following for children, adolesents, and adults:
Our Assessment Providers:
In network with Aetna, BCBS, Claritev, Evernorth Behavioral Health/Cigna, Medicare, and Optum/United Behavioral Health.
Dr. Brucker earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in 1994. He then earned a Master's of Arts and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Minnesota School of Professional Psychology in 1996 and 1998, respectively. He became an Illinois Licensed Clinical Psychologist in 2000 and has been licensed as such ever since.
Dr. Brucker has extensive professional experience assessing and treating outpatient adolescent and adult males and females with depression, anxiety, stress, anger, grief, trauma, and sleep difficulties; interpersonal skills deficits; coping skills deficits; domestic violence difficulties; maladaptive personality traits, and chronic mental illness.
Dr. Brucker also has extensive experience working with adult males who previously or currently engage in criminal behaviors and require assistance in moving away from a criminal lifestyle. His treatment approach is primarily cognitive-behavioral, and dialectical-behavior, but also incorporates client-centered, mindfulness, and reality therapy components.
Dr. Brucker has extensive professional experience assessing and treating outpatient adolescent and adult males and females with depression, anxiety, stress, anger, grief, trauma, and sleep difficulties; interpersonal skills deficits; coping skills deficits; domestic violence difficulties; maladaptive personality traits, and chronic mental illness.
Dr. Brucker also has extensive experience working with adult males who previously or currently engage in criminal behaviors and require assistance in moving away from a criminal lifestyle. His treatment approach is primarily cognitive-behavioral, and dialectical-behavior, but also incorporates client-centered, mindfulness, and reality therapy components.
In network with Aetna, BCBS, Claritev, Evernorth Behavioral Health/Cigna, Medicare, and Optum/United Behavioral Health.
Pamela Murphy, Psy.D.
After earning a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2006, Dr. Pamela Murphy received her Doctorate of Psychology (Psy.D.) and is licensed in the state of Illinois as a Clinical Psychologist.
Dr. Murphy has worked with children, adolescents, adults, and families with a variety of disorders, including behavioral, mood, and personality. She has experience providing direct mental health services, including individual and group psychotherapy and conducting psychological evaluations, as well as supervising others providing such services. Although she has worked with multiple symptom presentations, she has extensive experience working with those dealing with instituting behavioral change, adjustment concerns, life transitions, stress/emotion management, and loss. Dr. Murphy's clinical experience has been much focused on forensic psychology at adult treatment and detention centers.
Dr. Murphy has worked with children, adolescents, adults, and families with a variety of disorders, including behavioral, mood, and personality. She has experience providing direct mental health services, including individual and group psychotherapy and conducting psychological evaluations, as well as supervising others providing such services. Although she has worked with multiple symptom presentations, she has extensive experience working with those dealing with instituting behavioral change, adjustment concerns, life transitions, stress/emotion management, and loss. Dr. Murphy's clinical experience has been much focused on forensic psychology at adult treatment and detention centers.
Edward Smith, Psy.D.
In network with Aetna, BCBS, Claritev, Evernorth Behavioral Health/Cigna, Medicare, and Optum/United Behavioral Health.
Dr. Smith is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in the state of Illinois. He attended Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois, where he completed his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science degrees. He earned his doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from the Adler School of Professional Psychology in Chicago, Illinois. He has trained and worked in hospitals, inpatient psychiatric treatment facilities, outpatient clinics, academic institutions, and forensic facilities.
Dr. Smith works with children, adolescents, and adults. His professional interests include psychological testing/ assessment and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy.
Dr. Smith's treatment philosophy is based on a collaborative doctor-patient relationship in which each person has the opportunity to learn to effectively manage distressing symptoms, resolve ongoing problem areas more efficiently, improve relationships, and lead a more productive and satisfying life.
Dr. Smith works with children, adolescents, and adults. His professional interests include psychological testing/ assessment and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy.
Dr. Smith's treatment philosophy is based on a collaborative doctor-patient relationship in which each person has the opportunity to learn to effectively manage distressing symptoms, resolve ongoing problem areas more efficiently, improve relationships, and lead a more productive and satisfying life.