2.2 TESTING & ASSESSMENTS SERVICES

services

Therapy

Therapy, skills training, and related services with a specialization in ADHD, Autism Spectrum, and Anxiety Disorders.

Psychotherapy Modalities include CBT, interpersonal therapy, mindfulness-based approaches, motivational interviewing, and exposure therapy (for phobias)
Therapeutic Assessment Multiple sessions over a limited period are used to answer questions to help understand why a person isn’t making progress in treatment
Skills Training CBT informed skills training for ADHD
Assertive Communication and Conflict Resolution CBT format
Symptom Tracking Dr. Winter will help you to track your symptoms during a trial of stimulant medication(s) for ADHD to provide education and support that will help you communicate more effectively with your medical provider while you are finding something that works for you. Dr. Winter does not prescribe medication and cannot make recommendations regarding what medication you should take. She can provide education and support in how and what to communicate to your medical provider.

Please Note: Therapy for trauma related disorders, OCD and eating disorders is not available. Trauma and OCD are offered for assessment, however.

testing & assesments

SPECIALIZING IN NEURODEVELOPMENTAL ASSESSMENTS AND DIAGNOSTIC CLARIFICATION

The following assessments are available for teens and adults age 13 and older.

Neurodevelopmental (ADHD, Learning Disability & Autism)
Cognitive (Intellectual disability & Giftedness)
Psychodiagnostic (Mood, Anxiety, Trauma, OCD, psychosis, personality dysfunction)
Diagnostic clarification (identify/disentangle multiple or confusing diagnostic presentations)
Comprehensive (Full assessment of multiple conditions to identify any present diagnoses)

GETTING STARTED

If you are seeking an assessment, interested in therapy, or aren’t sure but would like to discuss it, the first step is to complete a request for services referral form. You do not need a referral from your therapist or doctor’s office, you may self-refer.

To get started, fill out and submit your information via one of our secure referral links below. We will follow up no later than one week after we receive your form.

Please make sure you provide an email address you are checking regularly. This will be the primary mode of contact and all communication will be secure.
It will be necessary to have access to a tablet, laptop, or computer. It will not be possible to complete intake documentation on a smart phone.

THE PROCESS

PLEASE READ THOROUGHLY TO AVOID HICCUPS

The following information is a step by step from start to finish of the process for different services (therapy or assessment). This also includes information about how to make your assessment as efficient as possible to minimize cost. The FIRST and SECOND steps also apply to therapy services.

FIRST

REQUEST FOR SERVICES

The first step is to complete a Request for Services form. There are separate forms for therapy and assessment services. You may access these on this website under “Services” as well as the “Contact” menu. Both forms are secure and come directly to this clinic once you submit.

Please note: that you will receive a response through your email and make sure to check your inbox as well as any spam folders.

SECOND

PORTAL SET UP & PAPERWORK

Once your Request for Services form has been received, you will receive two things:

A link to activate your patient portal to share consent and privacy documents, questionnaires about your mood and functioning, and a background and history form. You will also add your demographic and insurance information here and choose settings for things like appointment reminders and emergency contact.
An intake packet that includes a billing information form and a release of information form (for your PCP or primary medical provider). The intake packet is a fillable PDF that you will be able to sign digitally. It will submit this to the clinic securely when you are done. You will also receive a copy.

Please do not attempt to complete these steps via a smart phone. A laptop, tablet or other computer is required. This information needs to be complete and accurate to move forward

When we have all of the necessary information complete, you may schedule an appointment online. This can be done through your patient portal or this website under “Contacts”. Appointments that are requested before completing these steps will be declined.

THIRD

INTAKE

Once your paperwork is complete and you have activated your patient portal, you may schedule an appointment online through your patient portal. The intake appointment is 90 minutes and can be done in person or via telehealth based on your preference.

Before the day of your appointment, you will also receive a Good Faith Estimate of the cost of services based on the current fee schedule or your insurance benefits.

After your intake appointment, Dr. Winter will talk about the kind of testing you will complete at your next visit and tell you a little bit about what to expect. You may (or may not) be given questionnaires or other objective measures to complete in the meantime.

It is important to have information from a variety of different sources to complete an assessment. A lack of information may limit the provider’s ability to answer the assessment question and provide evidence-based recommendations for the most appropriate treatment or services. A lack of information may also result in increased cost both in terms of time as well as money because it will require the examiner to spend more time trying to get the information needed.

FOURTH

TESTING & ASSESSMENT

Your testing appointment will be scheduled after your intake is completed on the day of your appointment. Many diagnostic evaluations require at least one in person testing appointment. You may be asked not to take certain medications, and to abstain from the use of stimulants such as caffeine or nicotine prior to testing on the day of your appointment. If you use cannabis, you will be asked to abstain for one week prior to testing if possible. In some (but not all) cases, testing will need to be cancelled and rescheduled if you forget.

Testing & assessment appointments vary in length from three to five hours. It will include the administration of psychological tests as well as follow up diagnostic interview questions. Other remote testing may be completed with video proctoring. This means you will complete the testing from home and Dr. Winter will join via telehealth to administer the testing remotely. This will be discussed with you and scheduled during your intake appointment. It may also be scheduled online. Dr. Winter will discuss all decisions and suggestions for testing, records, or other relevant concerns throughout the assessment process. The aim is to make everything as transparent as possible.

LAST

FEEDBACK

Once everything has been collected including records and information from collaterals (people who know you and can share information), and your report is complete, we will reach out to schedule a 45-60 minute feedback session that may take place in person or via telehealth. Here you will receive information about the conclusions of the assessment as well as education and recommendations for treatment and other helpful supports. You will be given the opportunity to ask questions and can attend alone or with a loved one. You will be provided with an assessment report and this can be forwarded to any one else you wish with a signed release of information.