FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I expect?
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 in-person or virtual initial consultation 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. Then, we conclude with a final review of the psychoeducational evaluation report.
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With consultation, 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. Unlimited consultation is included in the flat fee charge for any evaluation.
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With counseling, the first session will be one hour in length and include a thorough intake including your background and what you would like to accomplish through therapy. Subsequent sessions are 50 minutes in length.
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 3-4 weeks.
Why should I see a Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP) instead of a Child Psychologist?
You will be in good hands with either an LEP or a Child 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 child psychologists and within the medical model.
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.
Do you take insurance?
Unfortunately, we do not accept insurance. A superbill will be provided at your request. A superbill can be submitted to your insurance company in order to be reimbursed for out-of-network services; however, it is recommended that you contact your insurance company prior to initiating services in order to better understand your out-of-network benefits.
What type of payment do you accept?
We accept cash, check, Venmo, 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. Full payment for counseling 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 County including within Irvine, Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, and Mission Viejo. 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 you offer virtual sessions?
We offer virtual consultation and counseling sessions. All assessments are conducted in person. Assessment initial consultations and report reviews can be held virtually at your request.
What are your hours of operation?
From September through June, our hours are the following: Monday through Friday 4:30pm-7pm and Saturday and Sunday 8am-6pm.
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During July and August, our hours are the following: Monday through Friday 8am-6pm and Saturday and Sunday 8am-6pm.
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.
Do you conduct IQ tests for private school entrance?
Yes. I conduct giftedness assessments which include solely an IQ measure and an assessment report that can be provided to private schools.
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.