I started my doctoral program in 2000 and could not wait to get through the boring assessment classes so I could start learning about therapy. I mean, really, what can a bunch of numbers and inkblots tell you about a person? Much to my surprise, those early courses piqued my curiosity and the practice of doing evaluations made me a true believer. Hearing clients say things like, “Wow! It makes so much sense now!” or “I didn’t realize I was doing that” is a powerful and humbling experience. Today, assessment is one of my passions because I see how it changes people’s lives for the better.

My approach to assessment is collaborative, which means building a relationship with you to ensure the experience and results are meaningful. Depending on what you are looking for, test results can range from determining a correct diagnosis to providing valuable information about personal motivations and capacities. Together we develop an assessment plan, engage in the work, discuss the results, and figure out how it fits into your life. Final reports are a combination of your personal insight and my professional experience. More recently, I’ve been connecting with professionals who engage in Therapeutic Assessment, which takes the collaborative assessment approach to a deeper level.

Another area of specialty and passion for me is working with Deaf and Hard of Hearing people and their families. I started developing fluency in American Sign Language at the University of Rochester in the 1980s. Over time, deaf and hard of hearing people have been very open and generous in helping me learn about the culture, language, and an understanding of my role as a hearing person within the community. I am grateful to all who guided me on this journey and hopefully honor them in my work.

Psychological Assessment Practice: Cognitive, Executive Functioning and ADHD, Functional, Social-Emotional, Trauma, Personality (objective and projective testing)