Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing the right mental health provider is an important decision, and it’s natural to have questions. Below are answers to some of the questions we hear most often about therapy, psychological evaluations, insurance, scheduling, and what to expect. If you don’t see your question here, our team is happy to help.
What mental health services do you offer?
Hammond Psychology & Associates provides compassionate, evidence-based mental health services for children, adolescents, and adults. Our practice offers individual therapy and comprehensive psychological evaluations to help individuals better understand their mental health, overcome challenges, and achieve their personal, academic, and professional goals.
Our psychological evaluation services include ADHD evaluations, learning disability evaluations, psychoeducational evaluations, gifted testing, emotional wellness evaluations, college accommodations evaluations, and homeschool evaluations. Our licensed therapists provide treatment for a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, stress, life transitions, relationship challenges, trauma, grief, and more.
If you’re unsure which service is right for you or your family, our team is happy to discuss your concerns and help guide you to the most appropriate next step.
How do I know whether I need therapy or a psychological evaluation?
The right service depends on your goals and the concerns you’re experiencing. Therapy is designed to help you manage emotional, behavioral, or relationship challenges through ongoing support, coping strategies, and personal growth. A psychological evaluation is a comprehensive assessment used to better understand how a person thinks, learns, behaves, or functions emotionally. Evaluations can help identify conditions such as ADHD, learning disabilities, anxiety, depression, or other concerns and may be recommended when diagnostic clarification or documentation is needed.
If you’re unsure which service is the best fit, you don’t have to figure it out on your own. Our team is happy to discuss your concerns, answer your questions, and help determine whether therapy, a psychological evaluation, or another service is the most appropriate next step.
Do you work with children, teens, and adults?
Yes. Hammond Psychology & Associates provides mental health services for children, adolescents, and adults. Our team has experience working with individuals across the lifespan and offers both individual therapy and comprehensive psychological evaluations tailored to each person’s unique needs.
Because each clinician has different areas of expertise, specialties, and insurance participation, we take the time to match you or your family member with the provider who is the best fit. Our goal is to ensure you receive compassionate, personalized care in a supportive and welcoming environment.
How do I schedule an appointment?
Scheduling an appointment is easy. Simply call Hammond Psychology & Associates or complete the Appointment Request form on our website. A member of our team will contact you to discuss your concerns, answer any initial questions, verify your insurance benefits when applicable, and help match you with the provider or service that best meets your needs.
Once your appointment is scheduled, you’ll receive information about completing your intake paperwork and any additional forms needed before your visit. Our goal is to make the scheduling process as smooth and stress-free as possible so you can focus on taking the next step toward your mental health and well-being.
Which insurance plans do you accept?
Hammond Psychology & Associates accepts several insurance plans, including TRICARE, Aetna, and UnitedHealthcare/Optum, depending on the provider you are scheduled to see. Insurance participation varies by clinician, and our team will gladly help match you with a provider who accepts your insurance whenever possible.
If we are not in-network with your insurance plan, we offer flexible self-pay options through CareCredit. We can also provide an itemized invoice, also known as a superbill, that you may submit to your insurance company for possible out-of-network reimbursement.
Please note that some psychological and educational evaluation services are not covered by insurance and may require private payment.
What methods of payment do you currently accept?
For your convenience, Hammond Psychology & Associates accepts cash and all major credit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. We also offer flexible financing through CareCredit for eligible self-pay services.
Payment is due at the time services are provided unless other arrangements have been made in advance. If you have questions about payment options or insurance coverage, our team is happy to assist you.
What is your cancellation policy?
We understand that unexpected situations arise and occasionally appointments need to be rescheduled. If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, we kindly ask that you provide as much advance notice as possible. This allows us to offer the appointment time to another individual who may be waiting for services.
Missed appointments or late cancellations may be subject to the practice’s cancellation policy. If you have questions about our cancellation policy or need assistance rescheduling your appointment, please contact our office and a member of our team will be happy to assist you.
How do I know if therapy is right for me?
Therapy can be beneficial for anyone who is feeling overwhelmed, experiencing emotional or behavioral challenges, navigating a major life transition, or simply wanting additional support to improve their overall well-being. You don’t have to wait until a problem feels overwhelming to benefit from therapy. Many people seek therapy to build healthier coping skills, improve relationships, manage stress, increase self-awareness, or work toward personal growth.
If your thoughts, emotions, or daily challenges are affecting your relationships, work, school, or overall quality of life, therapy may be a helpful next step. Our therapists provide a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where you can explore your concerns, develop practical strategies, and work toward meaningful, lasting change at a pace that feels right for you.
What concerns can therapy help with?
Therapy can help individuals navigate a wide range of emotional, behavioral, and life challenges. Our therapists work with children, adolescents, and adults experiencing concerns such as anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, grief and loss, relationship difficulties, life transitions, self-esteem concerns, emotional regulation, and other mental health or wellness challenges.
Because every person’s experiences and goals are unique, therapy is personalized to meet your individual needs. Whether you’re looking to better understand yourself, strengthen coping skills, improve relationships, or work through a specific concern, our therapists are committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based care that supports your overall well-being.
How do I choose the right therapist?
Choosing the right therapist is an important part of the therapeutic process, and our team is here to help. We consider factors such as your age, presenting concerns, treatment goals, preferences, and insurance coverage when recommending a provider. Our goal is to connect you with the therapist who is the best fit for your unique needs.
Building a trusting relationship with your therapist is an important part of successful treatment. If you have questions about our clinicians or need guidance in selecting a provider, we’re happy to discuss your options and help you make an informed decision.
What should I expect during my first therapy appointment?
Your first therapy appointment is an opportunity to get to know your therapist and begin discussing what brought you to therapy. During this initial session, your therapist will ask questions about your current concerns, personal history, goals for treatment, and any relevant medical, educational, or family background. This information helps your therapist better understand your unique experiences and develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs.
Just as importantly, your first appointment is an opportunity for you to get to know your therapist. You are encouraged to ask questions, share your concerns, and discuss what you hope to achieve through therapy. Our goal is to provide a supportive, compassionate environment where you feel heard, respected, and comfortable as you begin your journey toward improved mental health and well-being.
When should I consider a psychological evaluation for my child?
A psychological evaluation may be beneficial if your child is experiencing ongoing academic, behavioral, emotional, social, or developmental challenges that are affecting their daily functioning. Parents often seek an evaluation when they have concerns about attention, learning, behavior, emotional well-being, or when they want a better understanding of their child’s strengths and areas of need.
A comprehensive psychological evaluation can help identify conditions such as ADHD, learning disabilities, anxiety, depression, or other concerns while also providing individualized recommendations to support your child’s success at home, in school, and in everyday life. If you’re unsure whether an evaluation is appropriate, our team is happy to discuss your concerns and help determine the best next step.
When should I consider a psychological evaluation for myself?
A psychological evaluation may be helpful if you’ve been struggling with attention, learning, memory, mood, anxiety, emotional well-being, or other concerns that are affecting your daily life, work, relationships, or academic performance. Many adults seek an evaluation to gain a better understanding of themselves, clarify a diagnosis, or determine whether conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, or a learning disability may be contributing to their challenges.
A comprehensive psychological evaluation provides valuable insight into your cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and academic functioning while offering personalized recommendations to support your goals. Whether you’re seeking answers for yourself, pursuing workplace or college accommodations, or simply looking for greater clarity, an evaluation can provide information to help guide your next steps.
What types of psychological evaluations do you provide?
Hammond Psychology & Associates provides comprehensive psychological evaluations for children, adolescents, and adults. Our evaluation services include ADHD evaluations, learning disability evaluations, psychoeducational evaluations, gifted testing, emotional wellness evaluations, college accommodations evaluations, and homeschool evaluations. Each evaluation is tailored to the individual’s unique concerns, history, and referral questions.
Our evaluations are designed to provide diagnostic clarity, identify strengths and areas of need, and offer practical, personalized recommendations that can support success at home, in school, at work, and in everyday life. We are committed to delivering thorough, evidence-based evaluations that help individuals and families move forward with greater understanding and confidence.
What can I expect during the psychological evaluation process?
The psychological evaluation process is designed to be comprehensive, supportive, and personalized. While every evaluation is tailored to the individual’s unique needs, the process typically includes the following steps:
Initial Consultation: We begin with a clinical interview to discuss your concerns, relevant background information, and the goals of the evaluation.
Testing Sessions: A series of standardized tests and questionnaires are administered based on the referral question. Depending on the purpose of the evaluation, testing may assess cognitive abilities, academic skills, attention, memory, emotional functioning, behavior, and other areas.
Review of Records: When appropriate, we review relevant records, such as school records, previous evaluations, or medical history, to gain a more complete understanding of the individual’s functioning.
Scoring and Interpretation: All assessment data is carefully scored, analyzed, and interpreted by a licensed psychologist.
Feedback Session: Once the evaluation is complete, you’ll receive a comprehensive written report and meet with the psychologist to review the findings, discuss any diagnoses (when applicable), and receive personalized recommendations and next steps.
The evaluation process may take several hours and is often completed over multiple appointments. Our goal is to provide meaningful answers, practical recommendations, and a deeper understanding that empowers you or your child to move forward with confidence.
How long does the psychological evaluation process take?
The length of the psychological evaluation process varies depending on the purpose and complexity of the evaluation. Most evaluations are completed over multiple appointments and may include a clinical interview, testing sessions, scoring and interpretation, and a feedback appointment to review the results and recommendations.
While the testing portion is often completed within one or more appointments, additional time is needed to carefully score the assessment measures, interpret the results, and prepare a comprehensive written report. Our goal is to provide a thorough, accurate evaluation rather than a rushed assessment, ensuring you receive meaningful information and personalized recommendations.
How soon will I receive my evaluation report?
Following the completion of testing, your psychologist will carefully score and interpret the assessment results, prepare a comprehensive written report, and review the findings before your feedback appointment. Because every evaluation is individualized, the time needed to complete this process may vary.
During your feedback session, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss the results, ask questions, and receive personalized recommendations. If you have questions about the expected timeline for your evaluation, our team will be happy to provide additional information based on your specific situation.
Will insurance cover my psychological evaluation?
Insurance coverage for psychological evaluations varies depending on your insurance plan, the reason for the evaluation, and the type of testing being requested. Some evaluations may be covered when they are considered medically necessary, while others—particularly educational testing—may not be covered by insurance and may require private payment.
Our team will help verify your insurance benefits whenever possible and discuss any anticipated out-of-pocket costs before your evaluation begins. If your insurance plan is out-of-network, we can also provide an itemized invoice (superbill) that you may submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement, depending on your benefits.
What is the difference between psychological evaluations and therapy services?
Although psychological evaluations and therapy services both support mental health and well-being, they serve different purposes.
A psychological evaluation is a comprehensive assessment designed to better understand an individual’s cognitive, academic, emotional, and behavioral functioning. Evaluations can help clarify diagnoses, identify strengths and areas of need, and provide personalized recommendations to guide treatment, educational planning, workplace or academic accommodations, and other important decisions.
Therapy is an ongoing, collaborative process that focuses on helping individuals develop healthier coping strategies, improve emotional well-being, strengthen relationships, and work through life’s challenges. Rather than identifying a diagnosis through formal testing, therapy helps individuals create meaningful, lasting change by learning practical skills, gaining insight, and receiving support over time.
If you’re unsure which service is right for you or your family, you don’t have to make that decision alone. Our team is happy to discuss your concerns, answer your questions, and help determine the service that best meets your needs.
Still have questions?
If you don’t see your question answered above, we’re here to help. Contact Hammond Psychology & Associates by phone or complete our Appointment Request form, and a member of our team will be happy to answer your questions and help you determine the best next step for you or your family.
