Author: mykidsmentalhealth

What is Neuropsychological Testing?

A series of cognitive tests (some administered on paper and some computer) that examine cognitive functioning (memory, executive functioning, processing speed, intellectual functioning, and behavioral/emotional functioning).

All testing in our practice is completed exclusively by our doctoral-level, licensed psychologists. Neuropsychologists require an extra, 2-year post-doctoral training beyond their 1-year residency and 4-6 years of doctoral work.

Clinical Concerns addressed with Neuropsychological Testing:

• ADHD (Hyperactive-Impulsive Type, Inattentive Type, or Combined Type) 
• Learning disability testing (dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, visual processing difficulties, auditory/phonological processing difficulties).
• Autistic spectrum testing (ASD)
• ADHD testing
• Evaluation of gifted individuals with learning difficulties (twice exceptional or ‘2e’)
• Intellectual Disability Testing (Including therapy available as well)
• Medical conditions (e.g., genetic/chromosomal disorders, pediatric stroke, birthing injuries, etc.)
• Testing for anxiety and depression or mood regulation disorders
• Post-concussion and post Traumatic Brain Injury

What does the Neuropsychological Testing Process Involve?

1. A Clinical Interview with our patient (and caregiver) (1-2 hours)
2. Testing with our patient (2-5 hours)
3. Analysis of Data from testing and Report Writing by the Neuropsychologist (7-10 hours on their own)
4. Review of written report and recommendations/accommodations with the patient and caregiver (1-2 hours)

Most importantly, psychological testing data are used to create an evidence-based action plan and recommendations. We will work with you and your school to best ensure our recommendations can be accommodated (sometimes in the form of a 504, IEP, or equivalent formal documentation). 

Call us/email today to book an appointment! We have no waitlist!

(202) 768-6494 or email at admin@washingtonanxietycenter.com

Rarely happens at our center, but we can start kids and adults as early as this week (March 19th, 2024). Call us at 202-768-6494 or email at admin@washingtonanxietycenter.com to get the process started right away.

As the holidays come closer, we have been receiving feedback from new patients who are concerned about being on our waitlist for a period of time (or any waitlist for that matter).

We found ourselves repeating the same recommendations and realized this information would be helpful for anyone looking to get an appointment for therapeutic treatment.

Here are some tips and tricks from our Director, Dr. Johanna Kaplan. 

1. Do not wait to call a practice until the concern you are looking to get treated becomes immediate or too serious. The moment you notice something may be off, call and get on a waitlist. Outpatient treatment cannot serve as an emergency room and as much as we would like to help, psychologist’s schedules cannot usually accommodate last minute requests. 
2. It is not uncommon for specialty practices (like the Washington Anxiety Center) to have a Waitlist. By the time people seek out our services, they have likely been receiving more generalist treatment that has not been effective.
3. Do your research! We really like abct.org or adaa.org. The sites are less complicated to understand than PubMed, but are more reliable and accurate in their information and recommendations than your typical online googled resource.
4. Be flexible! If you need an appointment for you (adult) or a child and can only make a certain time and day during the week, expect the wait to be longer. Psychologists see patients on an ongoing basis, some from 3 months to a few years. You will be waiting for someone to give up a coveted spot before you are offered one. However, if you are flexible, you likely can get in with our practice (or likely any) within 2-3 weeks. 
5. If you receive a preferred weekly appointment (time and day of your choice), consider that it is worth its weight in diamonds! Some of our patients opt to continue paying for a weekly slot when they are gone on extended vacations. In my opinion, this is worth it if it is a preferred slot (e.g., after school). Unfortunately, psychologists cannot keep your appointment waiting for you for longer than 2-3 weeks. There are a lot of individuals in our community really needing services and we do our best to address them as well.
6. The problem of missing school! As parent looking for services for their child you need to think what is more important…their anxiety and depression or piano lessons. It may sound like a simple decision, but it is not and we completely understand that it is difficult. Remember that temporarily stopping even loved activities, also including mandatory classes during the school day, is worth being able to feel better and get the skills to maintain feeling better. We recommend anyone under the age of 14 (usually 8^th grade and lower) is ok academically to miss a class every week to attend treatment. Treatment can also be flexible so your child isn’t missing the same class every week. We highly recommend this approach!!!! 

**Also….. when children attend a session during the day and return to school, it not only alleviates stress related to having to attend another activity after school, but it also gives them opportunities to practice the skills they just learned and not have to wait till the following school day.

7. Consider teletherapy as well as in person. The research and our own experience has shown that both methods of delivery are equally effective. We can personally attest…..THEY ARE!

Have a wonderful holiday season and remember to reach out to us as soon as you can once you notice an issue!

Dr. Kaplan and Staff at Washington Anxiety Center of Capitol Hill

While this is a VERY important topic, it is still considered very taboo, especially amongst clinicians in the mental health field.

First, let me provide an understanding of a Ph.D in Clinical or Counseling psychology and a Doctorate in Psychology (Psy.D). Both of these degrees are at the doctorate level. A Psy.D is a doctorate in psychology, where you spend 4-5 years working towards a degree that focuses on clinical/therapy work. A Ph.D. spends usually 50/50 in terms of clinical and research work. This allows your clinician to have a good grounding in new, evidence-based treatments and a continual knowledge and training in the scientific method to approaching their work. A Ph.D typically takes 5-8 years of training and research. Both degrees require post-doctoral work (taking 1-3 years) before the official licensure process. A Psy.D and a Ph.D. will have 10,000-15,000 clinical hours by the time they are licensed.

Other degrees, such as licensed social workers (LICSW), Licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), and Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC), receive 1-3 years of clinical only training. Usually this training is generalized and not in a speciality form (e.g., cognitive behavioral). These degrees will have 3,000-5,00 hours of clinical hours by the time of licensure.

A lot of therapists claim to use “cognitive-behavioral therapy” but they are actually just doing talk therapy. Before any clinician is accepted as part of the Washington Anxiety Center (Capitol Hill and Alexandria Location), they are vetted to make sure they have at least 7-8 years of supervised experience in using evidence-based treatments.

While many clinicians without a doctorate-level degree are qualified, you need to do your due diligence as a patient to make sure they are qualified. Also, in the Capitol Hill area, non-doctorate clinicians are charging similar rates as doctorate level ones.

Think about the qualifications that you want in a mental health provider that will best fit your needs. If you are struggling with anxiety, depression, school refusal issues, please get the most evidence-based treatment (i.e., cognitive behavioral, exposure work).

Feel free to reach out at our practice! We have current openings.–Dr. K

Dr. Kaplan recently presented at Sidwell Friends school in NW, Washington DC and at St. Peter’s Catholic School on Capitol Hill.

Click here to see a presentation on “Anxiety as a Superpower”

https://www.washingtonanxietycenter.com/presentations.html

If you are interested in having her speak at your school, please email her directly at drkaplan@washingtonanxietycenter.com.

Dr. Kaplan provides these presentations pro bono as a way to give back to her local community.