When you’re concerned about a teenager’s mental health but aren’t sure what to do, psychological testing for teens can provide insights into why a teen is struggling and what type of treatment can help. If you’ve already scheduled an appointment, it’s normal for teens and parents alike to feel apprehensive. Families often have questions like, “How long does a psych evaluation take?” and “What happens during a psyche val?”
Foothills at Red Oak Recovery® offers psychological testing for teen boys. The length of psychological evaluation depends on the specific mental health concerns a teen is being assessed for. If you’d like to understand more about the length of psych Evans and what the process entails, our treatment team can answer your questions.
Give us a call today at 866.300.5275 to learn more about adolescent therapy programs at Foothills at Red Oak Recovery®.
How Long Does a Psychological Evaluation Take?
The length of psych evaluations can vary based on factors like the treatment center approach and the types of tests used. Several different types of tests may be used during a teen psych evaluation. A teen evaluation may involve one or multiple tests, depending on the areas of concern noted by parents, a teen, or the treatment team.
Some of the most common tests used to perform a teen psych evaluation include:
- Clinical interviews
- Psychological testing
- Neuropsychological testing
- Behavioral observation
- Personality assessment
- Intellectual functioning assessment
It’s hard to give a general estimation of how long a psyche val will last. Some tests last only 30 to 90 minutes, while multiple tests or the diagnosis of certain conditions may take a few hours.
Choosing the Right Treatment Center for a Teen Psych Evaluation
Psych evaluations come in many forms. When the client is a teenager, typically, their parents will discuss concerns with the treatment center and arrange for a psyche val to take place. The length of psychological evaluations depends on a teen’s specific concerns.
When the client receiving a psyche val is a teenager, choosing a treatment center designed to work specifically with teenagers is preferable. Staff at a teen treatment center are more experienced in working with teenagers and helping them feel comfortable and at ease during the evaluation process.
It’s normal for anyone to feel a bit nervous during a psych evaluation, and adolescents, in particular, may feel reluctant to open up to a stranger. Choosing a mental health professional experienced in working with teens can help the evaluation process go more smoothly.
Teen Psych Evaluations Results and Treatment
Once the evaluation is complete, the treatment center’s multidisciplinary team will review the test results. They may find that a teen meets the diagnostic criteria for a mental health condition like anxiety, depression, or an eating disorder. However, it’s also common to find that a teen doesn’t have a diagnosable condition according to clinical criteria. Despite this, they may still struggle with significant mental health concerns. Treatment can help alleviate issues like chronic stress, emotional dysregulation, or situational depression.
A treatment center’s clinical team includes psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and other mental health professionals. They create a mental health treatment plan based on the evaluation findings. This plan is tailored to each teen’s unique needs. It considers both mental health conditions and co-occurring issues, such as substance use or learning disabilities. Treatment may include individual therapy, group therapy, and family therapy. Other modalities include medication management and holistic approaches like mindfulness and art therapy.
Types of Treatment
Treatment can vary widely based on the specific conditions a teen is dealing with and the severity level of those conditions. Often, inpatient treatment, which provides 24-hour care in a structured environment, is the most beneficial setting for initial stabilization, particularly in cases of severe mental health crises or when there is a risk of self-harm. In contrast, outpatient care, which allows teens to continue living at home while attending therapy sessions and other treatments during the day, can provide sufficient support for those with less severe conditions or who have already made significant progress.
Ultimately, the goal is to ensure that each teen receives the appropriate level of care to help them manage their symptoms, develop coping strategies, and achieve their best possible mental health outcome.
Get Help with Teen Mental Health at Foothills at Red Oak Recovery®
Concern for a teen’s mental health can be challenging for parents to experience. Fortunately, you’re not alone. Foothills at Red Oak Recovery® makes it easy to understand your options and get your teen the help they need.
We offer psych evaluations and mental and behavioral health treatment programs designed specifically for teenage boys. To learn more, use our online contact form or call 866.300.5275 today and speak with the treatment team at Foothills at Red Oak Recovery®.
