How do I know if my child needs therapy or a psychological evaluation?

Sometimes, children benefit from both. A psychological evaluation can provide diagnostic clarity and guide treatment recommendations, while therapy helps children and families develop practical skills and strategies to address those challenges. If your child completes a psychological evaluation with me and therapy is recommended, I may be able to provide therapy if it’s clinically appropriate and I have availability. However, if I’ve already established a therapeutic relationship with a child, I generally do not later conduct a psychological evaluation for that same child. In those situations, I would recommend an evaluation with another psychologist to help maintain objectivity and ensure the most accurate assessment.

If you’re unsure which option is the best fit, that’s completely normal. During an initial consultation, we can discuss your concerns, answer your questions, and help determine whether therapy, a psychological evaluation, or another service would best meet your child’s needs.

What ages do you work with?

I provide therapy, parent coaching, and psychological evaluations for children and adolescents ages 4 to 17. In addition, I offer ADHD evaluations for adolescents and adults, allowing me to assess ADHD across the lifespan. If you’re unsure whether your child—or you—would be a good fit for my practice, I’d be happy to discuss your needs during an initial consultation.

What problems do parents commonly bring their children in for?

Every child is different, but parents commonly reach out when they’re concerned about their child’s emotions, behavior, attention, learning, or development. Some children struggle with frequent meltdowns, emotional outbursts, anxiety, difficulty focusing, impulsivity, social challenges, or changes in mood. Others may be having difficulty at school, experiencing conflicts at home, or showing behaviors that seem different from their peers.

Whether you’re looking for therapy, parent support, or a comprehensive psychological evaluation, the goal is to better understand your child’s strengths and challenges so that you can make informed decisions about the next steps.

How do I get started?

Getting started is simple. The first step is to contact the practice by phone, email, or through the contact form on our website. We’ll briefly discuss your concerns, answer any questions you may have, and determine whether therapy, parent coaching, or a psychological evaluation is the best fit for your needs.

Jamie Lewis, PhD, PLLC is a private-pay practice and does not bill insurance directly. Many families choose private pay because it offers greater privacy, increased flexibility in treatment, and allows services to be tailored to their child’s individual needs rather than insurance requirements. If you have out-of-network benefits, we can provide documentation that you may submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement.

If it appears that our practice is a good fit, we’ll guide you through the next steps, including scheduling, completing intake paperwork, and preparing for your first appointment.