What Is Psychological Testing?
Psychological testing — also called psychological assessment or evaluation — is a process in which a licensed psychologist uses a combination of standardized tests, clinical interviews, behavioral observations, and record review to gain a comprehensive understanding of an individual's psychological functioning. Unlike a brief screening or diagnostic interview, a full psychological evaluation provides detailed, objective information about cognitive abilities, emotional functioning, personality characteristics, behavioral patterns, and specific clinical conditions.
Dr. Stephanie L. Cornette, Psy.D., conducts comprehensive psychological evaluations at her Chicago practice. With advanced training in psychological assessment, Dr. Cornette selects and administers tests that are specifically appropriate for each client's referral question and clinical presentation, ensuring that the results are accurate, meaningful, and useful.
Types of Psychological Testing
Personality Assessment
Personality testing measures enduring patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving. It can identify personality disorders, characterize personality traits and styles, and illuminate how personality patterns affect relationships, coping, and life functioning. Commonly used instruments include the MMPI-2 (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory), the MCMI-IV (Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory), and projective measures such as the Rorschach and TAT (Thematic Apperception Test).
Cognitive and Intellectual Testing
Cognitive testing evaluates intellectual abilities, including verbal reasoning, perceptual reasoning, working memory, processing speed, and executive functioning. These assessments are useful for identifying learning disabilities, intellectual giftedness, cognitive decline, and the cognitive effects of neurological conditions, brain injuries, or mental health disorders. Widely used instruments include the WAIS-IV (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale) and the WISC-V (for children).
Clinical and Diagnostic Assessment
Diagnostic testing helps clarify the nature and severity of specific mental health conditions. This is particularly valuable when symptoms overlap between conditions — for example, distinguishing between major depression and bipolar disorder, differentiating anxiety disorders from other conditions, or assessing the presence of eating disorders. Standardized symptom measures, structured interviews, and validated screening tools contribute to diagnostic precision.
Forensic and Court-Ordered Evaluations
Dr. Cornette also provides psychological evaluations for legal contexts, including custody evaluations and divorce-related assessments. These evaluations require specialized methodology, objectivity, and familiarity with legal standards and court expectations.
Who Benefits From Psychological Testing?
Psychological testing can be valuable in many situations:
Individuals Seeking Clarity
If you have been struggling with emotional, behavioral, or cognitive difficulties but are not sure what is causing them, testing can provide answers and guide you toward the right treatment.
People in Therapy
When therapy has reached a plateau or the clinical picture is unclear, testing can provide new insights that inform and refine the treatment approach.
Referrals From Other Professionals
Physicians, psychiatrists, attorneys, schools, and employers may request psychological evaluations to answer specific diagnostic, treatment, or functional questions.
Legal and Court Matters
Custody disputes, competency evaluations, and other legal proceedings often require objective psychological assessment by a qualified professional.
What to Expect During the Evaluation
- 1. Initial Consultation: Dr. Cornette begins with a thorough interview to understand the referral question, your history, current concerns, and what you hope to learn from the evaluation.
- 2. Test Administration: You will complete a carefully selected battery of psychological tests. Testing sessions may last several hours and can be spread across multiple appointments depending on the evaluation's scope.
- 3. Scoring and Interpretation: Dr. Cornette scores and interprets the test results in the context of your clinical presentation, history, and the referral question.
- 4. Feedback Session: A dedicated session to review the findings, discuss diagnostic conclusions, and present treatment recommendations. Dr. Cornette explains results in clear, accessible language.
- 5. Written Report: A comprehensive written report documenting the evaluation process, test results, diagnostic conclusions, and recommendations. This report can be shared with other treatment providers, schools, or legal entities as appropriate.
The Value of Professional Psychological Assessment
Psychological testing is one of the most valuable tools in mental health care. It provides objective data that goes beyond what can be gathered through clinical interviews alone. For individuals who have struggled to find effective treatment, have complex presentations, or need clarity about their diagnosis, a thorough psychological evaluation can be transformative — providing the understanding needed to move forward with confidence and direction.
Dr. Cornette's evaluations are thorough, professional, and delivered with the same compassion and care that characterizes all of her clinical work. Whether the assessment is for personal understanding, treatment planning, or legal purposes, you can expect a rigorous, ethical, and informative process.
Schedule a Psychological Evaluation
Whether you need diagnostic clarity, treatment guidance, or an evaluation for legal purposes, Dr. Cornette provides comprehensive, professional psychological assessments.
Call (773) 988-7144