Psychological Testing & Evaluation
In-office testing for children and adolescents, conducted by a neuropsychologist — helping families understand what's behind learning, attention, and mental health challenges.
When Testing Makes Sense
Many families come to us after noticing something that's hard to name. A child who works hard but can't seem to keep up. A teacher who's flagged attention concerns. Behavior that doesn't fit neatly into any explanation. A sense that something is getting in the way of a child's ability to learn or achieve up to his or her potential.
Psychological testing is one way to get a clearer picture. Psycho-educational and neuropsychological evaluations help identify patterns that may not be visible through observation alone. Evaluations allow for the identification of appropriate educational and other therapeutic interventions to help a child succeed.
Neuropsychologist Rebecca Marshall, Ph.D., conducts all testing at our Alpharetta office. She works with children, adolescents, and young adults.
Types of Testing
Brief Psychological Assessment
A brief psychological assessment is a focused, approximately 3-hour evaluation, typically used when a specific concern has been raised, but the full scope is not yet clear. These assessments address three primary areas.
- Mental health: identifying possible anxiety, depression, mood regulation, and/or behavioral regulation problems
- Learning: examining potential difficulties in reading, written expression, or math
- Attention: evaluating focus, impulse control, and activity levels across settings
A brief assessment includes a written report with findings and recommendations, which can be a useful first step in determining whether a more comprehensive evaluation is needed. A feedback session with Dr. Marshall is included.
Comprehensive Evaluation
A comprehensive evaluation involves multiple sessions and allows for the examination of a full range of factors shaping a child's experience, including assessment of:
- Cognitive and intellectual functioning (IQ)
- Academic achievement in reading, written expression, and math
- Attention, executive function, and processing speed
- Memory and learning
- Social-emotional and behavioral functioning
- Language and visual-spatial processing skills
The comprehensive evaluation includes a detailed written report in which findings are explained in clear language. Formal diagnoses are made, when appropriate, and specific recommendations are provided for treatment intervention, school accommodations, and home strategies. A feedback session with Dr. Marshall is included.
Developmental Assessment (Ages 3-5)
A developmental assessment evaluates how a young child is progressing in major areas of development, including cognitive, early learning, language, attention, and social-emotional skills. These assessments help identify delays or differences early, when intervention can be critical, and provide families with clear recommendations for preschool, home, and early therapeutic support.
What We Assess
- ADHD — all presentations
- Learning disabilities: dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia
- Anxiety disorders
- Depression and mood concerns
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Intellectual and developmental concerns
- Giftedness
- Executive functioning difficulties
- Behavioral and emotional regulation challenges
- School-related stress and performance concerns
How the Process Works
Step 1 — Initial Consultation
Testing can begin with a referral from a pediatrician, neurologist, teacher, or school counselor, or by contacting us directly. We'll discuss your child's history and concerns and determine which type of assessment is most appropriate.
Step 2 — Testing Session(s)
Testing takes place at our Alpharetta office over one or more sessions, depending on the scope of the evaluation. Sessions are scheduled with your child's age and stamina in mind. Parents remain at the facility during testing but not in the room, as standardized testing requires independent administration.
Step 3 — Scoring & Interpretation
Dr. Marshall scores and interprets all testing materials herself. She reviews results alongside intake information, developmental history, and any prior records provided.
Step 4 — Report & Feedback
You receive a written report with test results, clinical impressions, diagnoses where applicable, and specific recommendations. A feedback session is scheduled to review findings and answer questions.
Step 5 — Next Steps
The report is written to be usable — by you, your child's school, their therapist, or their pediatrician. We can help you think through how to act on the findings as part of your child's ongoing care.
Why Testing Matters for Children
Children who struggle without explanation often internalize that struggle. Over time, many develop a belief — sometimes a very fixed one — that they are simply not smart, not capable, or not trying hard enough. That narrative can be more damaging than the underlying challenge itself.
A clear diagnosis doesn't solve everything, but it does change the frame. It gives children, parents, and teachers a more accurate understanding of what's actually happening. And it opens the door to supports and interventions that are matched to the real problem rather than a guess.
Psychological testing is not about labeling a child. It's about understanding one — specifically, accurately, and in a way that leads somewhere useful.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Dr. Rebecca Marshall
Rebecca L. Marshall, Ph.D., is a clinical neuropsychologist with more than 25 years of experience evaluating children, adolescents, and young adults. She earned her doctorate in neuropsychology from the University of Toronto and has worked across medical, research, and educational settings, including several years as a professor at the University of Texas Medical School in Houston. She has authored more than 35 published journal articles, bringing both clinical and research depth to her work with families.
Dr. Marshall administers, scores, and interprets all testing at our Alpharetta office. Every evaluation includes a feedback session where she walks families through the findings and explains, in clear and practical terms, what the results mean and what to do next.
Because testing happens within DK Counseling Services, findings don't sit in a report on a shelf. When appropriate, results can directly inform care with our therapists and our psychiatric team, so the path from understanding a child's challenges to treating them stays connected and coordinated under one roof.