Our Testing Process
The testing process usually involves THREE appointments.
STEP 1: Consultation
The first step in our testing process is the consultation appointment. It will typically last somewhere between 45 minutes and 1 hour. This appointment is necessary in determining if testing is warranted and, if so, what tests are needed for the psychologist to determine an accurate diagnosis. The psychologist will ask questions about the patient’s concerns, symptoms, childhood and development, traumatic history, psychiatric history, medical history, education, occupation, social history, substance use, and coping & supports.
After the consultation, our Testing Coordinators will reach out to schedule the next two steps. The time between the consultation and the next step (testing day) may differ based on the type of testing ordered by the psychologist, but the entire process may take several months.
What to bring
- If the client has had previous testing, bring copies to your evaluation, or email them to [email protected] prior to the consultation.
- Please bring a list of current medications to this appointment.
For minors
If this appointment is for a child:
- The child MUST be present for this appointment, even if the appointment is via telehealth.
- A parent or legal guardian who is able to answer questions about the child’s symptoms, background information, and medical information needs to accompany the child.
- If you (the parent or legal guardian) want to share something with the provider you would not like your child to hear, we have the following recommendations:
- For young children, a second adult can accompany the child to the waiting room for part of the assessment or the parent can provide a previously written document. For telehealth sessions, the appointment can be divided to include time with the child and without. If you have a preference regarding this, please let the psychologist know at the beginning of the session.
- For teens, it is recommended that all information be provided with the teen present. In the state of TN, teenagers 16 years of age or older hold confidentiality rights. Therefore, the psychologist will typically not be able to talk to parents privately without the teen’s consent via a signed release of information. However, even when the teen consents, it is typically not recommended that providers and parents talk about the teen without them being present except in extenuating circumstances. Limits of confidentiality include serious suicidal ideation, homicidal ideation, or abuse. In these cases, information may be shared without the teen’s consent.
STEP 2. Testing
The second step in our process is the testing day. This appointment is when the patient will take the tests that are pre-determined by their psychologist. The testing is administered by a Certified Psychological Examiner or graduate student, not your psychologist. Students are supervised and have been through an extensive training program to ensure competency. All results will be interrupted by a psychologist.
Our testing includes a multitude of tests, which are necessary for diagnosis. Testing may last a few hours or longer. Testing appointments must begin in the morning, due to the length of time these appointments can take. Testing will conclude sometime in the afternoon depending on tests ordered, pace, breaks, etc. If there are any assessments not completed by 4:00 pm, the client will have to return another day to complete testing. The time between the consultation and the testing day may differ based on the type of testing ordered by the psychologist among other factors, but will generally take a few months or more. The testing day must be scheduled as an in-person appointment at one of our testing locations. See our What to Expect—Testing Appointment page for more information on the day of testing.
STEP 3. Results
The third step in our process is the test results appointment. While scheduling the testing day, the Testing Coordinators will also usually schedule the results appointment. The results appointment is scheduled for at least a few weeks after the testing day. This appointment typically lasts between 45 minutes and 1 hour.
In this appointment, the psychologist will discuss the results of the tests with the patient (and/or patient’s parent/legal guardian if patient is under the age of 16) and give diagnoses that correlate with the results and evaluation of the testing. Next steps for treatment are also discussed. Patients are encouraged to ask any questions they have about the test results and next steps.
Patients 16 years or older should always be present for the results appointment. Participation is recommended for younger teens as well, but not required. Young children are not required to be present for feedback sessions.
Additional Information
We accept most major insurances. However, we do not accept TennCare or Ascension.
Self-pay cost: $250 first appointment, $1200-$2800 for the actual testing, last appointment is included in cost of testing. We will provide an estimate at the time of scheduling the second and third appointment, but will be unable to do so before that point.
Cancellation fee: There is a cancellation fee of $200 for not showing up to or cancelling your testing day appointment within 3 business days (72 hours, not including weekends) of the appointment. Please call or text our main line number (877) 641-1155 if you need to cancel your appointment. Due to the impact of alcohol and drug consumption on cognitive functioning, if you endorse the consumption of alcohol or illicit drugs 24 hours prior to your appointment, you will be asked to reschedule and will be charged the no-show fee.
Emergencies and illness are an exception to this rule. Please reach out to discuss if this occurs. Please do not come to your testing appointment sick.
For consultation and results appointments, the cancellation fee is $100, which is applied for not showing up to or cancelling your appointment within 2 business days (48 hours, not including weekends) of the appointment.
Additionally, if you are more than 10 minutes late to your appointment, your appointment may have to be rescheduled due to time constraints and conflicts with other appointments. Please call (877) 641-1155 if you are going to be late.
Rescheduling Policy: We will only reschedule a testing day appointment two times. After a third testing day appointment is cancelled, we will no longer reschedule the client for any testing day appointments.
Testing Timeline: Our timeline for testing can vary. This is due to the high demand for psychological testing in our region and to Athena Care’s commitment to accepting insurance. You may be waiting several months between your consultation and your testing day.
Testing Locations: Your testing can be done at any Athena Care location where testing is available (Please note all testing is not offered at all locations). You do not have to go to the same office for testing as you did for your consultation appointment. Our Testing Coordinators will inform you of what locations at Athena Care are available for testing when you are in contact with them.
Scheduling the Testing: The time between the consultation and scheduling your testing appointment can vary, and, at times, be a wait of several weeks. Regardless, once you have had a consultation, you are in line for testing. A variety of factors can shorten or extend this time, including verifying insurance benefits, prior authorization requirements of your insurance, current waitlist, etc. When these times are extended, please be aware our Testing Coordinators are working hard to work through their list as quickly as they can, but everyone is contacted to be scheduled in the order they were submitted for testing. You can contact us at (877) 641-1155 to reach our testing team to inquire about scheduling the next appointment.
ADHD Medication: If you are on medication for ADHD, please inform the psychologist during your consultation and testing examiner the day of testing. Medication for ADHD can affect testing scores. Please do not take stimulant medication or nonstimulant medication prescribed for ADHD before your testing appointment. Our testing team has protocols for testing people who are on medications for ADHD so we can get the most accurate results possible. You may, however, take any other daily medications. You may also bring medication for ADHD with you to the testing appointment and take it after completing assessments of attention. Be sure to tell your examiner that you would like to do so.
Telehealth Appointments: If your consultation and/or test results appointment is scheduled for telehealth, you usually must be in the state of Tennessee in order for our psychologists to conduct telehealth services. This is due to licensure reasons. However, some psychologists are licensed with other states, and if you are located out of Tennessee or will be located in a different state for a telehealth appointment, you can ask about working with one of these providers (depending on the state you are located in). Please keep this in mind when scheduling.
Additionally, here is the link to all our providers’ telehealth waiting rooms for your telehealth appointment: https://www.athenacare.health/waitingroom/
When it is time for your telehealth appointment, please find your provider’s name on this directory and click the link to their virtual waiting room.
For minors: Patients under the age of 16 must be accompanied by their legal guardian for the consultation and the test results appointments. Patients ages 16 and up must attend the test results appointment. Participation is recommended for younger teens as well, but not required. Young children are not required to be present for feedback sessions.
Achievement Testing: Athena Care can conduct Achievement testing for assessment of learning disorders. This is not an IQ test; rather, it focuses on academic performance. Insurance does not cover this testing because it is considered educational, as opposed to medical, so it has a flat rate fee. Additionally, it will add a full day of testing on top of the recommended psychological evaluation. This testing must be done with a psychological evaluation, so instead of 3 appointments, it will be 4 appointments.
DISCLAIMER: TESTING DOES NOT GUARANTEE ANY PARTICULAR DIAGNOSIS OR ACCESS TO ANY PARTICULAR MEDICATION OR TREATMENT.
If you have any additional questions regarding testing at Athena Care, please call or text us at (877) 641-1155.