Psychological Testing

Last Updated on December 27, 2023
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

Psychological testing has been used for decades to measure a person’s mental and emotional health, and now, in the 21st century, its role is ever-expanding. From depression, anger, anxiety, or stress, psychological tests can help identify these issues without having to go through invasive means such as therapy sessions that could be costly. In fact, some companies require applicants for employment to submit along with their resume a completed battery of standardized psychometric tests which will then evaluate skills like verbal communication abilities in addition to measuring mental health levels.

How much does psychological testing cost?

In general, psychological testing can be commissioned at a per-hour rate or as one flat fee. The average session for a full psychological assessment will range anywhere from $150 to $220 without insurance, depending on where you are and who the psychologist is. A complete test usually requires more than one appointment, which brings the total cost up to around $1,500 – $3,700.

It’s a tough decision to make when it comes down to how much you should spend on mental health. On one hand, there are cheaper options like taking questionnaires and watching videos of people talking about their experiences. But these may not be as effective since they don’t involve the therapist in any way. If you want someone who can provide direct interaction and work with you on a solution, then it’ll cost more because psychologists have experience with treating cases that might require an extensive amount of time. They also offer complete privacy.

Psychologists and mental health professionals are usually not cheap. To see how much it might cost, Valueoptions.com has compiled data from 2012 to the present day for the country’s most popular cities. The rates vary depending on where you live but psychologists in New York City charge a median fee of $155/hour.

A clinic in Atlanta is charging $850 for an assessment of children under the age of four, while assessments on kids older than five can cost upwards of $1,700. The costs depend greatly on the type and severity of the disorder being assessed, with their rate per hour being only around $160.

Dr. Duke charges an average of $500 to $4,500 for her full assessments depending on the session length, and the total number of hours invested.

Psychological testing details

The time it will take to complete an assessment depends on how long each individual test is. The shorter tests may only require 15 minutes while more involved assessments may last up to 120 minutes. The time that you are billed for includes not only administration and scoring but also the development of a final report once your results have been delivered, with interpretation included as well.

You might also like our articles about the cost of counseling sessions, sleep center treatment or yoga classes.

The psychologist will conduct an interview and even assign a test during the session. After the session is finished, they’ll make their assessment, give you details about your strengths and weaknesses, as well as provide you with self-reports to help measure progress over time. Normally, clients are asked to return a few weeks later so that professionals can discuss what was learned from assessments done in initial sessions – this includes any referrals made by therapists. You should also be provided with all of these details on paper.

The after-care process starts with an assessment of the client’s needs. The professional will have to determine which treatment option is best for the client. Each case varies from person to person.

The American Health & Wellness Institute breaks down common types of tests that can be used to evaluate giftedness, ADD/learning disabilities, autism, and Asperger’s disorder or social problems. The institute then categorizes the different tests to help you understand how they work in detail.

What are the extra costs?

If you are looking for a reliable evaluation, there are many factors that may come into play including the type of test required and whether or not the medication is necessary. Extra costs like follow-up sessions and therapy can also add up quickly so it’s important to do your research before making any decisions. A psychologist could charge anywhere from $100-$200 per page for creating an assessment report depending on what they recommend in their findings, which will be given based on all circumstances involved.

Questions to ask a professional

• Who will check my test?
• What is being checked and how long does it take?
• Do I need to bring anything special with me?
• Can I see my results?
• What are the expected costs?

Important things to consider

Only people who are licensed as clinical psychologists, school psychologists, and counseling psychologists will be able to do these tests. They must follow the rules set out by their licensing boards for this activity.

How can I save money?

Weighing the pros and cons of a psychological test can be difficult. Sure, you might find some decent prices on websites like Therapists Near Me but they might not offer what’s best for your needs. If this is something that will affect your life in an important way long-term, it’s worth taking a little time to make sure you get just what you want from those tests. So before going ahead with anything, check out various health or mental facilities in your city or nearby areas and talk about prices (most places should be able to give quotes over the phone) as well as quality.

In order to start saving on medical expenses, some clinics may offer discounts for those who pay in cash upfront. Some even provide financing or payment plans.

Depending on the type of insurance policy you have, it’s possible that your provider will cover a limited amount of psychological testing. However, most policies only reimburse a fraction of the costs incurred by such tests and visitations with psychologists or psychiatrists. If this is something you want to explore in more detail and maybe even change your current plan.