evaluations and assessments

The decision to have someone assessed is an important one, and choosing a psychologist to complete this evaluation is just as important. At Whitianga Psychology I keep up-to-date with the latest available psychological assessments and research. My assessments are ‘user friendly’, comprehensive and individualized, and as a result, assessments are completed carefully with attention to detail. I strongly believe that conducting assessments through a variety of data-collection methods (direct assessment administration, observations, interviews, consulting previous records and consulting other professionals involved, etc.) allow us to best understand the person’s behavioural and emotional presentation, as well as academic and cognitive functioning.

There are a number of reasons organisations, parents/caregivers and schools request an assessment. My comprehensive evaluations will be helpful in answering questions regarding the person’s overall developmental profile (including strengths versus areas that may need support), as well as emotional and behavioral functioning.

Upon completion of an assessment, extensive time is spent interpreting the results and explaining them in a manner that is understandable to the reader, thereby providing practical and useful suggestions. My assessment reports are accepted by medical doctors, ICAMHS, Oranga Tamariki, NZQA, and in public and private schools, and can assist people in receiving the necessary accommodations and services they may need to be set up for future success. The written report serves as a professional guideline to provide support in identified areas of need, thus also assisting the assessed person to gain social and academic confidence and a sense of self-efficacy.

Assessments available:

• Cognitive Assessments

  • Psycho-educational Assessments – Specific Learning Difficulties

  • Developmental Difficulties (ADHD)

  • Emotional/Behavioral Evaluations

  • ASD screening

Parenting ASSESSMENTS

Parenting assessments (also for Oranga Tamariki) are conducted via interviews (with parents, children and other professionals involved). Observations (at home and school) are also completed.

Assessments with parents are conducted in the areas of:

• Parent Problem Solving skills

• Being a Parent

• Parenting Styles

• Quality of Family Relationships

• Parent Depression/Anxiety/Stress Levels

• Family Functioning levels

Common referral reasons

Common referral reasons are usually to provide clarification regarding:

• Hyperactivity and Impulsivity

• Autism Spectrum and related disorders

• Oppositional Defiant and Conduct Disorder

• Impulsive Aggression

• Risk Assessment and Safety Plans

• Early Childhood and Developmental Concerns

• Specific Learning Difficulties (dyslexia, dyscalculia, Developmental Co-ordination Disorder etc.)

• Mood Disorders (Anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, excessive reassurance seeking)

• Childhood undesired sexualised behaviour

• Executive functioning issues (lying, stealing and swearing)

• Classroom/school-wide Self-regulation programmes

• Reactions to traumatic events

• Undesired academic functioning

• Lack of foundation skills such as turn-taking, sharing, sportsmanship, waiting etc.

• Absconding from classroom/school grounds without permission

Special Assessment Conditions

The NZ Qualifications Authority ensures that New Zealand qualifications are valued as credible and robust both nationally and internationally. In addition, students with: 

• Severe concentration and/or impulse control/difficulty

• Disruptive behaviour

• Need for stability and routine

• Anxiety in formal assessment

• Inaccurate or slow and effortful reading

• Poor written expression that lacks clarity

• Difficulties remembering number facts, or inaccurate mathematical reasoning

may be entitled to special assessment conditions (SAC). Special Assessment Conditions (SAC) provide extra help for approved students when they are being assessed (from secondary school up to university), allowing them a fair opportunity to achieve. SAC was originally developed to align with, and support, the examination-based assessment system of schools and Universities.

I can support an application via an appropriate  professional report to support applications for SAC. SAC usually includes extra time, the use of assistive technology, a reader and/or a writer,  or separate accommodation during formal assessments. 

Neuro-psychotherapy

Neuro-psychotherapy is an approach to therapy integrating the fields of psychology, neuroscience and psychotherapy. I help you to work on the emotional parts of your brain with targeted skills training. I provide intervention support for issues such as anxiety/panic, depression, OCD, sleep disturbance, general mood issues and trauma.

I use key principles, like the basic mechanisms of the way that people learn - that is: avoidance and approach behaviour, and the implications of people’s needs for safety, control, pleasure, pain avoidance, as well as neuroplasticity (ability to learn new behaviour) in order to enhance your resilience.

Intervention support will provide you with a good understanding on how to enhance effective change in your life, it does not matter how old you are. I will teach you skills on how to build your own capacity to help yourself in future.

Professional presentations

I provide consultations and present professional learning to parents, Early Childhood Education Centres, schools, SWiS, social workers and other professionals on a variety of topics. If you are interested in securing a professional development engagement, contact Whitianga Psychology for more information. These are some of the most popular topics that have previously been offered and which have been well received - the names of multiple referees are available on request. However, professional learning can be tailored to suit your specific needs:

• Anxiety and Excessive Shyness in School Children (including selective mutism)

• ADHD: Assessment and Intervention

• Function of Behavior and practical support strategies for home and school

• Coping with Sibling Rivalry and Family Conflicts

• 'Good-enough' Parenting

• Habits of a successful family

• Creating Successful Homework and Organization Skills

• Empathy: Creating a Caring Classroom Community

• Building capability (fostering independence), healthy sleep habits and adaptive skills in your child

• Classroom Interventions to Build Social Competence

• Attachment issues & helping children cope with Trauma

• Depression and Anxiety in Children

• Raising Emotionally Healthy and Socially Competent Children

• Strategies for Potty Training Success

• Transitioning to a new classroom or school

• Children presenting with undesired Sexualised Behaviour

ADDITIONAL SERVICES:

• Consultation and liaison with developmental paediatricians, schools, social workers and other health care professionals (ICAMHS, occupational, speech and language, and Occupational Therapists; ABA specialists) to assist with assessment and intervention support planning

• School re-entry services, including participation in IEPs, safety and behavior plans as appropriate

If the service you are looking for is not listed above, please do not hesitate to contact Whitianga Psychology. I may be able to provide you with the service, or a referral to another professional who is able to meet your needs.