Psychological Evaluations
Whether you’re an adult navigating focus issues, mood changes, or long-standing questions about how your mind works—or a parent trying to understand your child’s challenges—psychological evaluations can help bring clarity, direction, and peace of mind.
At Tucson Outpatient Psychiatry, we offer in-depth, personalized evaluations for both adults and children, with the goal of identifying strengths, diagnosing concerns, and providing actionable recommendations to support daily life and emotional well-being.
What Are Psychological Evaluations?
Psychological evaluations are formal assessments used to better understand cognitive, emotional, behavioral, or social functioning. These evaluations can:
- Identify learning differences or attention issues (like ADHD)
- Clarify diagnoses such as anxiety, depression, or mood disorders
- Assess memory, processing speed, or problem-solving abilities
- Explore personality patterns and emotional regulation
- Guide treatment decisions, school supports, or workplace accommodations
Evaluations are especially helpful when symptoms are confusing, multiple diagnoses are possible, or prior treatment hasn’t been fully effective.
Who Can Benefit from Psychological Testing?
You might consider an evaluation if you are:
- An adult who feels misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or overlooked
- Struggling with attention, memory, or processing challenges
- Experiencing persistent anxiety, mood swings, or emotional distress
- Unsure if medication or therapy is targeting the right issue
- Seeking support for school, work, or disability accommodations
Or if you are a parent, you may want an evaluation for your child if they:
- Struggle with attention, learning, or memory
- Exhibit sudden behavioral changes or emotional outbursts
- Have difficulty at school despite effort or support
- Seem anxious, withdrawn, or overwhelmed by routine demands
- Need documentation for an IEP, 504 Plan, or other educational services
Is Your Child Struggling? Here's When to Consider a Psychological Evaluation
As a parent, it can be incredibly difficult to watch your child struggle—especially when you’re not sure why, or how to help.
If your child is falling behind in school, struggling to focus, or acting out in ways that feel unmanageable or out of character, a psychological evaluation can offer insight, clarity, and a path forward.
You may want to consider an evaluation if your child:
- Has trouble focusing, sitting still, or following directions
- Becomes easily frustrated or emotionally overwhelmed
- Has difficulty keeping up academically despite strong effort
- Experiences frequent outbursts, shutdowns, or defiance
- Seems unusually anxious, withdrawn, or unmotivated
- Is struggling with friendships, school behavior, or classroom expectations
- Has been referred for special education, accommodations, or behavioral support
- You feel something is “off,” even if you can’t put it into words
Evaluations can help determine if your child is dealing with ADHD, learning differences, anxiety, depression, or other challenges—and most importantly, guide what to do next. Whether your goal is to pursue therapy, qualify for an IEP or 504 Plan, or simply understand your child better, we’re here to help.
At Tucson Outpatient Psychiatry, we approach every child with patience, care, and respect. Our goal is not to label your child—it’s to understand them, and to help you advocate for what they need to thrive.
We offer psychological evaluations for both adults and children ages 6 and up.
Cristel Alcocer, PsyD
Alison Coelho, PsyD
We provide psychological evaluations for both adults and children ages 6 and up. Adults may seek an evaluation to clarify a diagnosis, explore cognitive or emotional patterns, or guide treatment. Parents often pursue evaluations to understand academic, behavioral, or emotional concerns in their child and get recommendations for support at home or in school.
You may want to consider a psychological evaluation if your child:
- Struggles to focus, follow directions, or complete schoolwork
- Is falling behind academically despite effort and support
- Has frequent emotional outbursts or behavioral issues
- Shows signs of anxiety, depression, or social withdrawal
- Has difficulty regulating emotions or routines
- Needs documentation for an IEP, 504 Plan, or other accommodations
Evaluations can provide a clear picture of what your child is experiencing—and how to help.
Evaluations can help diagnose conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and more. In some cases, results may also help confirm that no formal diagnosis is present but still offer helpful insights and recommendations.
You can self-refer for an evaluation. However, if the evaluation is being used for legal, school, or medical clearance purposes (e.g., IEPs, surgery prep), your provider or school may request specific documentation.