What is the difference between therapy and assessment?

Psychological assessments and therapy are closely related but distinct services. While therapy focuses on ongoing support and skill-building, psychological assessments (also called psychological testing or evaluation) provide a structured, evidence-based way to understand a person’s cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning. Assessments can answer specific questions about a wide range of concerns — including autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and learning disabilities — as well as mood and anxiety disorders, trauma-related conditions, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and personality/relationship patterns. These evaluations are available for both children and adults.

Clinical psychologists are uniquely trained to administer, score, and interpret standardized tests that help clarify complex clinical presentations. This may include cognitive tests such as the WISC or WAIS, academic measures like the WIAT, social and adaptive assessments such as the ADOS or Vineland, and personality or emotional measures like the MMPI or PAI. Additionally, testing may also include instruments to assess attention, executive functioning, and emotional well-being, particularly when there are questions about ADHD, depression, anxiety, and trauma.

Assessments can also be extremely valuable when there is uncertainty about diagnosis or when symptoms overlap across multiple areas. For example, difficulties with focus, motivation, and sleep can occur in ADHD,  depression, trauma, or anxiety; social withdrawal may relate to autism, social anxiety, or trauma. A thorough assessment goes far beyond a questionnaire—it integrates information from a clinical interview, developmental and medical history, collateral reports (such as from teachers, partners, or family), and standardized testing. This comprehensive approach allows for a careful differential diagnosis, helping distinguish between conditions with similar symptoms and identifying what is primary versus secondary.

Therapy, on the other hand, is an ongoing process during which clients work with a therapist to address specific goals. Psychologists at Richmond Family Psychology can provide cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for ADHD, parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT), exposure and response prevention (ERP) for OCD, dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) for mood concerns, and much more! While it may be helpful to have an assessment completed before beginning therapy, it is not always necessary. You can also schedule an intake appointment to determine the best path forward if you are unsure which service is best for you. After the intake session, your psychologist will develop a treatment plan and help guide you on a path forward. Therapy sessions often occur once a week, but the frequency can be more or less depending on need.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to one of the psychologists at Richmond Family Psychology. We’re happy to help!