Psychological Testing in Raleigh, NC
Understanding your child’s strengths, learning needs, and next steps.
When your child is struggling at school or home, understanding what’s underneath those challenges can make a meaningful difference. Birch Therapy offers psychological testing for children and adolescents ages 7–17, helping families across Raleigh, North Raleigh, and Durham better understand their child and find a clearer path forward.
Understanding Psychological Testing
Psychological testing explores how your child learns, thinks, manages emotions, and experiences the world. By looking at cognitive, academic, emotional, and behavioral functioning, an assessment can help explain difficulties that may otherwise feel confusing or disconnected.
At Birch Therapy, testing begins with the questions your family hopes to answer. Results bring together your child’s strengths and support needs, with personalized recommendations for home, school, and ongoing care.
Signs You or Your Child May Benefit
Sometimes a child is working hard but still having difficulty keeping up. Other times, emotional or behavioral changes leave families wondering what kind of support would help. An assessment may be a useful next step when you notice:
Common Struggles We Support
Persistent challenges with reading, writing, math, or comprehension.
Difficulty focusing, remembering instructions, or completing tasks.
Emotional or behavioral concerns affecting daily life.
Frequent frustration, school avoidance, or distress around schoolwork.
Challenges with communication, social interactions, or sensory experiences.
A gap between your child’s apparent abilities and school performance.
You do not need to know exactly what is happening before reaching out. Your questions help guide the assessment.
How Psychological Testing Can Help
Learn more about your child’s strengths and the factors contributing to learning, attention, emotional, or behavioral challenges.
Receive findings and recommendations that can inform requests for IEPs, 504 Plans, classroom accommodations, and specialized instruction.
Understand which next steps may be helpful, including therapy, tutoring, additional services, or changes to everyday routines.
Build a shared understanding that helps you communicate your child’s needs with teachers, caregivers, and other professionals.
Our Approach to Assessment
Every child brings a different combination of strengths, experiences, and needs. Our psychologist, Kate Bridgers, tailors the assessment to your family’s questions and structures testing sessions around your child, including breaks as needed.
Kate has provided psychological testing in private practice and charter school settings. Her approach brings assessment findings together with practical recommendations, helping families understand what the results mean and how to use them.
What to Expect During Therapy
Each family's experience is unique. Support is based on your family's needs and whether you choose Parent Coaching, Parenting Classes/COSP, support from our Parent Coordinator, or Emotion Coaching.
Initial Consultation
Assessment Sessions
Feedback & Recommendations
Begin with a free consultation with Kate to discuss your concerns and whether testing is a good fit. The assessment process then starts with a two-hour clinical interview, typically with parents or caregivers, to review developmental history and identify the questions testing will explore.
Your child completes individualized testing using standardized assessment tools. Sessions typically last about two hours, with breaks as needed, and may require up to three appointments. Information from caregivers, teachers, and other relevant sources helps provide a fuller picture.
After reviewing the findings, Kate meets with parents or caregivers for a 50-minute feedback session. You receive a comprehensive report with personalized recommendations. A separate, age-appropriate feedback session for your child may also be helpful, and school-focused reports or letters are available upon request.
Areas We Assess
Birch Therapy works with children, teens, and families navigating learning, attention, school, and executive function challenges.
Learning Differences
Emotional Concerns
Attention & ADHD
Problematic Sexual Behavior (PSB) assessments
Autism
Testing & School Support
Benefits Beyond the Assessment
Psychological testing, IEP/School Support, and coaching give children and families tools to navigate school, home, and the transitions ahead. Early identification and support can make a significant difference in a child's academic success, emotional well-being, and confidence.
Clearer Direction
Move forward with a better understanding of your child’s needs and practical recommendations for support.
Shared Understanding
Help caregivers, educators, and providers work from a more consistent picture of your child.
Greater Confidence
Give your child language for their experiences and help them recognize the strengths they bring.
Informed Decisions
Use assessment findings to guide choices about learning environments, therapy, and additional resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
Schedule Your Free Discovery Call
You deserve a clearer understanding of what your child is experiencing and how to help. Whether your concerns involve learning, attention, emotions, or school support, Birch Therapy can help you explore the next step.
Schedule a free discovery call to discuss your questions and learn whether psychological testing is right for your family.