Psychological Evaluations in Portland, Maine
Clear answers for emotional and behavioral concerns, ages 5 to 21
Clear answers for emotional and behavioral concerns
When a child's worries, moods or behavior start getting in the way at home or school, it's hard to know what's really going on or what will help. A psychological evaluation gives you a clear picture: what's driving the difficulties, whether a diagnosis fits, and a specific plan for home, school and treatment.
We evaluate children, teens and young adults ages 5 to 21 at our downtown Portland office, and you can start with a free 15-minute call with Dr. DiGiovanni.
When an evaluation can help
Families often reach out after a pediatrician, therapist or school suggests an evaluation, or when they find themselves thinking:
What we evaluate
Anxiety
Generalized worry, social anxiety, panic and school avoidance.
OCD
Unwanted thoughts and rituals that are hard to control.
Depression and mood
Low mood, irritability and other mood concerns.
Emotional and behavioral regulation
Anger, meltdowns and defiance at home or school.
Autism
When social and communication concerns are part of the question.
Learn about autism evaluations →What the evaluation looks at
Every evaluation is built around your questions. Depending on your child, it can include:
What you'll walk away with
What the different names mean
You may hear several names for evaluations. They overlap a lot, and each one simply puts more weight on certain areas.
| Psychological | Psychoeducational | Neuropsychological | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puts more weight on | Emotions, behavior and social-emotional functioning | Reading, writing, math and learning skills | Thinking skills: attention, memory, language, problem-solving |
| Common questions | Anxiety, OCD, depression, behavior | Dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, school supports | ADHD, autism, medical conditions that affect thinking |
| Conducted by | Dr. DiGiovanni or Dr. Blair | Dr. DiGiovanni or Dr. Blair | Dr. DiGiovanni, pediatric neuropsychologist |
| You are here | Learn more | Learn more |
One evaluation, built around your question. At Beacon Light, every evaluation is a comprehensive evaluation at the same price, designed to answer your specific question. You don't need to know which type to ask for. On your free call, we'll listen to your concerns and recommend the right approach. Learn about our evaluations →
How the evaluation works
Free 15-minute call
Talk with Dr. DiGiovanni about your concerns and whether an evaluation makes sense.
Paperwork from home
Consent and background forms, completed online.
Intake interview · 1–1.5 hours
By Zoom, with parents, or with you if you're a young adult.
Testing · 3–5 hours
At our downtown Portland office, with breaks as needed.
Feedback · 1–2 hours
Usually in person. We go over results, any diagnoses and recommendations.
Your written report
Within a few days of feedback, ready to share with a school, college or doctor.
- Includes the intake, all testing, scoring and interpretation, feedback and a full written report
- $400 at intake and the rest at testing
- HSA and FSA funds welcome, and CareCredit financing is available
- Superbill provided for possible out-of-network reimbursement
Common questions about psychological evaluations
Will my child get a diagnosis?
Only if one fits. Many evaluations do lead to a diagnosis, but our goal is understanding, not a label. Either way, you'll leave with a clear explanation of what's going on and what to do next.
How is this different from a school evaluation?
School evaluations decide whether a student qualifies for special education services. They usually don't diagnose conditions like anxiety, depression or OCD. Our evaluations look more deeply at emotional and behavioral functioning, and our recommendations cover home and treatment as well as school.
How do I explain the evaluation to my child?
We'll give you age-appropriate language during the intake. For most children, "You'll do some activities and answer questions so we can understand how to help" is enough.
Is any of it virtual?
The intake interview is by Zoom. Testing happens in person at our downtown Portland office, and the feedback session is usually in person.
Do you prescribe medication?
No. If medication may help, we can share results and recommendations with your child's pediatrician or another prescriber, with your permission.
What happens after the evaluation?
The report includes specific next steps. If therapy or parent coaching is recommended, our team offers both, so you can continue with people who already know your child.
Will insurance pay for it?
We don't bill insurance, but we provide a superbill for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Coverage varies widely by plan, so we recommend calling your insurer first. See our reimbursement guide.
Ready to get clear answers?
Book a free 15-minute call with Dr. DiGiovanni to talk through your concerns and whether an evaluation makes sense. There's no obligation to book.