Psychological Testing

Fulfills Requirement: Psychological Testing

Psychological and neuropsychological testing is increasingly important for therapists. It is incumbent upon psychotherapists to not only know their clients’ test results but be able to understand their importance and limitations and to interpret and read them critically. Test results aid in understanding clients, and in establishing and assessing goals. A proper understanding of testing can enhance psychotherapists’ perspective on clients.

This intermediate level course fulfills the psychological testing licensing requirements for California LMFT applicants with out-of-state education. The first section of the course presents an overview of testing and considers understanding how testing relates to different cultures and ethnicities and views testing in relation to the complexities of various disorders and individual clients. The second and third sections cover testing for specific disorders and conditions: suicidal risk, geriatric depression and dementia, criminal offenders, anti-racist attitudes and behaviors, and substance users’ habits, self-assessments, and the effects of their substance use upon their performance and cognitions. It includes an examination of the rapidly growing use of computers and smart phone apps for testing and monitoring. Additional resources and references are provided for further study, but they are not part of the course.