Clinic Information

Coordinator: Brooke Ammerman

Location: Psychology 1 (for map, click here)

Hours: By Appointment

Phone: (319) 273-7941

Fax: (319) 273-3173

Clinic Director

John E. Williams, Ph.D.

Licensed Psychologist, IA #00960

Office: Psychology 1

Phone: (319) 273-6297

Email: john.williams@uni.edu

The Psychological Assessment Clinic is a not-for-profit training facility that is associated with the Clinical Science Psychology graduate program at the University of Northern Iowa. Clinicians are graduate students who are supervised by John E. Williams, Ph.D. Dr. Williams is a Licensed Psychologist and a faculty member at the University of Northern Iowa with clinical and research interests in psychological assessment.

The clinic has three main functions:

• To offer low-cost psychological assessment services to the University of Northern Iowa, and the Northeast and Central Iowa areas
• To provide professional clinical training for Clinical Science Psychology graduate students
• To support clinically relevant research projects

We provide diagnostic services to the university and surrounding communities. Assessments are provided for clients of various ages, including school age children to adults. Some common reasons why an individual may come in for an assessment are: evaluation of academic achievement and cognitive ability; evaluation of attention and concentration; and evaluation for emotional/psychological difficulties.

Generally an assessment takes place in three sessions: consultation, testing, and feedback. The consultation session allows the clinician to review the client’s current difficulties, discuss the testing procedures, and schedule testing. Testing sessions vary based on the client’s needs, but normally include an interview about the client’s history, tests related to the client’s needs, and questionnaires the client (or guardian) is asked to complete. Within two weeks after the testing session, the client is invited to return to the clinic for a feedback session, where the conclusions of the assessment and recommendations will be discussed. This session allows the client to ask any questions and to ensure they understand the results.

Individuals may come into the clinic for many different reasons, but the majority seek one of the following types of assessments:

Comprehensive ADHD Evaluation - This evaluation examines attention and concentration in a more comprehensive manner. Similar procedures to the ADHD screening will take place; clients will participate in an interview, fill out questionnaires, and complete testing on the computer to evaluate attention. Additionally, cognitive ability and achievement testing (explained below) will be administered.

Learning Disability Assessment – Learning problems can arise from difficulties in many different areas, like intellectual ability or academic skills, and may affect school performance. Assessments of learning disabilities include cognitive ability and achievement testing, in addition to an interview and questionnaires filled out by the client. Cognitive ability testing gives an estimate of aptitude for the cognitive demands of work or school. The Wechsler Intelligence Scales or Woodcock-Johnson Cognitive Scales are normally used, but alternative tests are available. Achievement tests tell what basic skills (i.e. reading skills and comprehension, mathematical calculation and reasoning skills, and written expression) the client has acquired. The clinic commonly uses the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test and the Woodcock-Johnson Test of Achievement.

Comprehensive Psychological Evaluations – Psychological evaluations examine emotional distress and personality; problems in academic or job performance can be the result of emotional difficulties. Clients may be asked to fill out questionnaires and complete a personality inventory, along with participating in an interview. Personality inventories often used in the clinic are the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2, Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-Revised Form, and the Personality Assessment Inventory. These evaluations may also include cognitive ability and achievement testing.

Memory Testing/Neuropsychology Screenings - In some cases, memory problems may account for learning difficulties or can interfere with day-to-day activities. After an interview, immediate and delayed memory for both visually and orally presented information may be evaluated, typically through the use of the Wechsler Memory Scales and the Wide Range Assessment of Memory and Learning.

In addition to the assessments mentioned, the clinic offers a variety of additional or alternative tests that may be used to best address the specific needs of each client.

The following are fees typically charged for each type of evaluation. However, fees may change based on the specific needs of the client and should be discussed during the consultation session.

ADHD Screening - $125

Learning Disability Assessment - $450

Full Evaluation (includes cognitive abilities, achievement and personality testing) - $450

In unique circumstances, which will be judged on a case-by-case basis, individual tests to meet a client's specific need can be administered for $150.

For a limited number of cases per academic year, the fee can be reduced via a sliding scale depending on monthly family income and number of dependents. In these cases, the client must present a most recent pay stub or W2 statement.