Category: Child & Adolescent Counseling (C.O.O.L.)

Written by Haley Williamson, MD, Predoctoral Psychology Intern & Provisionally-Licensed Psychologist

One of the biggest sources of anxiety I hear from clients isn’t the testing itself; it’s not knowing what to expect. Psychological testing can feel mysterious if you’ve never experienced it before. In hopes of easing this anxiety, let’s explore what psychological testing is, why someone might seek it, and what to expect.

What is Psychological Testing? Unlike a typical therapy session, where we sit and talk, psychological testing is a more structured process designed to gather specific information about how someone thinks, learns, feels, and interacts with the world. We use a combination of standardized tests, questionnaires, interviews, and observations to gather this information.

Why Somone Might Seek Psychological Testing

People come to psychological testing for many different reasons, and there’s no “typical” client.
Here are some common situations where one might seek testing:

• For children and teens: Parents might notice their child struggling with reading despite
  excelling in other areas, having difficulty focusing in school, experiencing intense anxiety, or
  showing behaviors that seem different from their peers. Testing can help clarify whether ADHD,
  a learning disability, autism, anxiety, or something else might be contributing to these challenges.

• For adults: Maybe you’ve always felt like you had to work twice as hard as everyone else to stay
  organized. Perhaps you’re wondering if ADHD or anxiety has been affecting your work
  performance. Or you might be seeking clarity about mood patterns or memory concerns. Testing
  provides the objective information needed to understand these experiences and guide treatment.

• For treatment planning: Sometimes individuals already in therapy find that testing helps their
  therapist better understand how to tailor treatment approaches to their specific needs.
  For accommodations: Students or employees might need documentation of a learning disability
  or ADHD to access appropriate accommodations at school or work.

What to Expect During the Testing Process

While every evaluation is unique, here’s a general overview of what the process typically
involves:

• Initial consultation: We start with a conversation about what questions you’re hoping to answer
  and what concerns have brought you in. This helps determine which assessments will be most
  helpful.

• Testing session(s): Depending on the scope of the evaluation, testing might take anywhere from
  two to six hours, sometimes spread across multiple appointments. During testing, you (or your
  child) will be guided through different activities such as answering questions, solving puzzles,
  remembering information, drawing, or completing questionnaires. These may be administered on
  a computer, on paper, verbally, or through hands-on tasks.

• Feedback session: After the clinician has scored all the tests and written a comprehensive report,
  you will be scheduled for a feedback session. This is where we’ll walk you through the results,
  answer any questions you may have, and provide specific recommendations.

• Written report: You’ll receive a detailed written report that summarizes the results, includes the
  diagnosis (if applicable), and outlines recommendations. This report is yours to keep and share
  with other providers, schools, or whoever else might need it.

What Comes Next

If you’ve been wondering whether psychological testing might help answer questions you’ve
been carrying, you don’t have to keep wondering. Testing can provide the clarity and direction
needed to move forward with confidence and the right support.

At Mind & Spirit Counseling Center, we approach psychological testing with compassion and
collaboration. We’re here to walk alongside you through the process, answer your questions, and
help you make sense of the results. If you’re curious about whether testing might be right for
your situation, reach out. Sometimes understanding begins with simply asking the question.

Questions or ready to schedule? Call (515) 274-4006 or request an appointment online. Our team at Mind & Spirit Counseling Center is here to help.

Written by Elizabeth Moreno, Licensed Independent Social Worker

Over the last 10 years, I have had the privilege of walking side by side with hundreds of kiddos and families as they navigate their child’s mental health. Over the years, I have learned the importance of including the family unit in helpful and healthy changes to best support the child in ways that they need. I have seen kids who never thought they would graduate high school, graduate with college degrees. I’ve sat with families that never thought they would be able to eat dinner together as a family without yelling, come together and go on week long vacations.  I’ve seen kids that couldn’t imagine what it would be like living another day, continue to live and thrive despite the challenges that they continue to face. 

Children, teens and families are so resilient. And the work that families and their children put into their health is unlike any other that I have witnessed. The first step is one of the hardest steps to overcome when targeting children’s mental health. It takes courage and trust in providers. The commitment can be large but know that the weekly appointments will turn into monthly, the constant medication changes will turn into finding the right fit for your child, and the sadness and anger that you are feeling now, is not forever, only temporary when you get the support that your child and your family needs. 

Working with kids and families is an honor that is indescribable. If you’ve been a client of mine—thank you—you have changed my life. If you’ve been a family member of mine—thank you for all the trial and error that it takes to find the right course of treatment for your child and for trusting me with the most important piece of your life. It is one of my biggest blessings to serve the children and families that trust me. 

Written by Sierra Lauber, PhD, Postdoctoral Psychologist

Art has a unique ability to reach parts of ourselves that words often cannot. Art in therapy can serve as a powerful medium for expression, exploration, and healing. For clients across the lifespan, art can facilitate a new way of seeing emotions or past experiences, and may help externalize thoughts that are difficult to express aloud. The physical act of making art turns internal experiences into something visible and tangible, allowing clients to translate feelings into form. This process then becomes something the client and therapist can explore together, helping the client build insight, make meaning, and better understand themselves in ways that may not have been possible through talking alone.

Art can help a person better understand how they view themselves in the context of the world. It often becomes a catalyst for conversation, leading to insights that may not have surfaced through talking alone. It offers a way to communicate experiences when words are unavailable or insufficient. On the surface, drawing, painting, collage, or clay work may be mistaken as mere arts and crafts. In reality, these creative processes can profoundly deepen therapeutic engagement. Clients’ artwork may capture something they want to remember, work through, release, or reclaim. The act of creating that image, and deciding what happens to it, can intensify the emotional weight and meaning of the work in ways words alone cannot.

In fact, emerging research suggests that engaging in creative processes like art-making may support the neuroplasticity, or more simply, the brain’s ability to rewire and adapt. This is especially relevant in the mental health field because emerging neuroscience suggests persons struggling with mental health conditions such as depression or PTSD experience disruptions in neuroplasticity, influencing the brains ability to recover from stress. Consequently, there is a growing body of cross disciplinary experts interested in ways creative therapeutic interventions may offer a biologically plausible path toward healing.

All of that emphasized, integrating art into therapy can offer benefits for all ages. This is especially important for adults, who often lose touch with play and creativity as responsibilities grow. Using art in therapy can safely reintroduce these elements in a way that feels accessible. It is not about being an artist; it is about engaging in a process that fosters emotional growth, reflection, and stress relief. Just as play therapy helps children process through play, creative expression can promote healing across the lifespan.

Of course, there are several ways to facilitate therapeutic growth and one of the most critical factors is client and therapist alignment throughout the process. Often times, we see this integrated as a therapy method with children because art is often readily enjoyed. However, for any adults interested but who may be hesitant, I encourage you to remember that art, and its benefits, are for everyone.

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Note: Art Therapy is an evidenced-based, specialized discipline requiring specific training. I am not an Art Therapist, I am a Counseling Psychologist who uses evidence-based therapy in my practice and integrate art as a modality to facilitate and deepen the use of the evidenced based practices I am trained in. Art within therapy to support therapeutic goals, facilitate processing, and deepen the work we do together.

Written by Elizabeth Moreno, Licensed Independent Social Worker

Roses are Red,

Violets are Blue,

Show Love to Others,

And Yourself Too!

February is a time where the holiday of love is celebrated. Most of the time, it is focused on how we can love and care for others and show our gratitude to them. If you are a parent, how can you pour into yourself and your child this month?

Some ways that I encourage parents to show gratitude and love to their children is creating holiday traditions. Cookie decorating, giving the child an affirmation each day of the month, or something as simple as engaging in a game where you begin with “I love you because…” and take turns sharing things you love about one another.

One of my favorite traditions that I engage in is writing a card to those in my inner circles about reasons why I love them.

While pouring love into others is important, it is also important to pour love and healing into ourselves.

Some ways to practice self-love and gratitude this month might include:

• Searching for the sun everyday this month (there is lots of research on how good natural light is for us!)
• Writing affirmations on the mirror each morning
• Dancing to your favorite song
• Taking time to color
• Making a card to yourself about all the reasons why you love yourself (why not?!)

Try to set aside time for yourself each day this month and engage in something that makes you feel
special and loved. Pause, breathe and remind yourself of a reason that you are important, special and
loved.

The more love that you can pour into yourself, the more energy and love you can have for others!

Written by Danielle Foreman, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist

As the school year continues and kids and teens are busy participating in a variety of life activities and sports, it can be a challenge to find quality time together to stay connected. Luckily parents and caregivers have the ability to reaffirm and strengthen the connection and bond with their children using praise and simply validating their child’s experiences and feelings. These small moments of recognition tap into the power of being seen, where children feel valued and understood. While these moments of connection can be very powerful, they often don’t have to be complicated.

Below are some examples of ways you can connect, validate, praise and encourage your children and teens:

• “You have improved since your last game”
• “You organized the toys in your room so well while you were tidying up”
• “That was really thoughtful of you”
• “You look really proud of yourself”
• “Thank you for sharing your thoughts, I love hearing from you”
• “I love spending time with you”
• “I know that you did your best”
• “That was really brave what you did”
• “This family would not be the same without you”
• “You were such a kind and caring friend when you…”
• “I see how much effort you put into (your homework, practice, performance, friendship, etc.)”
• “I admire your confidence”
• “You set such a good example for others by being a team player”
• “You are so resilient and didn’t let that (challenge, mistake, situation, etc.) stop you”
• “Your passion about _____ amazes me”
• “Thank you for being you”
• “You solved that problem! It was tricky but you found a way”
• “I love watching you do things that you enjoy”

Even taking a few minutes a day to connect with your child and teen can help them feel seen and reinforce the love and safety you provide as a caregiver and parent, which in turn can help decrease the sense of isolation and disconnection that so many are struggling with today.

A kind and encouraging word can make all the difference in any person’s day and I hope that the examples provided will inspire you to incorporate the power of being seen by briefly connecting and encouraging your children, teens, and anyone else that you might be around today.

Written by Elizabeth Moreno, Licensed Independent Social Worker

As a child therapist, it is such an honor that parents and caregivers allow me to work individually with their children. We often hear the term “play therapy” used when working with children. Play therapy encompasses many modalities and theories that a therapist can use. Since each child is so different, therapeutic approaches should be tailored accordingly. One of my favorite modalities to use with children, teens, families, and even adults, is Sand Tray Therapy.

So, what is Sand Tray Therapy exactly? Sand Tray is a modality that allows the individual to process intrapersonal and interpersonal issues through the use of verbal and nonverbal communication by using sand tray materials such as miniatures (toys) and a sandbox. This modality enables the therapist to employ both nondirective and directive therapy techniques, helping clients process emotions and situations through play. Sand Tray Therapy is a non-threatening approach that can take the pressure off needing to talk to the therapist and instead using images and a sensory component to allow the client to process.

There are many ways that Sand Tray Therapy can be used. Personally, I like to use it with kids and teens with anxiety or trauma. I also use this modality with families to allow family members to express concerns and emotions in the relationships. Sand Tray Therapy can be great for resistant clients, rapport building and a great exercise to step inside the client’s world.

 “Enter into children’s play and you will find the place where their minds, hearts, and souls meet.”

Virginia Axline

This modality allows just that—expressive sensory meets nonverbal language to assist with processing where the therapist is able to ask questions to explore deeper. The trained therapist is able to identify play therapy themes, ask curious questions and wonder to assist with processing.

Over the last 6 years of practice, I have seen many beautiful trays and it always seems to be a fan favorite that can also meet many needs of a client.

An example of a sand tray that may have someone processing how they feel they need to keep their love and happiness contained and instead have some explosive behaviors. (This is not an actual client example.)