Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to Common Questions About Psychological Testing, Evaluations, & Services in Santa Monica & Los Angeles
Below you’ll find clear, user-friendly answers to common questions we get from families and adults seeking psychological evaluations, ADHD testing, autism testing, exam accommodations documentation, and other assessment services in Santa Monica, Greater Los Angeles, and throughout California.
If you don’t see your question here, contact us anytime — we’re happy to help.
🔹 About Our Assessment Services
What types of testing and evaluations do you offer?
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We provide comprehensive psychological testing and assessment services, including:
ADHD evaluations (children, teens, adults)
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) testing
Educational and learning disorder evaluations
Exam accommodations documentation for school, college, standardized tests (SAT, ACT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT), and workplace licensure
Neuropsychological and executive functioning assessments
Our evaluations are evidence-based and tailored to each individual’s needs.
Where are you located and who do you serve?
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We are located at 720 Wilshire Blvd, Ste 204, Santa Monica, CA 90401 and 202 Bicknell Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90405 We serve clients throughout Greater Los Angeles — including West LA, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Brentwood, and surrounding communities — and we offer virtual services for residents throughout California.
Are your evaluations accepted by schools, colleges, and exam boards?
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Yes. Our reports are designed to meet the documentation standards required by:
School districts (IEP & 504 plans)
Colleges and universities
Standardized testing boards (SAT, ACT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT)
Professional licensing boards
Workplaces requiring formal documentation of need
We use industry-standard measures and clear, detailed interpretation to support accommodation requests.
🕐 Questions About the Testing & Evaluation Process
How long do psychological evaluations take from start to finish?
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The timeline varies depending on the type of evaluation, but most comprehensive assessments take 2–6 weeks from the initial consultation to the final report delivery. This includes testing sessions, scoring, interpretation, and a feedback discussion with your clinician.
What happens during an evaluation session?
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An evaluation typically includes:
A clinical interview with you and/or your family
Standardized testing instruments
Review of educational, developmental, or medical history
Observation and performance tasks related to attention, learning, or behavior
The exact process depends on the type of evaluation (e.g., ADHD, autism, learning disorders).
Do I need to bring anything to my evaluation appointment?
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Please bring:
Relevant medical or school records
Previous evaluations or reports
A list of current medications
Any recent academic testing or standardized test scores
This information helps your clinician interpret testing data more accurately.
💳 Insurance, Fees, & Payment
Do you accept insurance for psychological testing?
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We are a fee-for-service practice. Because insurance coverage for psychological testing varies widely, many clients prefer to submit claims for out-of-network reimbursement with their insurance plan. We are happy to provide a superbill that you can submit to your insurance for potential reimbursement according to your plan benefits.
How much does testing cost, and how do I pay?
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Fees vary by evaluation type and the time required. A detailed cost estimate will be provided during your initial consultation. We accept major credit cards, and we can discuss payment options and timing during the intake process. You can see our general estimates of costs here.
📅 Scheduling & Appointments
How do I schedule an evaluation?
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You can schedule through our website or by texting 310-401-5072. We’ll begin with a brief consultation to understand your needs and make sure we’re the right fit before booking your testing sessions.
Do you offer virtual evaluations?
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Yes — virtual evaluations are available for clients across California. Some testing components may be completed in person when required for standardized measures.
🎓 Tests, Accommodations & Documentation
Can I use your evaluation report for exam accommodations?
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Absolutely. Our reports are frequently used to request:
K-12 or college testing accommodations
Standardized test accommodations (SAT, ACT, AP, GRE, LSAT, MCAT)
Workplace and professional licensing exam accommodations
We provide documentation that clearly describes functional limitations and medically necessary recommendations.
Will my child’s school accept the accommodations documentation?
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Most school districts accept comprehensive evaluation reports from licensed psychologists — particularly when they include standardized testing data and functional impact statements. We are familiar with documentation standards for 504 Plans, IEPs, and school disability services.
🧠 Additional Common Questions
What age do you evaluate?
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We evaluate individuals across the lifespan — children (typically ages 6+), adolescents, and adults — depending on the service requested.
How soon will I understand the results?
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After your evaluation, we schedule a feedback session where your clinician explains the findings, answers questions, and outlines recommendations. Many clients find this step just as valuable as the report itself.
Can evaluations identify co-occurring challenges (e.g., anxiety + ADHD)?
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Yes. Our assessments look at multiple areas of functioning, and we are trained to differentiate between overlapping symptoms so that diagnoses and recommendations are as accurate as possible.
Forensic Evaluations
What is a forensic evaluation?
A forensic evaluation is provided by a specially-trained psychologist. This licensed psychologist performs a psychological evaluation and then provides a professional opinion about an individual involved in the legal system. The evaluations include a review of psychological and legal records, a thorough interview with the individual, and assessment tools— all of which are used to inform the psychologist’s opinion.
When is a forensic evaluation needed?
We are most often hired by legal teams in order to provide a professional opinion based on our expertise of trauma and our extensive training in forensic assessment. Forensic psychologists are asked to provide evaluations in Mental Competency, Criminal Responsibility, and Malingering Evaluations, among other things. You can see a full list of our services here.
What’s included in the testing/evaluation?
Each forensic evaluation is customized based on the questions that need to be answered by the legal team. All evaluations typically begin with an extensive interview, review of legal and medical records, and psychological assessment tools. Before the evaluation begins, our psychologists will learn about the needs of the legal team to create a customized evaluation.
How do we incorporate a trauma-informed perspective in our evaluations?
Each of our psychologists has over 14 years in providing in-depth mental health care for trauma survivors. You can explore more about our therapy support services here. We take our extensive understanding of how trauma impacts thoughts, behaviors, relationships, and self-understanding into our forensic evaluations to create a well-rounded and holistic view of the individual.
What can I expect when communicating with my forensic psychologist?
You can expect professional and consistent communication with your forensic psychologist. The evaluator will be in frequent contact with your legal team, thoroughly reviewing the materials provided, and providing an unbiased opinion.
What makes Grey Matter different?
We offer concierge and at-home evaluations within Los Angeles County. In most cases, we can travel to your attorney’s office, your home, or provide a virtual evaluation to save on time, travel, and schedule restrictions.