Adolescent Psychological Testing Decision Support Guide

Testing of personality characteristics, intelligence, aptitude, or achievement is sometimes performed to assist with diagnosis and/or treatment planning for behavioral health disorders. However, the clinical utility and cost-effectiveness of formal psychological testing have been questioned. In most situations, clinical interviews and brief assessment instruments provide sufficient information for diagnosing behavioral health disorders and determining the most appropriate treatment. Occasionally, a particular psychological test may be helpful for addressing a very specific clinical question; these situations must be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.