Therapeutic Assessment — How Psychological Evaluation Can Be Healing
Psychological Testing Isn’t Just Diagnostic — It Can Be Transformative Many people think psychological evaluations exist only to diagnose, label, or determine what’s “wrong.” But done well, a psychological evaluation can be something entirely different—a therapeutic, validating, deeply meaningful process that helps clients feel understood, empowered, and able to move forward with clarity. This approach […]
What to Do After Being Diagnosed With ADHD or Autism
Finding Clarity, Relief, and a Path Forward Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD or autism—whether in childhood or adulthood—can bring up a mix of emotions. Many people feel relief and validation. Others feel overwhelmed, unsure where to start, or worried about what the diagnosis means for their future. For many, the answers finally make sense: the […]
What Happens in a Psychosexual Evaluation?
A Clear and Accurate Guide to Psychosexual Evaluations A psychosexual evaluation is one of the most misunderstood types of psychological assessments. Many people hear the term and feel anxious, embarrassed, or unsure about what the process involves. Others worry about being judged or assume the evaluation will be invasive or inappropriate. In reality, a psychosexual […]
Trauma vs. ADHD — Understanding the Overlap
Why Trauma and ADHD Look So Similar (and Why It Matters) Many people who come to our clinic wonder whether they have ADHD, trauma-related attention difficulties, or both. The confusion makes sense: trauma and ADHD share many outward symptoms, and the overlap is significant. Someone with trauma may appear scattered, unfocused, forgetful, or impulsive, and […]
Women and Autism — The Hidden Signs of a Missed Diagnosis
Why So Many Women Are Diagnosed With Autism Later in Life For decades, autism was understood through a narrow lens—one based primarily on how it presents in boys. This meant that generations of autistic women grew up feeling different, overwhelmed, or “out of step,” without having a name for their experiences. Today, we understand that […]
AuDHD — Understanding the Overlap of Autism and ADHD
AuDHD: When Autism and ADHD Coexist Many people come to our clinic feeling like they don’t neatly fit into a single diagnostic category. They resonate with traits of ADHD and autism but aren’t sure how the two interact or what it means for their daily life. Increasingly, the term AuDHD has emerged to describe individuals […]
Why ADHD Online Tests Miss Important Diagnoses
Why Online ADHD Tests Aren’t Enough (And What They Miss) The rise of quick online ADHD tests has made many people wonder if they can get a fast, simple answer about whether they have ADHD. These tests are everywhere—social media, mental health apps, online clinics—and they promise clarity in minutes. But here’s the truth: Online […]
ADHD vs. Anxiety: How to Tell the Difference
ADHD vs. Anxiety: Why These Two Conditions Are So Often Confused Many people who come to our clinic are unsure whether they’re struggling with ADHD, anxiety, or both. The symptoms can look incredibly similar, and it’s common for people to feel frustrated or confused when trying to make sense of their experiences. In fact, ADHD […]
Supporting Emotional Health in Children with Developmental Disabilities
Emotional Well-Being and Developmental Differences Children and teens with developmental disabilities—including autism, Down syndrome, fragile X syndrome, and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)—often experience emotional and behavioral challenges alongside their learning and communication differences. At the Utah Center for Psychological Services in Salt Lake City, we see firsthand how children with developmental conditions may struggle […]
Autism vs. Intellectual Disability: Understanding Key Differences in Developmental Testing
Understanding the Overlap Parents often wonder whether their child’s developmental differences are related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intellectual disability (ID), or both. The confusion is understandable — these conditions can appear similar in early childhood. Both autism and intellectual disability can involve communication delays, social challenges, and learning differences. However, they represent distinct conditions […]