Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. I had a fascinating conversation with Dr. Ryan Van Patten, board-certified neuropsychologist, podcaster, and researcher, about the increasingly recognized but still misunderstood condition known as Functional Cognitive Disorder (FCD). We unpacked its place within the broader Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) umbrella, explored the core concept of “internal inconsistency” as a positive diagnostic sign, and discussed how clinicians can compass...
Aug 31, 2025•49 min
Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. In this episode, I sit down again with Dr. Donna Henderson — one of my most popular guests ever — to take a deep dive into pathological demand avoidance (PDA), a concept that’s becoming increasingly relevant but remains controversial in the US. Donna shares the personal case story that sparked her interest in PDA, defines what makes it distinct from typical demand avoidance, ODD, DMDD, and anxiety, and walks us through the core features and pract...
Aug 30, 2025•49 min
Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. In this conversation, I catch up with Dr. Linda McGhee, psychologist, assessment expert, and now the host of The Multicultural Psychologist podcast. We talk about why she felt compelled to create a space for honest conversations about culture, identity, and assessment — and how the changing demographics in the U.S. make it more important than ever for clinicians to work competently and ethically with multicultural populations. Linda opens up abou...
Aug 29, 2025•49 min
Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. In this episode, I sit down with Jennifer Christensen, founder of Beacon Media + Marketing, to unpack how mental health practice owners can use AI tools to level up their marketing without losing their human touch. We talk about Jennifer’s journey as an early AI adopter, her “dark night of the soul” reckoning with the ethics of AI, and how small practices can harness everything from ChatGPT to generative engine optimization (GEO) without getting ...
Aug 28, 2025•49 min
Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. In this conversation, I reconnect with my longtime colleague and friend, Dr. Lisa Lively, to explore how she turned her personal burnout into a creative side hustle as a psychologist and self-published coloring book creator. Lisa shares her story of embracing creativity for her own well-being, navigating the nuts and bolts of self-publishing on Amazon, and balancing the tension between staying financially viable and keeping her artistic spark ali...
Aug 27, 2025•49 min
Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. Hey everyone, today’s conversation is packed with practical tips and hard-earned wisdom for any psychologist who’s ever dreamed of living and practicing abroad. I’m talking with Dr. Hilary Anand, a licensed psychologist who’s navigated the licensure processes in both New Zealand and Canada while raising two young kids and maintaining her US-based practice. We dig into everything from paperwork hassles and unexpected visa expenses to the personal ...
Aug 26, 2025•49 min
Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. In this short solo episode, I reflect on the accidental two-month hiatus from the podcast and the business lessons that came out of it. What started as two missed recording days—one due to website issues and another because of travel—turned into a helpful reminder about systems, perfectionism, transparency, and the power of restarting. I share what I learned, how it applies to running a clinical practice, and what’s coming up on the podcast over ...
Aug 25, 2025•49 min
Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. I’m back with my friend and repeat guest Uriah Guilford of Productive Therapist to dive deep into the world of AI and its growing role in private practice. We covered a lot in this episode—from voice AI agents and CRM integrations to ethical concerns and training staff to use AI responsibly. Uriah shared what he’s excited about in tech, how he’s integrating AI across his businesses, and even some futuristic scenarios that could change the way we ...
Jun 05, 2025•49 min
Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. In this episode, I break down one of the most common and anxiety-inducing questions I hear: “How much does it actually cost to start a private testing practice?” I walk through the key categories of startup costs—legal setup, clinical readiness, and marketing/admin—and share detailed estimates based on real-world examples. I also highlight hidden or overlooked expenses that can sneak up on you. And if you don’t have $10K–$20K saved up? No problem...
Jun 02, 2025•51 min
Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. In this episode of The Testing Psychologist, I had the pleasure of hosting a powerhouse group from PAR: Jenny Greene, Nikel Rogers-Wood, Cecil Randy Reynolds, and Randy Kamphaus. We dove deep into the development and features of PAR’s new Digital Record Form —a tool designed to streamline performance-based assessment administration, starting with the RIAS-2. We discussed how this innovation differs from previous digital options like Q-interactive...
May 26, 2025•49 min
Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. Dr. Liz Angoff returns to dive deeply into the art and structure of feedback sessions with parents. Dr. Liz emphasizes the insight that “feedback begins at intake,” sharing practical strategies for preparing families throughout the evaluation process to avoid surprises during feedback meetings. We discuss common pitfalls, such as withholding diagnostic impressions until the final session, and highlight the value of continuous communication to ens...
May 19, 2025•49 min
Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. In this powerful episode, I sit down with Dr. Robyn Miller to explore why every mental health practitioner needs a professional will. After experiencing the loss of her closest colleague and being thrust into managing her practice, Dr. Miller shares stories of clients who discovered their therapist’s death only after weeks of unanswered calls, and others who never learned what happened to years of their records. Through personal experience—includ...
May 15, 2025•49 min
Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. In this episode, I dive into the often-confusing world of Pearson’s Q products—specifically Q-interactive and Q-global . What started as a simple comparison turned into a deeper exploration of the origins of the “Q” branding and the roles these platforms play in private practice. I walk through the key differences in functionality, pricing, and integration (or lack thereof), and share how we use both systems in my own practice. Whether you’re jus...
May 08, 2025•20 min
Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. In this episode, I dig into the widely discussed New York Times Magazine article, “Have We Been Thinking About ADHD All Wrong?” —and more specifically, I zoom in on one particularly compelling component: the fluctuating nature of ADHD symptoms over time . This idea—that ADHD is not a fixed trait but something that ebbs and flows with age and environment —is grounded in research from the MTA study and recent work by Dr. Margaret Sibley . I explore...
May 05, 2025•33 min
Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. In this episode, I sat down with my friend and returning guest, Dr. Tara Vossenkemper, for an honest and wide-ranging conversation about her family’s leap into full-time RV life and how it’s impacted her leadership, practice culture, and mental clarity. We dug deep into the experience of running a group practice remotely, the evolving dynamics of delegating projects vs. tasks, and the personal transformation that can come from letting go—physical...
May 01, 2025•1 hr 9 min
Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. After wrapping up yet another year of reviewing doctoral internship applications, I’m struck by the high quality of the applicants. There are some incredible grad students out there who are going to be fantastic psychologists! In today’s episode, I’m sharing some personal thoughts on what makes an application stand out in a sea of often good applicants. Cool Things Mentioned The Testing Psychologist mastermind groups and business consulting Featu...
Apr 24, 2025•22 min
Lately, I’ve noticed a concerning drop in incoming calls to my practice, and in this episode, I’m going to talk about how vital metrics and data analysis are for uncovering and fixing problems like this. I’ll share the systematic way I’ve been investigating this, focusing on the key performance indicators that matter most. You’ll hear about the steps I’m taking to optimize our intake process. For me, it all comes down to the fact that tracking these numbers gives us crucial insights into the hea...
Apr 21, 2025•27 min
Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. In today’s episode, Dr. Stephanie Nelson returns to explore the evolution of evaluation reports, emphasizing the need for a shift from traditional diagnostic approaches to a more contextual understanding of clients. We discuss the limitations of relying heavily on diagnoses and numbers and try to broaden the field for consideration of assessment results and recommendations. The conversation also highlights the need for a holistic view of individu...
Apr 17, 2025•1 hr 15 min
Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. Today, I welcome Dr. Rachel Loftin, Chief Clinical Officer at Prosper Health, to discuss the evolving landscape of online autism evaluation and therapy. We dive into Dr. Loftin’s career journey, the neurodivergence movement, the challenges of remote autism assessments, and the importance of maintaining clinical rigor while using digital tools. This conversation covers both the ethical and practical aspects of online autism services and provides a...
Apr 14, 2025•49 min
Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. We all know that an Electronic Health Record (EHR) system is essential for running a practice, but here’s the thing— it’s not enough. If you want a truly profitable, efficient, and stress-free practice, you need a complete tech stack that goes beyond your EHR. Today, we’re breaking down the best tools to help you automate workflows, enhance patient engagement, and optimize financial management—all while staying HIPAA-compliant and ethical. We’re ...
Apr 10, 2025•49 min
Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. In this episode, we’re diving into one of the most crucial topics for private practice owners: Automation. If you’ve ever felt like you’re drowning in admin work, constantly behind on notes, or struggling to keep up with scheduling and billing—this episode is for you. Burnout is real. Studies show that clinicians spending more than an hour per day on administrative tasks outside of session time are significantly more likely to experience burnout....
Apr 03, 2025•49 min
Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. In this episode, I talk with Dr. Ulrich Mayr, a cognitive neuroscientist, about the fundamental limitations of current cognitive and neuropsychological testing. We explore the reliability of test scores, the dangers of overinterpreting profiles, and strategies for improving assessment interpretation. Dr. Mayr shares insights from cognitive science, discusses the challenges of measuring change over time, and proposes ideas for advancing assessment...
Mar 31, 2025•49 min
Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. Making it to 500 episodes is no joke, and I couldn’t have done it without the support of my amazing partner, Carrie. A therapist and podcaster herself, she has encouraged and challenged me countless times along the way. In our conversation today, we reflect back on the last 8 years of the Testing Psychologist and how it has shaped our family and our businesses. These are just a few topics that we get into: The highlights and peak moments of the p...
Mar 27, 2025•49 min
Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. Today we’re diving into one of the most exciting and rapidly evolving areas of psychological assessment— Virtual Reality (VR) and Holistic Assessment . Traditional assessments are incredibly valuable, but they often have limitations—how well do standardized tests translate to real-world functioning? Are we truly capturing the full picture of a client’s needs? What if we could combine cutting-edge VR simulations with comprehensive, holistic evalua...
Mar 17, 2025•49 min
Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. Today’s episode is inspired by something that many of us in the podcasting or even business world experience at some point: negative reviews. We covered negative client reviews a few weeks ago, but today I’m talking about a negative podcast review. A few months ago, I received a review from a listener who was disappointed that I had ‘sold out’ because I started running sponsorship ads on the podcast. Now, I get it—change can be hard, and if you’v...
Mar 13, 2025•49 min
Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. Today, we’re diving into an incredibly important topic in autism assessment—the role of standardized diagnostic instruments. If you’ve ever wondered how tools like the ADOS-2 or ADI-R fit into the bigger picture of autism evaluations and whether they’re truly considered the “gold standard,” this episode is for you. We’ll be discussing their intended use, limitations, and best practices based on a 2023 article from the Journal of Child Psychology ...
Mar 10, 2025•49 min
Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. Many of you have either heard of Profit First or implemented it to varying degrees. My guest today, Julie Herres from Green Oak Accounting, literally wrote the book on using Profit First in mental health practices. But this isn’t another “basics of Profit First” episode…Julie and I have a broad conversation covering the principles of Profit First, more advanced cash flow options for folks who have a good handle on practice finances, and a touch o...
Mar 03, 2025•49 min
Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. Today we’re diving into one of the biggest decisions private practice owners face: when to hire help . If you’ve ever found yourself drowning in scheduling, billing, or intake calls, or if your waitlist is stretching out for weeks and you’re feeling completely maxed out, you’re not alone. In this episode, we’ll talk about both the qualitative and quantitative signs that it’s time to hire: how it feels emotionally when you’re taking on too much, a...
Feb 27, 2025•49 min
Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. I’m here with Dr. Ben Morsa for a fascinating discussion that combines two seemingly opposed ideas: psychoanalysis and assessment. This conversation explores the intersection of the two, focusing on the evolution of psychoanalytic thought, the significance of assessment tools like the Rorschach, and the complexities of testing that may go unnoticed in a typical evaluation. We also talk about the importance of context in assessments, the ethical c...
Feb 24, 2025•49 min
Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. Today, we’re diving into a trend that many private practice owners are noticing: client inquiries are staying steady, but conversion rates are dropping, especially for private-pay practices. If you’ve been feeling this shift in your practice, you’re not alone. What’s driving this downturn? And more importantly, what can you do about it? In this episode, I’ll break down the possible reasons behind this trend, from economic factors to pricing model...
Feb 20, 2025•49 min
