Psychotic Disorders Testing in San Diego

Comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations for psychotic disorders in San Diego

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When Testing for Psychotic Disorders Can Provide Clarity

When reality feels uncertain—when you or a loved one is seeing or hearing things others don’t, experiencing thoughts that are overwhelming or hard to control, or struggling to know what’s real—it can be frightening and isolating.

You might be considering a psychotic disorder assessment if:

  • You’re seeing or hearing things that others say aren’t there, and you’re not sure what to believe
  • Your thoughts feel intrusive, overwhelming, or like they don’t belong to you
  • It’s become difficult to tell what’s real and what isn’t, and that uncertainty is affecting your daily life
  • People close to you have noticed you’re behaving differently, withdrawing, or expressing beliefs that concern them
  • You’ve had experiences where you felt disconnected from reality, and you’re trying to understand why
  • You’ve been treated for depression or anxiety, but something still doesn’t feel right
  • A provider has suggested testing to help clarify whether psychotic symptoms are present
  • Someone in your family has been diagnosed with schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder, and you’re noticing similar patterns

Neuropsych testing, without the fuss.

We are passionate about making comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation simple and accessible for everyone.

Client Testimonials & Success Stories

What Psychotic Disorder Assessment Includes

1. Clinical Interviews

You’ll have in-depth conversations about what you’ve been experiencing—when symptoms first started, what they feel like, how often they happen, and how they affect your daily life. You’ll also talk about family history, past mental health treatment, and what’s brought you to testing now.

These aren’t interrogations. They’re collaborative conversations designed to help the evaluator understand your unique experience.

You’ll complete evidence-based assessments that measure reasoning, memory, attention, and executive functioning. Certain cognitive patterns can be associated with psychotic disorders, so this testing provides valuable information about how your brain is processing information.

Some of these are paper-and-pencil tasks; others involve computer-based activities or verbal responses. These tests provide objective data that goes beyond what can be gathered in conversation alone.

Specialized tools assess perceptual experiences (like hearing voices or seeing things others don’t), thought patterns, beliefs, and emotional functioning. These measures help capture the nature and severity of symptoms, how often they occur, and how much they interfere with work, relationships, or daily functioning.

When helpful and with your consent, we may gather information from family members, partners, or other providers. Sometimes people close to you notice patterns or changes that are hard to see from the inside. This additional perspective can provide valuable context.

This is where testing gets especially valuable. Psychotic symptoms can occur in several different conditions—schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder with psychotic features, major depression with psychotic features, PTSD, or substance-related disorders. A comprehensive evaluation helps distinguish between them so you don’t treat the wrong thing.

The evaluation pulls together information from all these sources to determine whether what you’re experiencing is a psychotic disorder, and if so, which type, or if another condition better explains your symptoms.

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The Evaluation Process at KMN Psych

Here’s how the neuropsychological evaluation process at KMN Psych actually works, from start to finish:

1. Initial Consultation

The first step is an appointment to gather your medical and clinical history, discuss your symptoms, and understand what concerns brought you to testing. This is a collaborative conversation where you can share what you've been experiencing and what you're hoping to learn from the evaluation.

2. Test Administration

The testing appointment involves completing a battery of standardized assessments—some paper-and-pencil, some computer-based, and some interactive activities. These cover cognitive functioning, perceptual experiences, thought patterns, and emotional functioning. The session typically takes 4-6 hours, with breaks throughout.

The atmosphere is designed to be calm and comfortable—you're not being judged, and there's no "right" way to answer. The evaluator will explain what's happening as you go.

3. Scoring and Interpretation

After your testing session, the clinical team scores and interprets all results, comparing your responses to normative data. This analysis determines whether your symptoms align with a psychotic disorder, and if so, which type—or if another condition better explains what you've been experiencing.

4. Feedback Session

You'll meet with Dr. Doshay to discuss the results and recommendations. This is your chance to ask questions, understand what the findings mean for your life, and talk through next steps. Everything is explained in plain language—no jargon, no surprises.

5. Comprehensive Report

Approximately two weeks after your feedback session, you'll receive a detailed 15-20 page report. The report includes diagnostic impressions, an explanation of your specific symptom patterns, treatment recommendations, and documentation you can share with psychiatrists, therapists, or other providers.

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Understanding Your Results

Diagnostic clarity

Whether your symptoms align with a psychotic disorder (and which type), or if another condition better explains what’s going on.

What symptoms you’re experiencing, when they tend to occur, and how they’ve been affecting your life.

Specific suggestions for medication, therapy approaches, and support strategies based on your results.

Information your psychiatrist or therapist can use to guide treatment decisions.

If needed, documentation that can help you get workplace or academic accommodations.

Verify Insurance

As part of the screening process, we help clients verify their insurance provider can provide financial assistance. We accept PPO as well as non-insured clients. Let us walk you through the process so you can get tested as soon as possible.

Why Choose KMN Psych for Psychotic Disorder Assessment

We specialize in diagnostic clarity.

KMN Psych focuses exclusively on assessment rather than ongoing treatment. That means our expertise is in figuring out what’s actually going on—especially when symptoms are confusing or when you’ve gotten different answers from different providers.

Psychotic symptoms can occur in several different conditions. Our evaluators have extensive experience distinguishing between schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder with psychotic features, trauma-related symptoms, and substance-related effects. That distinction matters when you need an accurate answer, not just a guess.

The time between testing and getting results is kept as short as possible. We know that waiting for answers when you’re already struggling makes everything harder.

Reports are written in language you can actually understand. Recommendations are specific and actionable. During the feedback session, everything gets explained in plain terms—no jargon, no talking over your head.

This isn’t just a tagline—it’s how we operate. No unnecessary complexity, no intimidating clinical atmosphere, no making you feel like you’re being studied instead of helped.

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Neuropsychological Testing for All Ages

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Children

Kid-friendly psychological testing for children ages 7+ facing cognitive, learning, or behavioral challenges.

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Teens & Adolescents

Mental health assessment options for teens and adolescents (ages 13-17) seeking clarity around a new or existing diagnosis.

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Adults

Adult neuropsych testing for individuals ages 18+ who have questions about their mental health.

is neuropsych testing for psychotic disorders right for me

Determining if Neuropsych Testing Is Right for You

Common Needs for a Psychotic Disorder Evaluation

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Confirm a Diagnosis

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Dual Diagnosis

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Treatment Planning

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Medication Management

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Differential Diagnosis

Neuropsychological Testing & Diagnosis Center

At KMN Psych, we aim to simplify the psychological testing process and minimize the turnaround time so you or your loved one can immediately get insights to many of the questions that have gone unanswered. Mental health testing is the first step in proper treatment planning, improved quality of life, happiness, and overall well-being.

Regardless of the specific need for testing — whether someone is seeking a diagnosis, proper medication, or academic accommodations, — we’re ready to provide comprehensive, immediate, and accurate testing and diagnostic services with with a clinical team that has extensive expertise in conducting and analyzing test results. We’re passionate about getting our clients the help they need.

Neuropsych testing is key to better understanding why you or your loved one may be having difficulties at work, in social settings, relationships, or simply feeling challenged by daily activities. Testing at KMN can open new doors to a better daily life.

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LGBTQ+ Affirming Pyschotic Disorder Assessment

At KMN Psych, we recognize that identity and lived experience shape how symptoms present and how people experience mental health challenges. We provide affirming evaluations for LGBTQ+ individuals and people from diverse backgrounds, interpreting results through a lens that considers minority stress, discrimination, and resilience factors—not just test scores. Everyone deserves assessment that sees the whole person.

Verify Insurance

As part of the screening process, we help clients verify their insurance provider can provide financial assistance. We accept PPO as well as non-insured clients. Let us walk you through the process so you can get tested as soon as possible.

FAQs

How can I get tested for psychosis?

To get tested for psychosis, or psychotic disorders, you'll need to schedule a comprehensive psychological or neuropsychological evaluation with a qualified provider.

At KMN Psych, this process begins with an intake call to discuss your concerns and determine if testing is appropriate. If it is, we'll schedule a series of appointments for clinical interviews and standardized testing. The evaluation typically includes just one in-person session and results in a detailed written report. You don't need a referral to schedule testing, though some insurance plans may require one for coverage purposes.

How much does a psychiatric test cost?

The cost of a psychiatric or psychological evaluation varies depending on the type and scope of testing. Comprehensive psychotic disorder assessments typically involve multiple hours of clinical interview, testing, scoring, interpretation, and report writing. At KMN Psych, we work with PPO insurance plans and can help verify your benefits during the intake process. For clients paying out of pocket, we provide transparent pricing information upfront. The investment reflects the depth and expertise required for a thorough diagnostic evaluation, rather than a brief screening.

Can I go to the ER for a psych evaluation?

Emergency rooms can provide crisis psychiatric evaluations, but they are designed for immediate safety concerns—such as thoughts of self-harm, harm to others, or acute psychotic episodes requiring stabilization. ER evaluations are typically brief and focused on determining whether someone needs inpatient hospitalization or can be safely discharged with follow-up care. They do not replace comprehensive neuropsychological or psychological testing, which requires multiple sessions and specialized assessment tools.

If you or a loved one is in crisis, the ER is an appropriate place to seek immediate help. For diagnostic clarity and thorough evaluation, outpatient testing is recommended.

Who to call if someone is having a psychotic episode?

If someone is having a psychotic episode and is in immediate danger to themselves or others, call 911 or take them to the nearest emergency room. For non-emergency situations where someone is experiencing symptoms but is not in immediate danger, you can contact a mental health crisis line, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI, or a local mobile crisis team. If the person has an existing psychiatrist or therapist, reaching out to them for guidance is also appropriate. Once the immediate situation is stabilized, comprehensive testing can help clarify the diagnosis and inform long-term treatment planning.

Schedule an Appointment

To learn more information about KMN Psych, verify your insurance coverage, or schedule an appointment for you or your loved one, complete the form below, and we will get back to you in 24 hours. We respect your privacy and hold all information discussed in strict confidence.

Or call us: (858) 923-4228