Unfurl. Untangle. Thrive.
At Velvet & Vine, psychological testing is an invitation to better understand yourself. Whether you’re exploring attention, learning, mood, identity, or trauma, our evaluations are designed to offer clarity, not judgment. We center your lived experience and create a supportive space that affirms who you are.
We specialize in assessments for queer, trans, and neurodivergent adults and those healing from complex trauma. Our approach is trauma-informed, collaborative, and culturally sensitive. We offer answers when you need language for what you’ve been feeling but couldn’t yet name.
There’s a myth that psychological testing is just about labels. That it puts people into boxes or pathologizes their identity. At Velvet & Vine, we believe the opposite is true: assessment is about language, access, and liberation.
Diagnoses can open doors to care, not shut them. A name for your experience can be a powerful step toward self-compassion, accommodations, and healing. Our evaluations aren’t about defining who you are — they’re about giving you tools to better advocate for yourself and be supported in the systems you navigate.
When you’ve been blamed, misunderstood, or dismissed, testing can shift the narrative from “What’s wrong with me?” to “What support do I need to thrive?”
You might be asking:
Psychological testing helps you:
We view testing as a collaborative exploration. We don’t reduce you to numbers or labels. We help you understand your story with gentleness, evidence-based care, and clarity.
We provide psychological testing for:
We evaluate symptoms of depression, anxiety, panic, and emotional dysregulation to help identify root causes and make effective treatment recommendations.
For individuals who struggle with focus, impulsivity, organization, time blindness, or emotional regulation. Our assessments explore how these patterns show up in your daily life.
We screen for the impact of trauma on memory, attention, and mood. Many of our clients are healing from chronic or complex trauma and benefit from better understanding how trauma affects their functioning.
We provide affirming assessments for autistic traits in adults, especially for those who may have been overlooked due to gender expression, masking, or trauma.
We explore personality traits and relational styles to help you better understand how you navigate the world and connect with others.
We are:
Psychological testing can reduce shame and blame. It can reframe the narrative from personal failure to “you’ve been doing your best without the right support.” For many clients, it’s the first time they’ve been seen — fully, and without judgment.
Testing doesn’t mean you’re broken. It means you’re brave enough to ask questions about what you need to feel whole.
Psychological testing at Velvet & Vine typically takes 6–8 weeks to complete after your intake appointment and includes 3–4 appointments:
1. Intake Appointment (Virtual, 60 minutes)
You’ll meet with us to discuss your concerns, needs, and history. During this session:
To prepare:
You’ll receive a confirmation email and be introduced to Dr. Leesa Contorino, who will lead your testing process.
2. In-Person Testing Appointments (1–2 sessions)
These sessions are held Thursdays at our Andersonville office: 5015 N Paulina St, Ste 204, Chicago IL.
Depending on your needs, you’ll attend one or two in-person sessions to complete standardized assessments. We provide breaks and pacing to support your focus and regulation.
3. Computer-Based Assessments
After your in-person sessions, you’ll receive a set of online assessments via secure link. These are sent by the Wednesday after your final in-person session. These can be completed at home, at your own pace.
4. Feedback Appointment (Virtual or In-Person)
When your assessments are complete, we create a comprehensive report. This takes about 4 weeks to prepare. Once ready, Dr. Contorino will contact you to schedule your feedback session.
During this session:
5. Comprehensive Written Report
You’ll receive a clear, compassionate report that, if requested, can support academic, workplace, or therapeutic needs.
Psychological testing may be helpful if you:
For many, testing is the beginning of taking up space on your own terms. It’s a way to name what’s been true about you even if others missed it. It’s a path toward care, not constraint.
Testing is deeply individualized, and so are our fees.
Yes. If it is clinically appropriate, we will provide a diagnosis. Many clients find having a diagnosis helpful for understanding themselves, qualifying for services, or accessing accommodations.
Yes — if you request this during your intake or evaluation session. We design reports that meet documentation standards for schools, workplaces, and disability accommodations when this is part of your stated goal.
Yes. All of our clinicians are queer-affirming and trained in gender-affirming care. We do not pathologize gender or sexuality.
No. We space testing out based on your needs. Some clients complete everything in one in-person session, while others take two or more. We also provide breaks and pacing support.
We provide trauma-informed, sensory-aware care. Let us know your needs and we will adjust the process to support you.
No. We believe testing is about understanding, not labeling. Labels may open doors, but the real value is in self-knowledge, self-compassion, and access to care.
Psychologists employ a variety of research methods, clinical techniques.
A soft, sacred space to meet yourself in all your layers. We hold room for your healing, not in a rush to “fix,” but in the rhythm of becoming.
