Psychological Testing
Helping You Understand Your Story More Clearly
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.
What Psychological Testing Isn't
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?”
Why Seek Psychological Testing?
You might be asking:
Is this anxiety, or something deeper?
Could I have ADHD?
Am I autistic?
Why do I feel so misunderstood or overwhelmed?
What kind of support would help me thrive?
Psychological testing helps you:
Understand how your brain processes the world
Gain language for your emotional and mental health patterns
Receive documentation for work or school accommodations
Begin or deepen your therapy journey
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.
What We Assess
We provide psychological testing for:
ADHD & Executive Functioning
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.
Autism Spectrum Exploration
We provide affirming assessments for autistic traits in adults, especially for those who may have been overlooked due to gender expression, masking, or trauma.
Mood & Anxiety
We evaluate symptoms of depression, anxiety, panic, and emotional dysregulation to help identify root causes and make effective treatment recommendations.
Trauma & Complex PTSD
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.
Personality & Identity Development
We explore personality traits and relational styles to help you better understand how you navigate the world and connect with others.
Our Approach
We are:
Trauma-informed: We center your comfort, agency, and nervous system throughout the process.
Queer & trans-affirming: We honor all identities and do not pathologize your gender, sexuality, or expression.
Neurodiversity-affirming: We see different ways of thinking as valuable, not broken.
Collaborative: You are the expert on your life. We walk beside you, not ahead of you.
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.
Your Evaluation Timeline & Required Paperwork
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:
We learn what you’re hoping to understand through testing.
You confirm your in-person testing schedule.
You receive clear next steps for accessing your testing materials.
To prepare:
Complete your intake paperwork in the MIYO client portal before the session.
Sign the Financial Agreement, which includes a $300 deposit. This covers any out-of-pocket costs not covered by insurance. If insurance pays in full, your deposit is refunded after your final appointment.
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:
You receive your results in plain, clear language.
We discuss how these findings support your goals.
You get recommendations for therapy, school, work, or daily life.
5. Comprehensive Written Report
You’ll receive a clear, compassionate report that, if requested, can support academic, workplace, or therapeutic needs.
Is This Right for Me?
Psychological testing may be helpful if you:
Want to better understand your brain and emotions
Suspect ADHD, autism, or a learning difference
Have experienced trauma and want to understand its effects
Need documentation for school, work, or disability accommodations
Feel like therapy isn’t moving forward and want more clarity
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.
Cost & Insurance
Testing is deeply individualized, and so are our fees.
We work with insurance.
A $300 deposit is required at intake.
If your insurance covers the full cost, your deposit will be refunded after testing is complete.
Flexible payment plans are available. We’re happy to talk with you about affordability and access.
FAQs
Will I get a diagnosis?
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.
Can I use this report for 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.
Is the process affirming for queer and trans clients?
Yes. All of our clinicians are queer-affirming and trained in gender-affirming care. We do not pathologize gender or sexuality.
Do I have to finish everything in one session?
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.
What if I have trauma or sensory needs?
We provide trauma-informed, sensory-aware care. Let us know your needs and we will adjust the process to support you.
Isn’t testing just about labels?
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.