Questions to Ask When Vetting Psychologists & Assessment Providers
Not all psychologists are created equal—and not all specialize in school-age assessments.
As a school counselor, you need a trusted network of providers to whom you can confidently refer students and families. This guide helps you vet psychologists, understand what qualifications matter, and build relationships with providers who will support your school community effectively.
Why a Strong Referral Network Matters
Parents trust your recommendations. When you refer to a vetted provider, you're vouching for quality.
Good providers communicate with you. Collaboration improves student outcomes.
Poor referrals damage trust. If a family has a bad experience, they may hesitate to seek help again.
You save time. Instead of researching providers for every referral, you have a go-to list.
Essential Questions to Ask Potential Referral Partners
1. Qualifications & Training
Questions to Ask:
"What are your credentials and licensure?" (Look for: Licensed/Chartered Psychologist, Clinical Psychologist, School Psychologist)
"What specific training do you have in psycho-educational assessment?"
"Do you have experience working with [age group your school serves]?"
"Are you trained in assessing learning disabilities, ADHD, autism, and other common childhood conditions?"
✓ Green Flags:
Holds a doctoral degree (PhD, PsyD, EdD) in psychology
Licensed/registered/chartered in their jurisdiction
Specialized training in child/adolescent assessment
Continuing education in current assessment tools (WISC-V, WIAT-III, etc.)
Membership in professional organizations (APA, BPS, NASP, etc.)
⚠️ Red Flags:
Not licensed or registered (anyone can call themselves a "psychologist" in some regions—licensure matters)
No formal training in psycho-educational assessment
Only works with adults and hasn't assessed children in years
Uses outdated assessment tools (WISC-IV instead of WISC-V, for example)
2. Assessment Process & Tools
Questions to Ask:
"What does your assessment process look like? How long does it take?"
"What tests do you typically use?" (Look for: WISC-V, WIAT-III, BASC-3, Conners, ADOS-2, etc.)
"Do you gather input from parents, teachers, and the student?"
"Do you observe the student in their school environment, or only assess in your office?"
"How comprehensive are your reports? Do you provide specific recommendations for schools?"
✓ Green Flags:
Uses current, standardized assessment tools
Gathers multi-informant data (parent, teacher, student ratings)
Assesses across multiple domains (cognitive, academic, social-emotional, behavioral)
Reports include clear, actionable recommendations for schools and families
Willing to clarify findings or answer follow-up questions
⚠️ Red Flags:
Relies on a single test or screening tool for diagnosis
Doesn't gather input from multiple sources
Reports are vague, overly technical, or lack practical recommendations
Assessment feels rushed (comprehensive assessments typically take 4-8 hours)
Unwilling to communicate with schools
3. School Collaboration & Communication
Questions to Ask:
"Do you communicate with school staff (with parental consent)?"
"Are you willing to attend school meetings or provide consultation after assessment?"
"How do you ensure your recommendations are practical and implementable in a classroom setting?"
"Do you provide written reports in a timeframe that works for school planning?" (e.g., before IEP meetings)
✓ Green Flags:
Open to school collaboration (emails, phone calls, meetings)
Understands international school contexts (for international schools)
Provides reports in a reasonable timeframe (2-4 weeks after assessment)
Willing to clarify findings or adjust recommendations based on school feedback
Experienced working with schools (not just clinical practice)
⚠️ Red Flags:
Unwilling to communicate with schools ("I only work with parents")
Recommendations are impractical or unrealistic for classroom settings
Reports take months to complete
No follow-up support after delivering the report
4. Cultural Competence & Context
Questions to Ask:
"Do you have experience working with [specific populations your school serves—TCKs, bilingual students, neurodivergent students, etc.]?"
"How do you account for cultural and linguistic factors in assessment?"
"Do you understand the context of international/expat education?" (if applicable)
"How do you adapt assessments for students whose first language is not English?"
✓ Green Flags:
Experience with diverse, multicultural populations
Uses culturally appropriate norms and considers language background
Understands Third Culture Kid (TCK) identity and challenges (for international schools)
Sensitive to how culture impacts symptom presentation and diagnosis
⚠️ Red Flags:
No experience with the populations you serve
Uses assessments normed on a single cultural group without considering student background
Doesn't ask about language history or cultural context
Diagnoses without considering how culture impacts behavior and learning
5. Cost & Accessibility
Questions to Ask:
"What is the cost of a comprehensive psycho-educational assessment?"
"Do you offer payment plans or sliding scale fees?"
"Do you accept insurance? If so, which providers?"
"What is your current waitlist? How soon can you assess a student?"
"Do you offer online assessments, or only in-person?"
Why This Matters: Families need to know cost upfront. If your referral is unaffordable, they may delay seeking help—or feel misled.
Building & Maintaining Your Referral Network
Step 1: Research Local Providers
Ask colleagues at other schools for recommendations
Search professional directories (APA, BPS, local psychology associations)
Look for providers who list "school-age assessment" or "psycho-educational assessment" as specialties
Step 2: Vet Providers (Use This Guide)
Reach out via email or phone to ask the questions in this guide
Request a sample report (with identifying information redacted) to see their assessment style
Ask if they're willing to meet briefly to discuss their approach
Step 3: Build Relationships
Introduce yourself: "I'm a school counselor at [school name], and I'm building a referral network for families needing psycho-educational assessments."
Share information about your school's population and common referral needs
Ask how they prefer to receive referrals and communicate with schools
Step 4: Maintain & Update Your List
Keep a referral list with provider names, specialties, contact info, costs, and waitlist times
Check in annually to update information (costs change, waitlists fluctuate)
Remove providers who consistently deliver poor reports or don't collaborate with schools
Gather feedback from families: "How was your experience? Would you recommend this provider?"
Sample Referral List Template
Provider Name
Credentials
Specialties
Cost
Waitlist
Contact
Dr. Jane Smith
PsyD, Licensed Psychologist
ADHD, LD, Autism
$800-1200
4-6 weeks
jane@example.com
Dr. John Doe
PhD, Clinical Psychologist
Learning disabilities, giftedness
$1000-1500
2-3 months
john@example.com
Dr. Sarah Lee
EdD, School Psychologist
TCKs, bilingual assessment
$900-1400
6-8 weeks
sarah@example.com
What to Tell Parents When Making a Referral
Sample Script:
"Based on what we're seeing at school, I think it would be helpful for [student name] to have a comprehensive psycho-educational assessment. This will help us understand their learning profile, identify any diagnoses, and develop specific strategies to support them.
I have a few trusted providers I can recommend. Here's their contact information, areas of specialty, and estimated costs. I'm happy to answer questions and coordinate with whichever provider you choose—with your permission, of course."
Final Checklist: Is This Provider Right for Your Network?
Licensed/registered/chartered psychologist with relevant credentials
Specialized training in child/adolescent assessment
Uses current, evidence-based assessment tools
Gathers multi-informant data and provides comprehensive reports
Open to school collaboration and communication
Culturally competent and experienced with your student population
