community based ASSESSMENTS in Denver, colorado

Community Based Assessment Services

Birch Psychology is proud to provide assessment services that increase accessibility to neighboring communities.

Birch Psychology offers flexible assessment options designed to increase access to comprehensive psychological and educational evaluations for individuals and families who live in remote communities, have difficulty traveling to our offices, or otherwise benefit from a combination of in-person and remote services.

Tele-Assessment Services

Depending on the nature of the evaluation, our clinicians may use a hybrid assessment model, thoughtfully combining telehealth, remote assessment tools, and in-person evaluation. The specific approach is determined by the referral questions, measures being administered, clinical needs of the individual, and applicable professional and psychometric standards.

Components of an evaluation may include:

• Telehealth appointments: Initial interviews, developmental and clinical history, collateral interviews, and feedback sessions may be conducted by secure video or telephone when appropriate. Interviews with teachers and other stakeholders may also be completed remotely.

• Remote assessment measures: Certain psychological and behavioral measures can be appropriately administered or completed remotely. When these measures are used, the assessor will provide guidance to support confidentiality, standardized administration, and appropriate testing conditions.

• Rating forms and questionnaires: Parent, teacher, self-report, and other rating measures may be completed electronically or provided for completion outside of scheduled appointments.

• In-person assessment: Many standardized measures require or are best administered in person. When necessary, Birch clinicians will coordinate an individualized plan that may include visits to a school, home, community setting, or Birch Psychology office.

The goal is not simply to conduct an evaluation remotely, but to use technology and flexible service delivery to increase access without compromising the quality or integrity of the assessment. The appropriate combination of remote and in-person services will be discussed during the initial consultation and tailored to each evaluation.

When an evaluation involves an individual located outside of Colorado, Birch clinicians will also review applicable jurisdictional, licensure, and authorization requirements. In some circumstances, temporary or additional authorization may be required before services can begin.

Mountain/Rural Services

Birch Psychology is committed to expanding access to high-quality assessment services in communities where specialized providers may be limited. Our clinicians may be available to travel to communities throughout Colorado, including Park and Summit Counties, as well as other areas based on need and availability.

Birch clinicians have also provided assessment services in neighboring states experiencing limited access to specialized psychological evaluation, including Wyoming and Montana. When services require practice outside of Colorado, our clinicians work to obtain the appropriate authorization or temporary licensure required by the applicable jurisdiction. Because these requirements vary by state and may take several weeks to complete, advance planning may be necessary.

Families, schools, healthcare providers, and community organizations interested in bringing assessment services to their community are encouraged to contact Birch to discuss available options.

School Based Services

Birch Psychology partners with public and private schools to provide comprehensive psychological and educational assessment services directly within the school setting. This collaborative model is designed to increase access to high-quality assessment while creating greater continuity between the evaluation process, its findings, and the recommendations ultimately implemented on behalf of the student.

Evaluations are conducted in close collaboration with families and relevant school professionals, including teachers, counselors, learning specialists, interventionists, and other members of the student’s educational team. When appropriate, the assessment process incorporates information from the environments in which the student is actually learning and functioning, allowing clinicians to develop a more complete understanding of the student’s strengths, challenges, and educational needs.

Birch clinicians travel to the school to complete assessment activities across multiple visits as needed. Elements of the evaluation—including clarification of the referral questions, direct assessment, classroom or school-based observation, consultation with relevant stakeholders, feedback, and development of recommendations—can be coordinated with both the family and school team.

A central goal of school-based assessment is to bridge the gap between evaluation and implementation. Rather than viewing the assessment as ending with a diagnosis or written report, Birch works to develop practical, individualized recommendations that can be understood and meaningfully applied within the student’s educational environment. This collaborative approach helps families and schools move from understanding what a student needs to determining howthose needs can best be supported.