The Testing Psychologist Podcast

Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. I am so excited to dive into one of the most requested topics we have ever had: making the transition from an insurance-based model to a private pay practice. Many of us feel a lot of trepidation about this shift, wondering why a family would ever choose to pay out of pocket for an evaluation they could technically get elsewhere for a copay. In thi...

Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. In this episode, I break down the financial and operational logic behind transitioning from a solo assessment model to a technician-led model. Many psychologists hesitate to hire a psychometrist because technician CPT codes reimburse at a lower rate, but looking at the unit’s revenue alone misses the bigger picture of your effective hourly ra...

Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. In this episode, I break down the essential components of the “core stack” for psychological and neuropsychological testing billing. Many clinicians leave significant revenue on the table by skipping the diagnostic interview code or miscategorizing professional integration time as simple test administration. I explain the critical diffe...

Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. I’ve found that many assessment clinicians struggle to set fees that actually support their lives and prevent burnout. In this episode, I break down a mathematical approach to setting your hourly rate by starting with your desired take-home pay and working backward. We explore how to account for the hidden administrative drag that often eats into o...

Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. In this episode, I dive deep into the modern evolution of neuropsychological and psychological report writing. We explore why the traditional model of listing scores and rote data is no longer effective for our primary audience: the clients and their families. I discuss the cognitive load placed on readers when we fail to synthesize information and...

Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. Clinical intuition is often little more than a coin flip when it comes to detecting suboptimal effort. We like to think we can spot a client who isn’t giving their best, but the data suggests otherwise. In this episode, I dive into the necessity of using objective performance validity indicators rather than relying on gut feelings. I discuss...

Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. In this episode, I dive into the evolving understanding of Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome (CDS), formerly known as sluggish cognitive tempo. I explain why we are moving away from the older terminology toward a label that more accurately describes the internal mechanisms of the brain. We explore the neurobiological differences between CDS and trad...

Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. In this episode, I dive into the neurobiology of testing fatigue and why it is much more than just a simple lack of energy. We explore how high-demand cognitive tasks lead to a measurable buildup of glutamate in the prefrontal cortex, essentially creating metabolic debris that forces the brain into a self-preservation mode. I discuss the specific h...

Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. In this episode, I sit down with Jennifer Taylor, an expert therapeutic educational consultant, to demystify the niche world of out-of-home placements and residential treatment. We explore the critical emotional journey parents face when realizing their child needs a higher level of care and how psychologists can play a foundational role in that tr...

Would you rather read the transcript? Click here . In this episode, Dr. Jeremy Sharp shares a personal and professional deep dive into the opaque world of InterQual and prior authorization. After experiencing a near-total rejection rate of clinical prior authorization requests within his own practice, Dr. Sharp investigates the history, logic, and evidence—or lack thereof—behind the criteria that...

Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. In this episode, I sit down with Sara Woods to challenge the traditional, deficit-heavy lens of autism diagnostics and explore what it means to practice in a truly neurodiversity-affirming way. We discuss the shift from seeing autism as a collection of clinical “problems” to recognizing it as a natural variation of the human brain that...

Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. I have been a bit quiet lately, but for good reason, and I wanted to take a moment to reorient myself and check in with all of you. After taking two solid weeks off for a meaningful family Christmas in South Carolina (the first in almost 15 years!), I returned to a whirlwind January filled with major project launches. From opening the doors to our...

Would you rather read the transcript? Click here . In this episode, I sit down with Nicole McCance of the McCance Method to talk about what’s actually working right now to grow a therapy group practice when the market feels tighter and “easy referrals” aren’t showing up like they used to. We dig into practical lead generation moves that don’t depend on social media, how to use consult calls and fo...

Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. As this year winds down, I’ve been reflecting on how much of 2025 was about refinement rather than expansion. The Testing Psychologist stayed true to what it’s always been for me: a place for honest conversations about assessment, business, and the realities of this work. The podcast hit some meaningful milestones (500 episodes!), Crafted Practice...

Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. In this episode, I break down what I believe are the most important business trends shaping assessment practices in 2026. Rather than focusing on vague predictions or generic AI hype, I zero in on the operational, regulatory, and payer-driven forces that are already creating friction for assessment-focused psychologists. My central argument is that...

Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. Today, I sit down with Dr. Andrea Zartman, a neuropsychologist and training director at the Dallas VA, to unpack what actually matters in internship and postdoc applications and interviews. We walk through the entire process, from CV structure and cover letters to letters of recommendation and interview performance, with a frank, insider perspectiv...

Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. In this episode, I take a deep dive into how natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning are beginning to reshape neuropsychological assessment. Beyond the surface-level hype around AI, I explore what’s actually happening under the hood: how speech, language, and narrative data can function as digital biomarkers for conditions like ADHD,...

Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. In this episode, I break down the rapid rise of consumers treating AI systems as medical advisors and what this means for us as psychologists and assessment clinicians. I walk through the drivers of this shift, the risks, the impact on client expectations, and the practical steps practices must take now. I also dig into how AI can support our workf...

Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. In this episode, I break down how AI search is rapidly reshaping the way clients discover psychologists and neuropsychologists online. I explain why traditional SEO is no longer enough, what AI models prioritize when generating answers, and the practical steps you can take to make your website more conversational, trustworthy, and “quotable” by too...

Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. In this episode, I talk with Dr. Stephanie Ruth Young from Northwestern University about the NIH Toolbox family of assessments: powerful, research-backed instruments that many clinicians still overlook. We explore how these tablet-based and mobile tools can bridge the gap between research and clinical practice, reduce examiner error, and simplify w...

Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. In this episode, I tackle one of the most time-consuming challenges in assessment psychology: report writing. I explore why many psychologists spend 5–30+ hours per report creating comprehensive documents that research suggests referral sources aren’t fully reading, and offer a data-driven roadmap for reclaiming that time without sacrificing...

Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Albert “Skip” Rizzo, one of the world’s leading innovators in using virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI ) to enhance psychological assessment, rehabilitation, and clinical training. We trace the history of VR in mental health from a 1990s Game Boy inspiration to today’s immersive, data-rich tool...

Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. In this episode, I’m breaking down one of the most tempting moves for private practice owners: diversification. We’ve all felt the pull to add new services like coaching, therapy, or wellness programs, especially when the market slows down. But diversification isn’t always the answer, and it can easily backfire if done reactively or without alignme...

Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. Today, I walk through four compensation models that work for testing and therapy practices –  percentage split (fee-for-service), salary + production bonus, salary + profit share, and flat hourly – plus when each model makes sense. I break down the math behind forecasting (capacity, reimbursement, payroll taxes, PTO, benefits), show where owne...

Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Carrie Singer, founder of www.sellyourpractice.com and the Facebook group Mergers and Acquisitions for Mental Health Professionals , to explore one of the least-discussed but most critical topics for group practice owners: selling your practice. We walk through the full process—from how to know when you’re ready...