What You Can Expect From Dr. Schaerfl
You can expect my dedication, commitment, and support to help you manage, cope, or resolve a matter that is of concern to you or a matter about your child. I encourage a collaborative working relationship with a focus towards reaching specific goals. My process is individualized and flexible. I listen.
Dr. Schaerfl's treatment approach: I am grounded in Cognitive and Cognitive-Behavioral theory, process, and therapy techniques, but will incorporate perspectives and techniques of other psychological approaches within that framework if doing so will maximize meeting therapy goals.
Payment
Cash, check, and credit card (plus 5%) are accepted at time of face-to-face service. Other services are billed as discussed with you.
NOTE: I do not accept insurance reimbursement. Many of my services often involve investment of my time and expertise in helpful and necessary ways that are not insurance compatible (For instance: I will do school observations and go with parents to school meetings.). I do not complete insurance forms or speak with insurance representatives. As a courtesy, if requested, I can supply basic information as to dates of service with an applicable billing code (if a code is possible), my credentials, NPI, and fees. You can submit information on your own to your insurance. Many clients use their Health Savings Account.
FAQs
What is QbCheck?
Qbtech ©, is the global market leader in ADHD tests and developed the QbCheck © test.
The QbCheck test is a computerized test that collects objective performance measurements about the core symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (activity, inattention, and impulsivity). When the test is completed, the results are available at the same appointment on a “visual performance report.” Dr. Schaerfl fully discusses these results with you.
- QbCheck builds on well-documented and tested technology used with over 250,000 patients.
- Test results provide objective and reliable data. The test taker’s performance is compared with the performance of people with and without ADHD who are the same age and gender.
- The QbCheck results help confirm whether or not symptoms meets conditions for an ADHD diagnosis. Understanding your symptoms helps you make informed decisions for yourself, or for a child/adolescent, regarding treatment (e.g., medication; school accommodations; helpful behavioral and psychological skills, etc.). QbCheck can be retaken to monitor response to treatment.
How long is the QbCheck test? The usual adult appointment takes about an hour or more. Some of that time is used to discuss results and complete paperwork (e.g., client information; services; billing; consent forms, etc.). Prior to the appointment, adults taking the QbCheck test complete a background form required by Dr. Schaerfl, and possibly other forms that are sent. At your test appointment you will spend a few minutes with Dr. Schaerfl to discuss your background information and complete the required ADHD questions for the QbCheck test. Dr. Schaerfl may recommend a more in-depth interview and additional sources of information especially if referral for medication for ADHD is being considered.
The actual QbCheck computerized test takes about half an hour starting with entry of preliminary information, a review the test directions with Dr. Schaerfl, and taking a short practice test. When the QbCheck test is completed, Dr. Schaerfl carefully discusses with you the information produced on your “QbCheck visual performance report” to be sure that you understand the results and to answer your questions. As part of the test feedback Dr. Schaerfl discusses any next steps that may be indicated by the QbCheck results (e.g., referral to a prescribing physician; the need to collect additional information; other explanation of the results).
What about a child taking the QbCheck? For children/adolescents taking the test, Dr. Schaerfl requires a symptom interview appointment with parents and the child before a child is scheduled for a QbCheck test. The interview is necessary because there are so many potential reasons for symptoms that may look like ADHD. From many years of experience Dr. Schaerfl knows that ADHD may not be the reason or the only reason for a child’s/adolescent’s symptoms. Parents always gain a better understanding of their child and what they can do to help their child at this interview. Dr. Schaerfl always shares helpful recommendations and resources.
Call Dr. Schaerfl with questions about QbCheck and the process of identifying ADHD.
What is an Assessment?
Each assessment Dr. Schaerfl conducts is individualized and aimed at finding out what needs to be done to help the person. There are many reasons for conducting an assessment. An assessment might be recommended by a physician, attorney, employer, therapist, or someone else who knows the value of an assessment. Sometimes a person needs to confirm a diagnosis and obtain treatment recommendations. Unsatisfactory performance at school, work, or interpersonally may motivate a consultation with Dr. Schaerfl. For any assessment, before any recommendations can be made, the main questions and problems need to be understood.
An assessment, whether it is simple or in-depth, is designed to produce meaningful and helpful information. The assessment results provide evidence of contributing factors affecting a person’s performance or their well-being. For instance, factors that may be identified through assessment include: unidentified, untreated, or misdiagnosed psychological or developmental conditions; under-developed learning or coping skills; the reasons for stress or behaviors; or even a possible medical problem that should be checked by the person’s medical provider. Often, the way a person feels or thinks needs to be better understood as well. An assessment often provides evidence showing that some suspected factors are not responsible for a person’s distress.
An assessment gathers a range of information using a variety of methods to clarify what is going on. The assessment results, which are based on gathered evidence, are used to guide the solution process. An assessment, such as one related to finding out why a child is not learning well, or how to improve work performance, or how to improve relational aspects of a person’s life, generally requires the collection of information using several sources. An interview is always best practice to gather background information about the person, to check and clarify symptoms, and to find out the main questions and concerns that need answers. If there are prior records that contain valuable information, those records should be examined. The selection of more targeted assessment methods to collect objective and subjective evidence depends on the information and questions and turned up in the interview.
After the initial interview and/or record review, Dr. Schaerfl discusses with the adult or with parents the most direct means to gather necessary information and data. The most productive sources of information include: reviewing any past assessment or school information; administering state-of-the-science standardized tests that produce valid and reliable measurements (e.g., IQ/Cognitive Test; Achievement Test, Language or Social Skills Tests, Personality Inventory, etc.); standardized and other types of symptom checklists or questionnaires completed by the person and/or by those who know the person (Spouse, Parent, Teacher, etc.). For a child/adolescent struggling at school, Dr. Schaerfl can sometimes “start the ball rolling,” by gathering enough evidence to prompt a school district to complete other testing and information collection as part of the multi-factored evaluation (MFE) process. The MFE is needed for a student to receive specialized school-based intervention.
All information gathered at interview or through other methods is confidential unless the adult or the parent/guardian of a minor gives permission to release any of that information so it will benefit the person. For instance, it may beneficial to the person to share some assessment information with a school, physician, therapist, etc. with the expectation that doing so will increase the effectiveness of interventions from those service providers.
Need an assessment? Contact Dr. Schaerfl through this website: Dr. Schaerfl will respond to you personally by phone to set up the date and time for your initial interview and to answer some preliminary questions you might have. At the initial interview Dr. Schaerfl will always provide helpful suggestions and direction.
How do I know if the “school plan” my child already has is working or is doing enough?
If you have concerns that your child is not receiving enough help at school or the help provided at school is not working well enough, then you should call to schedule an appointment. Dr. Schaerfl consults with parents regarding a child’s/adolescent’s current or past school evaluations, Section 504 Plan, or Individualized Education Plan. Dr. Schaerfl will return your call and explain what the next step is.