- Verify your needs
- Verify your Agency’s needs
- Provide a good faith estimate of fees
- Schedule 3 hour in-person session
Pre-Adoption Psychological Evaluations
Serving the North Shore and Chicagoland
When to Consider Pre-Adoption Psychological Evaluations
Are you in the process of adopting a child? Chances are that your adoption agency requires a pre-adoption psychological evaluation. Bedrock Psychology Group is dedicated to assisting prospective parents in-and-around Chicago throughout this journey
Adopting a child is a life-altering process, accompanied by its own unique challenges and responsibilities. Our pre-adoption assessments are conducted by Dr. Paul Losoff, a psychologist with more than a decade of experience in this area. He is particularly attuned to the nuanced requirements of adoption agencies, especially those at the international level.
At Bedrock Psychology Group, we understand that you might feel anxious and eager to make a good impression. That’s why we are committed to offering a welcoming environment free from judgment during this transformative time in your life. Contact us to see if our pre-adoption psychological evaluations can help you complete your family.
Why Bedrock Psychology Group for Pre-Adoption Psychological Evaluations?
Dr. Paul Losoff brings over 15 years of experience in psychological evaluations, honed across diverse settings including Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Department, Hartgrove Hospital, and multiple private practices. He has shared his knowledge by teaching Graduate level assessment courses at Adler University. He also served as Director of Training and Diagnostics at a local practice where he supervised many pre-licensed and licensed clinicians with a heavy emphasis on ADHD.
Our Process
What to Expect Before:
Prior to scheduling your appointment, we will first verify the specific needs of your domestic and/or international agency as this will determine the specific tests and questions they need answered. Typically, we then schedule a three-hour, in-person* session where both prospective parents will need to be present. There may be times when adoption agencies require separate appointments for each prospective parent. *International adoption agencies typically do not allow virtual or telehealth meetings. We’ll discuss your reasons for seeking an evaluation and what specific concerns you have. We’ll explain our process, answer your questions, and determine if working together is a good fit. If so, we’ll schedule your appointment(s).
What to Expect During Your Pre-Adoption Psychological Evaluation:
Both you and your partner will be interviewed together for approximately one hour. We understand your desire to make a good impression and encourage you to be yourselves. In the second hour, one partner will complete a personality questionnaire (commonly requested by international agencies), while the other continues with the interview. Then, you and your partner will switch. The session concludes with a summary and discussion of the next steps.We’ll spend more time getting to know you and then begin to do a variety of cognitive tests. Don’t worry – nothing is deceptive or invasive here! This usually takes 2-4 hours
What Happens After Your Sessions:
We will prepare a report and share it with you for your approval. Once approved, we can forward it to your adoption agency. Bedrock Psychology Group also offers the service of providing notarized copies of the report. If necessary, we can expedite the delivery of notarized paper copies.
FAQs
How much does a pre-adoption psychological evaluation cost?
Our fees vary depending on the process dictated by your agency. To receive a good faith estimate, please contact us. When you do, it would be helpful if you could provide any relevant documents and instructions you may have.
What personality tests do you use?
We use either the MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory) or the PAI (Personality Assessment Inventory). Both of these tests are widely acknowledged and accepted by the majority of adoption agencies.
Can I “fail” these tests?
In a way, yes. These tests are designed to assess the consistency of your responses and to identify any tendencies to misrepresent yourself.
I’m afraid that parts of my history may jeopardize my eligibility. Should I still go through the process?
It’s completely understandable to have concerns about how certain aspects of your past might impact your eligibility for adoption. It’s important to be open and honest during the pre-adoption psychological evaluation. Revealing difficult parts of your past can actually be beneficial. It provides an opportunity to discuss any ongoing support you might need and shows your commitment to being the best parent possible. Ultimately, the goal of the evaluation is to ensure the best interests of the child. Demonstrating that you have learned from your past and are committed to providing a safe, loving, and stable home is key.
Do you do background checks during this process?
No. These are typically carried out by your agency prior to your home study.
What is the turnaround time for the report?
Typically, we complete the report no later than 3 weeks from our meeting. If schedules do not permit, we will communicate this to you beforehand.
