educational evaluations in santa barbara 

Evaluations use a thoughtful mix of standardized measures, observations, and conversations to understand how a child thinks, learns, and approaches daily demands. Depending on the questions being explored, this may include attention, memory, executive functioning, and academic skills, as well as consideration of learning differences or areas of challenge.

Within my practice, there are three evaluation paths:

Exploratory Educational Evaluation
A focused evaluation designed to explore specific learning or developmental questions.

Comprehensive Educational Evaluation
A full, whole-child evaluation that integrates cognitive, academic, and processing measures to provide a broader understanding of learning and development.

Gifted / Twice-Exceptional Educational Evaluation
A collaborative evaluation completed with Kari Van Bebber, LMFT, incorporating the Gifted Qualitative Assessment (GQA) to explore giftedness, asynchronous development, and learning patterns in more depth.

Each option is designed to offer a clearer picture of how a child learns and communicates, along with practical guidance that families can use at home and in school settings.

School-based evaluations are designed to determine whether a student qualifies for special education services. They focus on educational functioning within the school setting and are guided by eligibility criteria and timelines set by the school system.

A private educational evaluation with a licensed educational psychologist is not limited by eligibility or classification requirements. In my practice, evaluations are framed around understanding how a child thinks, learns, and experiences their environment. This includes looking at learning profiles alongside personality, temperament, and the broader context in which a child is growing.

Families often seek private evaluations when they want a more complete picture of their child’s strengths and challenges, when questions extend beyond eligibility, or when they are looking for thoughtful guidance around learning differences, attention, or giftedness.

Neuropsychological assessments are another option. The next FAQ offers more guidance on choosing the right fit.

Choosing the right evaluation often depends on your goals and the questions you’re hoping to answer. If you’re unsure, I offer a brief consult call to help talk through options and determine what may be the best fit for your family.

School evaluation
A school-based evaluation may be the right choice if your primary goal is to determine eligibility for special education services or an IEP, and the school’s timeline works for you. These evaluations are provided at no cost when both the school and family suspect a disability.

Neuropsychological assessment
A neuropsychological assessment may be recommended when there are neurological conditions, neurodevelopmental disorders, or multiple interacting concerns. Neuropsychologists are trained to examine brain–behavior relationships and may incorporate medical or neurological perspectives that extend beyond the scope of an educational evaluation. These assessments are often helpful in more complex cases or when families are seeking diagnostic clarity related to medical or neurodevelopmental conditions.

Private evaluation with a licensed educational psychologist
A private educational evaluation can be a good fit when families want a broader understanding of learning, cognitive, and processing profiles, or when they are seeking clarity around learning differences, attention, or giftedness. In my practice, evaluations are approached holistically, considering learning and cognitive processes alongside factors such as learning style, personality, and temperament.

Yes. While schools conduct their own assessments to determine eligibility, my reports are written to be both parent- and school-friendly. When appropriate, I collaborate with IEP teams or school staff to help align supports and recommendations.

Families often find that a whole-child educational evaluation provides helpful context for IEP or 504 meetings by offering a clearer picture of a child’s strengths, learning profile, and support needs.

School teams ultimately determine eligibility and typically complete their own assessments as part of that process.

Licensed Educational Psychologists are able to diagnose learning-related and educationally relevant conditions when appropriate. In my practice, diagnoses may be considered within the context of a Comprehensive Educational Evaluation, which allows for a fuller understanding of a child’s learning profile and needs.

When relevant, this can include learning differences such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, or dysgraphia, as well as attention or regulation-related concerns. Any diagnostic determination is made within a whole-child framework and is offered to support understanding and next steps, rather than to define a child by a label.

The focus of this work is always on helping families feel informed, supported, and clearer about how to move forward in ways that best support their child.

Families sometimes come in with specific questions, such as attention, executive functioning, reading, or academic concerns. In some cases, those questions can be explored through an Exploratory Educational Evaluation with a narrower focus.

In many situations, a Comprehensive Educational Evaluation offers a fuller picture of both strengths and areas of support, which can lead to more useful and lasting recommendations.

During the consultation, we’ll talk through your questions together and decide what scope of evaluation will best support your child and your family.

Depending on your child’s needs, evaluations may include cognitive abilities, academic skills, attention and executive functioning, language, memory, and social-emotional functioning.

Alongside standardized measures, I also consider learning style, personality, and temperament to create a more complete picture. This integrated approach helps families understand how different aspects of a child’s profile come together in everyday life, highlighting both strengths and areas where support may be helpful.

From start to finish, the evaluation process typically takes about six to eight weeks, depending on scheduling. Testing sessions are held in person and usually take place in two-hour blocks, with breaks built in to support focus and comfort. Most evaluations involve several sessions spread over time.

After testing is complete, results are carefully reviewed and integrated into a written report. Families can generally expect the report and a feedback session within two to four weeks of the final testing appointment.

Yes. Giftedness or twice-exceptionality may be identified through an educational evaluation. For families seeking a deeper understanding of giftedness and asynchronous development, I also offer a specialized Gifted / Twice-Exceptional Educational Evaluation in collaboration with Kari Van Bebber, LMFT, a gifted specialist and creator of the Gifted Qualitative Assessment (GQA).

This collaborative process integrates qualitative and quantitative perspectives to explore giftedness, learning patterns, and creative potential in a more nuanced way. 

Testing sessions are held in a calm, supportive office environment in Santa Barbara. For families outside the area, in-person testing locations may be arranged on a case-by-case basis.

Sessions are paced with flexibility and breaks to support comfort and focus. When appropriate, limited portions of the evaluation may also be completed via telehealth.

I do not bill insurance directly. Some families may be able to submit for out-of-network reimbursement using CPT code 96101, though coverage varies and many plans do not reimburse for services provided by a licensed educational psychologist. I recommend checking directly with your insurance provider to understand your specific benefits.

A deposit is collected at the time of booking, with the remaining balance due once the report is complete. Payment plans are available, and fees can be split into multiple invoices to help make the process more manageable.

Fees vary depending on the type and scope of the evaluation. As a general reference:

Exploratory Educational Evaluations start at $1,500

Comprehensive Educational Evaluations start at $2,500

Gifted / Twice-Exceptional Evaluations are priced separately

Final pricing is confirmed during a consult once goals, scope, and fit are clarified. This allows the evaluation to be tailored thoughtfully and avoids surprises.

Once testing is complete, we’ll schedule a feedback session to walk through the findings together. You’ll receive a written report that integrates test results with a whole-child understanding of your child, highlighting strengths, learning patterns, and areas where support may be helpful.

When relevant, the report may include diagnostic considerations or clarification of a child’s learning profile. School teams ultimately determine eligibility for services or accommodations and may conduct their own assessments as part of that process.

Along with the report, families receive tailored recommendations for home, school, and next steps, designed to be practical, thoughtful, and usable in everyday life.