Frequently Asked Questions

About Our Practice & Services

While many practices focus primarily on therapy and perform a few evaluations on the side, we are specialists in the craft of psychological evaluation. Our licensed psychologists have spent their careers focusing on the assessment of neurodevelopmental disorders.

We view a comprehensive evaluation as a vital investment in your (or your child’s) future. Because our practice is dedicated to the assessment process, we provide a deeper, more comprehensive look at a person’s needs than a general therapy office might. While we do provide therapy and parent training on a case-by-case basis, our primary expertise and the majority of our work is dedicated to the evaluation process. Choosing a specialist ensures you receive a high-quality, evidence-based report that is respected by schools, colleges, and employers.

Our primary focus is providing comprehensive psychological evaluations for neurodevelopmental disorders, such as Autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, and intellectual disabilities. We serve children and teenagers, and we also provide evaluations for adults up to age 30.

On a case-by-case basis, we also offer:

  • Individual Therapy: Available for pediatric clients and their families.
  • Parent Training: Coaching and support for parents to help manage their child’s needs.
  • ADHD Support: We provide evidence-based therapeutic interventions for ADHD delivered by licensed mental health professionals. This clinical care is distinct from “ADHD coaching” offered by non-licensed providers in the community.

Please note: At this time, we do not provide individual therapy for adults. For clients ages 18–30, our services are limited to psychological evaluations and parent training.

We evaluate and treat children, adolescents, and adults up to age 30.

Some clients come in knowing they want a full evaluation. Others prefer to start by discussing their concerns with a licensed psychologist to determine the most appropriate path forward.

  • Clinical Consultation ($185): This is a professional service where a provider reviews your records and any previous testing, discusses your concerns, and provides clinical guidance on next steps. In some cases, the information already available is enough for the psychologist to provide clinical recommendations. In other cases, the provider may determine that more data is needed through a full evaluation to clarify diagnoses and interventions.
  • Comprehensive Evaluation ($1,700 to $2,535): This is our most thorough service. It includes a full clinical interview, record review, direct testing, and a detailed written report. A comprehensive evaluation provides the high-level evidence needed to advocate for yourself or your child in school, work, or medical settings.


Note: The consultation is a separate professional service and fee; it does not apply toward the cost of a full evaluation. However, if a full evaluation is not clinically necessary, a consultation can help you avoid unnecessary testing and expense. If you are unsure which option is best for your situation, please contact our office.

Yes, we provide Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs). An IEE is a second opinion that parents can request if they disagree with the results of an evaluation completed by their school district.

  • Payment: IEEs are paid for by the school district, not the parent.
  • How to Start: Parents should contact their school district’s special education department to discuss next steps and get approval for an IEE before scheduling with us.
  • Our Role: We conduct a comprehensive evaluation based on the specific referral questions provided by the school or parents. This process includes a thorough review of records, interviews, direct testing, and the use of standardized assessment tools. Our psychological opinion is provided through an oral feedback session and a detailed written report, both of which address the referral questions and the child’s needs.
  • Review Process: After the evaluation process is complete, the written report is reviewed by the school-based team, which includes parents. Our psychologists do not usually attend these meetings; a school psychologist with the district is present to assist the team in understanding and using our report.
  • Placement Decisions: The final decision about school placement or services is made by the school district’s IEP team, not by the Palmetto Psych psychologist conducting the IEE.

If you have questions about the IEE process, please contact your school district for guidance.

Neurodevelopmental disorders are conditions that affect how the brain grows and works. These challenges usually start in early childhood, sometimes before a child starts school, and can last into adulthood. They can make it harder for a person to control their emotions, pay attention, remember things, learn, communicate, or get along with others.

Some neurodevelopmental disorders only affect certain skills, like focusing or reading, while others can affect many areas, such as learning, talking, and socializing.

Examples include:

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
  • Learning disorders (like dyslexia or dysgraphia)
  • Communication disorders
  • Intellectual disability

Getting an evaluation and diagnosis can help people access the support and resources they need to succeed.

Scheduling & Consent

Call (864) 735-0604 or email info@palmettopsych.com. You do not need a doctor’s referral to schedule.

When you call to schedule an appointment for your minor child, we will ask a few questions about your family situation. This helps us figure out who needs to sign the permission forms. We do this to follow the law and protect your child, not to be a burden to you.

  • If parents live together: Only one parent or guardian needs to sign.
  • If parents live apart: Both parents must give written permission. The only exceptions are if a court order gives one parent sole medical authority or if a parent truly cannot be reached.
  • Before the first visit: We require contact information for all legal guardians and copies of any custody papers.
  • Single parents, foster parents, or DSS: You must provide legal paperwork showing you have the right to make healthcare choices for the child.
  • If parents disagree: If both parents do not agree on the care, we will pause services until the issue is settled.

Our Role in Legal Matters
To provide the best care for your child, our office stays neutral. We do not take sides or get involved in custody disputes or legal battles. We ask that you do not involve our providers in court cases. This allows us to keep our focus entirely on your child’s evaluation and well-being.

Costs & Insurance

Comprehensive psychological evaluations typically range from $1,7002,535. We understand this is a significant financial commitment; however, it is an investment in clarity and long-term success.

This fee reflects the professional time—often up to 20 hours—that our licensed psychologists dedicate to each case. Most evaluations involve 4 to 8 hours of direct, face-to-face time (including interviews and testing), plus an additional 5 to 6 hours spent scoring, interpreting results, and writing the comprehensive report. The exact fee depends on the client’s age, specific concerns, and the scope of testing required.

Payment Schedule for Evaluations

  • Scheduling Fee: A $50 fee is collected when you book your appointment. This fee is non-refundable, but it will be applied toward your total cost.
  • First Payment: Approximately 50% of the total evaluation fee is due two weeks before your first visit.
  • Final Payment: The remaining balance is due on the day of your first appointment.

We provide invoices when you schedule that shows your exact due dates and amounts.

Palmetto Psych is an “out-of-network” provider. This means we do not work directly with insurance companies. You pay us for your services, and then you can ask your insurance company to pay you back.

After your evaluation is finished and you have your report, we will give you a document called a “superbill.” You can send this to your insurance company to request reimbursement. Please note that we do not send claims or talk to insurance companies for you.

You can pay with cash, check, credit card, or through our secure online Client Portal. If you have a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA), you can usually use those funds to pay us.

Because we are not in-network, we set our own fees. If your insurance company decides to pay you back less than what we charge, we cannot change our fees or give a refund. This is standard for most private practices.

We recommend calling the number on the back of your insurance card to ask about your “out-of-network benefits.” You should ask if they cover these specific codes:

  • Evaluation codes: 90791, 96136, 96137, 96130, 96131, 96132, 96133
  • Therapy and consultation codes: 90832, 90834, 90837, 90846, 90847, 99354, 99355, 99401–99404, 98966–98968, 99406–99407

If your insurance requires “prior authorization,” please tell us at least two weeks before your visit so we can help with the paperwork.

Please remember the insurance reimbursement is not guaranteed, even if you submit a superbill or get prior authorization.

A Good Faith Estimate is provided for all services so you know what to expect regarding costs before your appointment. If you have questions about your rights or the cost of care, you can visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.

Preparing for Your Visit

You will be asked to complete several forms prior to this appointment to help us understand why you are seeking our services.

At the first appointment, we will ask additional questions. Be prepared to discuss developmental and medical history. 

Please bring copies of previous evaluations and other relevant records to the intake session. We will make a copy for our records. Alternatively, you may upload these to the Client Portal.

We recommend getting a good night’s sleep and eating a healthy breakfast on the morning of the evaluation. 

If your child is being tested, we recommend sharing with them that they will be working with a doctor who helps figure out how kids learn and think. They will be doing a variety of tasks that might include working with blocks and puzzles, answering questions, and completing reading, writing, and math activities.

Breaks will be provided as needed (e.g., snack, rest breaks). If the evaluation lasts more than three hours, we will take a lunch break, too. We strive to make our clients as comfortable and relaxed as possible.

Testing sessions with the client are usually accomplished over 1 to 2 appointments. Testing can last between 2 and 6 hours (i.e., depending upon the presenting concerns). Evaluations requiring more than 3 hours of testing will include a lunch break and may be scheduled over multiple days. A second day of testing might be required if fatigue appears to compromise performance.  You are encouraged to pack snacks and a drink on the day of testing. 

Results & Outcomes

A feedback session will be scheduled 1 to 2 weeks after testing. During this appointment, we will review the evaluation results and discuss recommendations for next steps.

A written report will be provided 4–6 weeks after the feedback session. You will get an email from the Client Portal when your electronic report is ready to download.

You will receive your written report through the Client Portal. You can share this report with schools, colleges, employers, or agencies. If you want us to send your report directly to someone else, you must sign a Release of Information (ROI) form to protect your privacy.

A diagnosis is when a psychologist or doctor uses the DSM-5-TR to identify a condition, like ADHD, Autism, or a learning disability. This helps explain your (or your child’s) challenges and can guide treatment or support.

Eligibility means being approved for extra help or accommodations at school, college, work, or through government programs. Each place has its own rules for deciding who qualifies. They use information from our evaluation report, but also look at their own records and requirements.

Key Points:

  • A diagnosis does not automatically mean you will get special education, a 504 plan, college accommodations, workplace support, or government services.
  • Schools, colleges, employers, and agencies make their own decisions about eligibility based on their rules and the impact of the diagnosis.
  • Our reports are designed to provide the information needed for these decisions, but the final choice is always made by the school, employer, or agency.

No. A diagnosis is important, but schools, workplaces, and agencies make their own decisions about who qualifies for services or accommodations. Our report can help, but the final decision is not made by the psychologist.

The Office of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (OIDD)—formerly known as the Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN)—decides who qualifies for state disability services. If you are seeking these services, OIDD may use our evaluation for a “Record Review.” Our reports are designed to meet OIDD’s requirements and the specific requirements for Medicaid autism services. However, OIDD and Medicaid make the final decision about eligibility.

Exceptional SC is a program that provides funding for students attending private schools. To qualify, the school must be approved by the program, and the student must have a diagnosis that meets specific requirements. If you plan to apply, we are happy to complete the required paperwork for you. You can find more details on the Exceptional SC website.