Assessments
Complex Clinical Evaluations for High-Acuity Teens in the South Bay
A complex clinical evaluation is an in-depth assessment for teens with severe, co-occurring or treatment-resistant psychiatric, behavioral or neurodevelopmental challenges. It combines deep-dive testing with a thorough review of treatment history to clarify the diagnosis, find what is driving treatment resistance and give a precise roadmap for treatment and placement planning.
Is a complex clinical evaluation right for your teen?
When an adolescent presents with severe, co-occurring or treatment-resistant challenges, standard assessments often fail to capture the complete picture. Our complex clinical evaluations are designed for youth with high-acuity psychiatric, behavioral and neurodevelopmental difficulties, including those currently in or transitioning to residential treatment. This evaluation may help if:
- Your teen has several diagnoses, and none of them fully explains what you're seeing
- Treatment has been tried, sometimes more than once, and hasn't worked as hoped
- Your teen is in residential treatment, or the team is planning a move to or from it
- Trauma, Autism or ADHD, and mood concerns seem tangled together
- The treatment team needs a clearer diagnosis to plan therapy or placement
What does the evaluation look at?
These evaluations go beyond basic labeling. They untangle highly complex clinical presentations, such as the intersection of severe trauma, neurodivergence (like Autism or ADHD) and emerging personality or mood pathology. We integrate deep-dive neuropsychological testing with a thorough review of your teen’s treatment history to:
- Clarify the diagnosis: what best explains your teen’s difficulties, and what doesn’t
- Identify the drivers of treatment resistance: why past treatment may not have worked
- Give a precise, actionable roadmap: recommendations for therapeutic intervention and placement planning
MP Wellness uses a dynamic, individualized assessment approach, with current, evidence-based psychological assessment tools selected for each person’s needs and presenting concerns. The report lists every measure used.
What happens, step by step
| Step | When | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Consultation | Free, about 30 minutes, by phone | We talk through what's happening and whether a complex clinical evaluation is the right next step. |
| 2. Clinical consultation | After you schedule | We review clinical history, identify the key diagnostic questions and tailor the evaluation plan to your teen's needs. You send prior evaluations and treatment records. |
| 3. Testing | 4–5 sessions of 2 hours (about 8–10 hours) | One-on-one testing, scheduled over several sessions to prevent fatigue and help your teen perform at their best. |
| 4. Report writing | About 3–4 weeks after the last session | Our clinical team scores the tests, analyzes the results, synthesizes prior treatment records and writes a comprehensive diagnostic report. |
| 5. Feedback | A 2 hours session | We review the diagnostic findings and what they mean clinically, and give you a clear roadmap for treatment, academic accommodations and next steps. |
Testing takes about 8–10 hours of one-on-one time, spread over 4–5 sessions of 2 hours each. About 3–4 weeks after the last session, we meet for a 2 hours feedback session.
What you receive
- A comprehensive diagnostic report that integrates testing with your teen's treatment history
- Diagnostic clarification, including what is likely driving treatment resistance
- Specific recommendations for therapeutic intervention and placement planning
- Recommendations for academic accommodations and next steps
- A feedback session to go through the findings together and answer your questions
If you would like us at a school or IEP meeting, that is billed separately at $250 per hour.
With your written permission, the report can be shared with your teen’s psychiatrist, therapist, treatment program or school.
What does it cost?
This evaluation is $6,000. The fee includes a clinical consultation to plan the evaluation, all testing sessions, scoring, analysis and a written diagnostic report and a feedback and recommendations session. School or IEP meetings are billed separately at $250 per hour.
We're an out-of-network provider, so payment is due at the time of service. We bill your insurance on your behalf and provide the documentation needed to support reimbursement. We can't guarantee coverage, but many families receive partial reimbursement, depending on their plan.
Who you'll see
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
- California license PSY 36605 · Verify with the state (opens the California DCA license search)
- Doctoral training in clinical psychology
- About about eight years of psychological and neuropsychological assessment experience
- Born and raised in Redondo Beach
Common questions
Can you evaluate a teen who is in residential treatment?
Do you review my teen's past treatment records?
How is a complex clinical evaluation different from a psychoeducational evaluation?
Serving families in Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Torrance, Palos Verdes and the South Bay.
Not sure testing is the right step?
A free consultation with Dr. Paul is the easiest way to find out. No commitment.