It is becoming increasingly common for parents who seek to adopt to undergo psychological evaluation.  Generally, these evaluations are not extensive in nature and are conducted in order to provide an overview of the psychosocial functioning of potential adoptive parents.  Unlike comprehensive psychological evaluations, in which measures of various abilities are administered (e.g., IQ testing, Perceptual-Motor assessment, Achievement testing, etc.), pre-adoptive psychological evaluations generally center around interviews with the parents together and independently.  Sometimes, an objective (i.e., paper and pencil) personality measure may be utilized in order to supplement self-report (i.e., interview) data.

In the psychologist's report, which is generally two to four pages in length, the reason for the evaluation is stated.  In this case, your desire to adopt a child (or children).  The reasons and expectations centering around adopting are typically discussed, as well as your feelings toward the biological parent(s) and/or the child's present living situation.  There is a section that articulates relevant background information.  Here, your history is addressed.  Of particular concern will be pre-adoptive stressors such as fertility issues, miscarriages and other losses, relationship conflicts, etc.  Beyond your respective individual adjustments, is a discussion concerning your marital adjustment.  Examples of conflicts, and the mechanism of resolution, by you and your significant other may be offered. If psychological measures are utilized (e.g., a personality test), a thorough explanation of the data is presented, as well as the impact of said findings on your potential to be suitable adoptive parents.  Finally, this evaluator's conclusion regarding you and your significant other's abilities in parenting an adoptive child will be offered.

For a complimentary telephone consultation regarding evaluation of prospective adoptive parents, contact Dr. Mark Lerner (www.DrMarkLerner.com) directly at (631) 673-3513.

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