Assessment of Infidelity
The ways in which people break the deal in a committed relationship can be quite varied, including a physical affair, an emotional affair, viewing pornography when there was an agreement not to, etc., however they all have in common an ensuing crisis that can be difficult to manage. Trust has been broken and the process of each person deciding how to proceed begins. Sometimes people quickly know that they want to stay together, or not stay together, and sometimes they need more time and information before knowing what's right for them. In any case, both the person who broke the deal and the person who found out will likely struggle to understand the meaning of the events. Detailed information about the conditions under which someone broke the deal can help people 1) decide on the next course of action, 2) take thorough responsibility and 3) have a plan for repair and rebuilding trust if they so choose.
A psychological assessment of infidelity is a time limited process using discussion and specialized assessment measures (psychological testing) to gain detailed information. The beginning of the assessment process includes identifying what information is sought by the clients. Though the assessment focusses on the person who made the mistake, usually both partners will have questions they want the assessment to address. Some common assessment questions include:
What does this mean about my character?
Does this reveal anything about my partner psychologically which I wasn't aware of previously?
Can I be assured that this will not happen again?
Am I a sex addict?
Does he/she have a problem with compulsivity?
Do I have a problem with my capacity for empathy, attachment, or intimacy?
Is my partner narcissistic?
Were there any relational factors in this mistake?
Given the nature of these events, how do I rebuild trust with my partner?
Why didn't my love for my partner inhibit my desire and behavior?
The answers to these and other questions can help people make accurate meaning out of the events, empowering them to move forward from an informed perspective in whichever direction they choose.
A typical assessment starts with an initial consultation meeting with both parties, though it's possible to do an effective assessment without partner participation. In this meeting we discuss the client's goals, the assessment process, and begin to develop the questions which will guide the assessment. A series of individual therapy sessions (typically no more than 5) follow which allow me to understand the client in a broader context, and seek to gain information pertinent to the assessment questions. Also during this time the client completes a handful of psychological measures designed to give us information pertinent to the questions asked. At the end of the process, both partners (typically) are invited back to discuss the findings and a report is written to document what was found.
The typical cost for these assessments, when following the schedule described above, is $2850. A person's insurance plan may cover a portion of the cost, though the information needed to be certain won't be known until the first session. Typically if a person's insurance covers psychotherapy it will also cover assessment services. Clients pay for the service at the time it's provided; I provide a medical receipt which allows my clients to file a claim with their insurance carrier if they choose to do so.
Psychological Assessment as an Evidenced Based Alternative to Psychotherapy
There is a growing body of evidence which suggests that a psychological assessment, when done in ways consistent with the model of a therapeutic assessment, can have therapeutic outcomes similar to the outcomes we might expect from psychotherapy (see references below.) A therapeutic assessment focusses on the goals of the client, involves the client in making meaning of the results of the testing, involves the client in exploration and discussion of the implications of the results, and highlights the opportunities for the client to increase their own empowerment with respect to the problem being addressed.
As is the case with all medical or psychological interventions, therapeutic assessments are not helpful for everyone. They will be the most helpful for people who are not in severe psychological crisis, or who require ongoing intensive psychotherapy to address their needs.
References
Ackerman, S. J., Hilsenroth, M. J., Baity, M. R., & Blagys, M. D. (2000). Interaction of therapeutic process and alliance during psychological assessment. Journal of Personality Assessment, 75, 82–109.
Finn, S. E. (2007). In our client’s shoes: Theory and techniques of therapeutic assessment. Mahwah, NJ: Earlbaum.
Worthington, E. L., Jr., McCullough, M. E., Shortz, J. L., Mindes, E. J., Sandage, S. J., & Chartrand, J. M. (1995). Can couples assessment and feedback improve relationships? Assessment as a brief relationship enrichment procedure. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 42, 466–475.
Poston, J. M. & Hanson, W. E. (2010). Meta-analysis of psychological assessment as a therapeutic intervention. Psychological Assessment, 22 (2), 203-212.
Riddle, B. C., Byers, C. C., & Grimesey, J. L. (2002). Literature review of research and practice in collaborative assessment. Humanistic Psychologist, 30, 33–48.
Wood, J. M., Garb, H. N., Lilienfeld, S. O., & Nezworski, M. T. (2002). Clinical assessment of personality. Annual Review of Psychology, 53, 519–543.
A psychological assessment of infidelity is a time limited process using discussion and specialized assessment measures (psychological testing) to gain detailed information. The beginning of the assessment process includes identifying what information is sought by the clients. Though the assessment focusses on the person who made the mistake, usually both partners will have questions they want the assessment to address. Some common assessment questions include:
What does this mean about my character?
Does this reveal anything about my partner psychologically which I wasn't aware of previously?
Can I be assured that this will not happen again?
Am I a sex addict?
Does he/she have a problem with compulsivity?
Do I have a problem with my capacity for empathy, attachment, or intimacy?
Is my partner narcissistic?
Were there any relational factors in this mistake?
Given the nature of these events, how do I rebuild trust with my partner?
Why didn't my love for my partner inhibit my desire and behavior?
The answers to these and other questions can help people make accurate meaning out of the events, empowering them to move forward from an informed perspective in whichever direction they choose.
A typical assessment starts with an initial consultation meeting with both parties, though it's possible to do an effective assessment without partner participation. In this meeting we discuss the client's goals, the assessment process, and begin to develop the questions which will guide the assessment. A series of individual therapy sessions (typically no more than 5) follow which allow me to understand the client in a broader context, and seek to gain information pertinent to the assessment questions. Also during this time the client completes a handful of psychological measures designed to give us information pertinent to the questions asked. At the end of the process, both partners (typically) are invited back to discuss the findings and a report is written to document what was found.
The typical cost for these assessments, when following the schedule described above, is $2850. A person's insurance plan may cover a portion of the cost, though the information needed to be certain won't be known until the first session. Typically if a person's insurance covers psychotherapy it will also cover assessment services. Clients pay for the service at the time it's provided; I provide a medical receipt which allows my clients to file a claim with their insurance carrier if they choose to do so.
Psychological Assessment as an Evidenced Based Alternative to Psychotherapy
There is a growing body of evidence which suggests that a psychological assessment, when done in ways consistent with the model of a therapeutic assessment, can have therapeutic outcomes similar to the outcomes we might expect from psychotherapy (see references below.) A therapeutic assessment focusses on the goals of the client, involves the client in making meaning of the results of the testing, involves the client in exploration and discussion of the implications of the results, and highlights the opportunities for the client to increase their own empowerment with respect to the problem being addressed.
As is the case with all medical or psychological interventions, therapeutic assessments are not helpful for everyone. They will be the most helpful for people who are not in severe psychological crisis, or who require ongoing intensive psychotherapy to address their needs.
References
Ackerman, S. J., Hilsenroth, M. J., Baity, M. R., & Blagys, M. D. (2000). Interaction of therapeutic process and alliance during psychological assessment. Journal of Personality Assessment, 75, 82–109.
Finn, S. E. (2007). In our client’s shoes: Theory and techniques of therapeutic assessment. Mahwah, NJ: Earlbaum.
Worthington, E. L., Jr., McCullough, M. E., Shortz, J. L., Mindes, E. J., Sandage, S. J., & Chartrand, J. M. (1995). Can couples assessment and feedback improve relationships? Assessment as a brief relationship enrichment procedure. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 42, 466–475.
Poston, J. M. & Hanson, W. E. (2010). Meta-analysis of psychological assessment as a therapeutic intervention. Psychological Assessment, 22 (2), 203-212.
Riddle, B. C., Byers, C. C., & Grimesey, J. L. (2002). Literature review of research and practice in collaborative assessment. Humanistic Psychologist, 30, 33–48.
Wood, J. M., Garb, H. N., Lilienfeld, S. O., & Nezworski, M. T. (2002). Clinical assessment of personality. Annual Review of Psychology, 53, 519–543.
