FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

 

What age range does Vital Minds serve?  ​

Vital Minds offers assessment services for individuals ranging from 2 to 100 years old.

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Is Vital Minds currently accepting new clients?  ​

Yes, we are currently accepting new clients.

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Does Vital Minds provide therapy?  ​

No, Vital Minds specializes exclusively in assessment services.

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What types of assessments are offered?  ​

Vital Minds provides comprehensive assessments that test for Autism Spectrum Disorder, AD/HD, neurodevelopmental disorders, learning and intellectual disabilities, and emotional, psychiatric, and personality disturbances. Please note that we do not offer forensic, custody, or fitness-for-duty evaluations.

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What types of assessments does Vital Minds not provide?  ​

Vital Minds does not provide forensic, parental fitness, custody, or fitness for duty assessments/evaluations.

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What if i require additional assistance prior to testing?

The admin team can assist, we do not offer pre-testing consultations.

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How is testing different from therapy?

An evaluation is a structured service designed to answer specific questions using validated, reliable, and norm-referenced psychological tests. Unlike therapy, the relationship with the testing psychologist is more formal, focusing solely on assessment rather than therapeutic interventions or ongoing sessions. An evaluation will continue long after in person testing has completed to author a detailed report that can be used in a variety of settings, including academic, social, professional, and therapeutic contexts.

 

What is the difference between a school psychologist and a clinical psychologist?

Under Washington state law, a school psychologist is required to hold a certificate as defined by the Professional Educator Standards Board (RCW 28A.140.044). School psychologists focus on addressing the mental health, learning, and behavioral needs of students. In contrast, a clinical psychologist is required to have a doctoral degree and specializes in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions.

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How much does an evaluation cost?  ​

Please email admin@vitalmindswa.com for more information.

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Questionnaires that go out to teachers/contributor?  ​

Questionnaires that go out to teachers/contributors are applicable to Insights on Learning Dynamics testing only. Questionnaires are limited to two contributors and it is the responsibility of the client/guardian to follow up and ensure the completion of the questionaries.  Please note, questionnaires must be completed prior to your testing date.

 

Does Vital Minds accept insurance?  ​

Yes. We bill under Dr. Michael Kippes, the supervising neuropsychologist and we are in-network with Aetna, Premera and Regence and most of their affiliates including most BCBS plans, Meritain, Lifewise, and Anthem. Some plans may carve out their Behavioral Health benefit to another payer. We encourage you to check with your insurance provider regarding benefits for mental health services and to determine whether we are in-network under your plan’s Behavioral Health benefit. Vital Minds can provide the necessary billing codes to help you verify your coverage and network status. Please email the Admin Team to request this at Admin@VitalMindsWA.com.

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Where is Vital Minds located?​

We are on the second floor in the same suite as the Center for Child Development.

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Where can I find the billing codes needed for insurance submission?  ​

Please email our Admin Team at Admin@VitalMindsWA.com to request a detailed description of our services.

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What is a superbill?  ​

A superbill is a document that outlines the services provided by a provider. It includes billing codes and diagnoses. If we are Out of Network under your insurance plan, after you’ve paid for services, you may request a superbill so that you can submit claims to your insurance company for potential reimbursement.​

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What can I expect during the evaluation process?  ​

Once you decide to proceed with an evaluation and have completed all intake forms and questions, Vital Minds’ Admin Team will work with you to schedule your assessment. The evaluation process typically takes approximately 3 hours and reports can take up to 16+ weeks to prepare and finalize. The Admin Team will reach out to you to schedule a virtual feedback session after your report is ready.  

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Should I bring anything to my testing appointment(s)?  ​

We do not have vending machines on the premises, so please be sure to bring a snack and water. During testing, you may be touching an iPad or other testing tools, so please choose snacks that are easy to consume, will not leave messy or sticky fingers or a lingering odor. Testing can be tiring, and it's important to stay nourished. If you wear eyeglasses, please be sure to bring those as well. Breaks will be provided as needed.

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What happens after the evaluation?  ​

After the evaluation, Vital Minds will score, interpret, and prepare a detailed report of the findings.  Please note this detailed report is specifically tailored to each client and typically exceeds 20+ pages of in-depth explanations of your testing results. A feedback session will be scheduled to review the final report with you. Feedback sessions generally take up to 53 minutes.

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Who should be present at the testing appointment?  ​

The testing appointment is solely between the testing client and Dr. Vedmed. For young children, it’s very common for parents to stay in the room at the beginning to help with comfort and transition. Once the child feels at ease, Dr. Vedmed will gauge whether they are comfortable continuing independently. We do whatever helps them feel secure and allows for the most accurate results.   If the client is a minor, a parent or responsible adult must remain on-site in the waiting room for the entire appointment. Children may not be dropped off. This is essential for safety and accountability.

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For additional questions, please email: Admin@vitalmindswa.com