Podcast
The Testing Psychologist Podcast
Hosted by Dr. Jeremy Sharp: Licensed Psychologist & Private Practice Consultant · EN
Helping psychologists, neuropsychologists, and mental health professionals start, grow, and scale psychological testing services in private practice.
78episodes
Episodes
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575. Moving Beyond the Discrepancy Model w/ Dr. Paul Beljan
3d ago01:02:23Tap to summarizeWould you rather read the transcript? Click here. I am so excited to share this conversation with Dr. Paul Beljan, a pediatric neuropsychologist who is doing incredible work pushing our field forward. This episode is a deep dive into why we need to move past the outdated discrepancy models of the 1990s and start looking at the actual neurology of how kids learn. Paul and I talk about the “learn and lose” phenomenon, why math disorders are so frequently missed in schools, and the critical role of the cerebellum in procedural learning. We also get into the weeds on how to write reports that parents actually want to read and how to give feedback to a child in a way that is empowering rather than pathologizing. This is a must-listen for anyone who feels like the standard way of identifying learning disorders just isn’t capturing the full picture of the kids sitting across from them. 00:32: The importance of accuracy in pediatric diagnosis and the weight of professional responsibility. 03:39: A critique of the discrepancy model and the “wait to fail” problem in schools. 07:34: Why math learning disorders are rarely diagnosed and the role of procedural consolidation. 11:32: Distinguishing between phonological and orthographic dyslexia through error analysis. 15:04: The “hook and ladder” fire truck analogy for the dual-tiered model of executive functioning and the cerebellum. 30:48: The failure to consolidate fundamentals versus conceptual understanding in dyscalculia. 45:13: Reforming neuropsychological report writing using the Stephanie Nelson model. 59:08: How to conduct an “awareness meeting” feedback session with children. Cool Things Mentioned Craft: the premier membership community for testing psychologists Crafted Practice: the only in-person business retreat for testing psychologists Reverb: the premier AI-powered report-writing platform for testing psychologists Paul’s practice website: www.beljanpsych.com The FAM and the FAR (Feifer Assessment of Math/Reading): www.parinc.com Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes: www.lindamoodbell.com Orton-Gillingham Academy: www.ortonacademy.org The Executive Brain by Elkhonon Goldberg: www.amazon.com/Executive-Brain-Frontal-Lobes-Civilized/dp/0195156012 Neuro Summary Sheet The Wisdom Paradox by Elkhonon Goldberg: www.amazon.com/Wisdom-Paradox-Your-Mind-Stronger/dp/1592401872 Dr. Stephanie Nelson (The Peer Consult): www.thepeerconsult.com Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnoses of Gifted Children and Adults: www.giftedbooks.com Overcoming Dyslexia by Sally Shaywitz: www.dyslexia.yale.edu Featured Resources TherapyNotes is the leading EHR system for mental health practitioners. I’ve used TherapyNotes for over 10 years, and it just keeps getting better. Use this link and the promo code “testing” to get two free months and try it for yourself! www.therapynotes.com/testing NovoPsych brings 150+ standardized measures into one platform. If you’re interested in high quality measures for personality, disability, ADHD or Autism, try NovoPsych with a 15-day free trial via this link: https://novopsych.com/testingpsychologist The Testing Psychologist podcast is approved for CEU’s!I’ve partnered with At Health to offer CE credits for podcast episodes! Visit this link to access current and past episodes available for CE credit. You can use code “TTP10” for a discount on ALL the course credits you purchase from At Health! About Dr. Paul Beljan Dr. Paul Beljan is a pediatric neuropsychologist practicing in Scottsdale, AZ. He is a past president of the American Board of Pediatric Neuropsychology (ABPdN). He holds child diplomate with ABPdN and adult diplomate with the American Board of Professional Neuropsychology (ABN). In 2016, Dr. Beljan completed a post-doctoral master’s degree in psychopharmacology from New Mexico State University. Dr. Beljan co-authored Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnosis of Gifted Children and Adults: ADHD, BiPolar, OCD, Depression, and Other Disorders. He also co-authored Large Scale Brain Systems and Neuropsychological Assessment: An Effort to Move Forward. Dr. Beljan is a nationally retained forensic expert and lectures nationally and internationally. Get in Touch & Resources: Email: p.beljan@beljanpsych.com Website: https://www.paulbeljan.com/ About Dr. Jeremy Sharp I’m a licensed psychologist and Clinical Director at the Colorado Center for Assessment & Counseling, a private practice that I founded in 2009 and have grown to over 20 clinicians. I earned my undergraduate degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina before getting my Master’s and PhD in Counseling Psychology from Colorado State University. These days, I specialize in psychological and neuropsychological evaluation with kids and adolescents. As the host of the Testing Psychologist Podcast, I provide private practice consulting for psychologists and other mental health professionals who want to start or grow psychological testing services in their practices. I live in Fort Collins, Colorado with my wife (also a therapist) and two young kids. Ready to grow your testing services? Click below to join our Waitlist! Join the Waitlist
Transcribe →574. EHR Review: Healthie
6d ago00:49:29Tap to summarizeWould you rather read the transcript? Click here. Watch the video here. It was a pleasure to dive back into the world of electronic health records. Today, I’m exploring Healthie, a platform that has gained significant traction recently. This review is a blind walkthrough from the perspective of a testing practice that bills insurance, focusing on whether the platform’s robust feature set actually translates to a smooth clinical workflow. I cover the initial setup and interface, the depth of third-party integrations, and the specific hurdles a testing psychologist might face when trying to move from a six-hour assessment to a clean insurance claim. Pros Extensive Customization: The platform offers significant flexibility for intake forms and demographic tracking, including detailed options for gender identity and pronouns. Robust Integrations: It connects with a wide range of third-party tools such as ClaimMD, AI scribing software, and marketing platforms. Automated Intake Flows: Clinicians can build structured paperwork packets, allowing clients to move through forms in a seamless sequence. Flexible Scheduling: The system supports specific naming for appointment types, which is useful for distinguishing between different types of assessment sessions. Built-in Communications: Features like e-faxing and a secure client chat are integrated directly into the interface. Data Visualization: A dedicated dashboard provides high-level reports on practice metrics, including appointments and provider utilization. Cons Workflow Disconnect: There is a notable lack of integration between clinical charting and the billing process, requiring manual entry of CPT codes on claims. Manual Billing Hurdles: Creating CMS 1500 forms or superbills is a manual process that does not consistently auto-populate fees or codes. Steep Learning Curve: The interface is complex enough that new users often require guided onboarding or extensive use of the help center to navigate basic setups. Generalist Design: Because it serves many medical specialties, the interface includes irrelevant modules for mental health, such as meal plans and medical metrics. UI Inconsistencies: The user interface behaves differently across modules; for example, the claim interface provides error alerts that the superbill interface does not. Note Customization Limits: It is difficult to find obvious options for creating fully customized clinical note templates tailored to testing right out of the box. Cost Barriers: To access essential insurance billing features, practitioners must subscribe to higher-priced tiers, which can be expensive for group practices. Main Topics 00:01: Introduction to Healthie and the philosophy of blind EHR reviews 01:45: Initial onboarding process and navigating the primary user interface 05:20: Exploration of client demographics, gender identity options, and insurance entry 09:43: Review of the organizational settings, calendar functionality, and drag-and-drop features 13:20: Deep dive into the intake flow builder and paperwork automation 18:15: Evaluation of third-party integrations, including AI scribes and ClaimMD 22:30: Configuring appointment types and scheduling for long-form testing sessions 33:17: The disconnect between clinical charting and the CMS 1500 billing workflow 49:20: Final verdict on pricing, learning curves, and suitability for testing practices Cool Things Mentioned Craft: the premier membership community for testing psychologists Crafted Practice: the only in-person business retreat for testing psychologists Reverb: the premier AI-powered report-writing platform for testing psychologists Featured Resources TherapyNotes is the leading EHR system for mental health practitioners. I’ve used TherapyNotes for over 10 years, and it just keeps getting better. Use this link and the promo code “testing” to get two free months and try it for yourself! www.therapynotes.com/testing NovoPsych brings 150+ standardized measures into one platform. If you’re interested in high quality measures for personality, disability, ADHD or Autism, try NovoPsych with a 15-day free trial via this link: https://novopsych.com/testingpsychologist The Testing Psychologist podcast is approved for CEU’s!I’ve partnered with At Health to offer CE credits for podcast episodes! Visit this link to access current and past episodes available for CE credit. You can use code “TTP10” for a discount on ALL the course credits you purchase from At Health!hase from At Health! About Dr. Jeremy Sharp I’m a licensed psychologist and Clinical Director at the Colorado Center for Assessment & Counseling, a private practice that I founded in 2009 and have grown to over 20 clinicians. I earned my undergraduate degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina before getting my Master’s and PhD in Counseling Psychology from Colorado State University. These days, I specialize in psychological and neuropsychological evaluation with kids and adolescents. As the host of the Testing Psychologist Podcast, I provide private practice consulting for psychologists and other mental health professionals who want to start or grow psychological testing services in their practices. I live in Fort Collins, Colorado with my wife (also a therapist) and two young kids. Ready to grow your testing services? Click below to get on the waitlist! Join the Waitlist
Transcribe →573. Documentation 2.0: The Rise of AI w/ Dr. Maelisa McCaffrey
1w ago01:02:23Tap to summarizeWould you rather read the transcript? Click here. I’m excited to share this conversation with Dr. Maelisa McCaffrey, a clinical psychologist and documentation expert who has been closely monitoring the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence in the mental health field. In this episode, we move beyond the surface level of AI as a simple productivity tool and dive deep into the ethical, clinical, and compliance-related nuances that every practitioner needs to understand. Maelisa provides a comprehensive overview of the current landscape, from the rise of ambient listening scribes to the ways insurance companies are leveraging AI in their own processes. We discuss the transition from being a “doer” of documentation to becoming a “supervisor” of AI-generated content, emphasizing that while these tools can be life-changing for clinicians struggling with burnout, they do not absolve us of our professional responsibility for accuracy and clinical judgment. Main Topics 00:01:21: The increasing pervasiveness of AI across personal and professional domains. 00:05:40: Overview of the current AI landscape in mental health, including documentation and chatbots. 00:15:48: Four primary ways AI platforms assist with clinical note-taking. 00:21:18: Risks associated with session transcripts and the importance of data retention policies. 00:30:10: Ethical requirements for informed consent and navigating state-specific AI laws. 00:38:30: Technical vetting of AI companies: HIPAA compliance, BAAs, and anonymized vs. de-identified data. 00:52:06: The effectiveness of AI in clinical formulation, diagnosing, and treatment goal generation. 00:55:12: How insurance companies are utilizing AI for claims processing and potential denials. Cool Things Mentioned Craft: the premier membership community for testing psychologists Crafted Practice: the only in-person business retreat for testing psychologists Reverb: the premier AI-powered report-writing platform for testing psychologists QA Prep: www.qaprep.com Maelisa McCaffrey’s YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@MaelisaMcCaffrey Quill Therapy: www.quilltherapy.com Heidi Health: www.heidihealth.com Berries: www.getberries.ai Blueprint: www.blueprint-health.com Maelisa’s book: www.amazon.com/Stress-Free-Documentation-Psychologists-Mental-Health/dp/1138038318 Featured Resources TherapyNotes is the leading EHR system for mental health practitioners. I’ve used TherapyNotes for over 10 years, and it just keeps getting better. Use this link and the promo code “testing” to get two free months and try it for yourself! www.therapynotes.com/testing NovoPsych brings 150+ standardized measures into one platform. If you’re interested in high quality measures for personality, disability, ADHD or Autism, try NovoPsych with a 15-day free trial via this link: https://novopsych.com/testingpsychologist The Testing Psychologist podcast is approved for CEU’s!I’ve partnered with At Health to offer CE credits for podcast episodes! Visit this link to access current and past episodes available for CE credit. You can use code “TTP10” for a discount on ALL the course credits you purchase from At Health!for CE credit. You can use code “TTP10” for a discount on ALL the course credits you purchase from At Health! About Dr. Maelisa McCaffrey Dr. Maelisa McCaffrey is a licensed psychologist, nail design enthusiast, and author of the book, Stress-Free Documentation for Mental Health Therapists. Through her business QA Prep, she empowers therapists with training and consultation on clinical documentation. Maelisa focuses on the “why” behind the usual recommendations and encourages clinicians to think outside the box, while also keeping their ethics intact. As someone with ADHD who’s had to figure out what works through trial and error, Maelisa aims to make sure her trainings are practical, while also allowing for plenty of laughter and fun. Get in Touch & Resources: Website: qaprep.com YouTube: https://youtube.com/@maelisamccaffrey?si=tGClPQpdMFBVxuWc About Dr. Jeremy Sharp I’m a licensed psychologist and Clinical Director at the Colorado Center for Assessment & Counseling, a private practice that I founded in 2009 and have grown to over 20 clinicians. I earned my undergraduate degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina before getting my Master’s and PhD in Counseling Psychology from Colorado State University. These days, I specialize in psychological and neuropsychological evaluation with kids and adolescents. As the host of the Testing Psychologist Podcast, I provide private practice consulting for psychologists and other mental health professionals who want to start or grow psychological testing services in their practices. I live in Fort Collins, Colorado with my wife (also a therapist) and two young kids. Ready to grow your testing services? Click below to join our Waitlist! Join the Waitlist
Transcribe →572. Free Speech or Standard of Care? Summarizing the Chiles vs. Salazar Decision
2w ago00:49:29Tap to summarizeWould you rather read the transcript? Click here. The landscape of mental health regulation shifted dramatically in March 2026 with the Supreme Court’s ruling in Chiles v. Salazar. In this episode, I break down why a Colorado case about conversion therapy has far-reaching consequences for every licensed professional, particularly those of us in the assessment world. We explore the court’s decision to reclassify “talk therapy” and diagnostic reporting as protected speech rather than mere professional conduct. While this ruling offers a new shield against state-mandated orthodoxy (potentially protecting gender-affirming care in restrictive states), it also weakens the ability of licensing boards to proactively prevent harmful “quackery.” I discuss the “intellectual disability paradox” in legal precedent and why we might need to return to more rigid documentation to protect ourselves from the coming wave of civil litigation. Main Topics 00:35: The origins of the Minor Conversion Law (MCTL) and the 2019 Colorado legislative intent 01:34: Kaylee Chiles’ First Amendment challenge and the “talk therapy as speech” argument 02:45: The Supreme Court’s 8-1 decision: Viewpoint discrimination and the Gorsuch majority opinion 04:30: Medical consensus vs. constitutional protection: Why the court rejected the “standard of care” defense 05:25: Justice Katanji Brown Jackson’s dissent: The “scalpel vs. speech” warning and the danger of substandard care 07:10: Potential negative impacts: Proliferation of unproven therapies and the erosion of consumer trust 08:45: The silver lining: How this ruling could safeguard gender-affirming and reproductive health care 10:34: Impact on testing psychologists: Diagnostic reports as “synthesis of clinical judgment” and protected viewpoints 13:45: The shift in accountability: From proactive board regulation to reactive medical malpractice lawsuits 16:50: Practical takeaways: Navigating the new requirement for “flexibility in interpretation, rigidity in documentation.” Cool Things Mentioned Craft: the premier membership community for testing psychologists Crafted Practice: the only in-person business retreat for testing psychologists Reverb: the premier AI-powered report-writing platform for testing psychologists Featured Resources TherapyNotes is the leading EHR system for mental health practitioners. I’ve used TherapyNotes for over 10 years, and it just keeps getting better. Use this link and the promo code “testing” to get two free months and try it for yourself! www.therapynotes.com/testing NovoPsych brings 150+ standardized measures into one platform. If you’re interested in high quality measures for personality, disability, ADHD or Autism, try NovoPsych with a 15-day free trial via this link: https://novopsych.com/testingpsychologist The Testing Psychologist podcast is approved for CEU’s! I’ve partnered with At Health to offer CE credits for podcast episodes! Visit this link to access current and past episodes available for CE credit. You can use code “TTP10” for a discount on ALL the course credits you purchase from At Health!credit. You can use code “TTP10” for a discount on ALL the course credits you purchase from At Health! About Dr. Jeremy Sharp I’m a licensed psychologist and Clinical Director at the Colorado Center for Assessment & Counseling, a private practice that I founded in 2009 and have grown to over 20 clinicians. I earned my undergraduate degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina before getting my Master’s and PhD in Counseling Psychology from Colorado State University. These days, I specialize in psychological and neuropsychological evaluation with kids and adolescents. As the host of the Testing Psychologist Podcast, I provide private practice consulting for psychologists and other mental health professionals who want to start or grow psychological testing services in their practices. I live in Fort Collins, Colorado with my wife (also a therapist) and two young kids. Ready to grow your testing services? Click below to schedule a complimentary 30-minute pre-consulting call! Schedule Your Call
Transcribe →571. Practical, Values-Driven Supervision w/ Dr. Alison Wilkinson-Smith & Dr. Stephanie Nelson
2w ago00:49:29Tap to summarizeWould you rather read the transcript? Click here. In this episode, I sit down with Drs. Stephanie Nelson and Alison Wilkinson-Smith to address a persistent gap in the field of psychological assessment: the lack of a structured, evidence-based approach to supervision. We move beyond the traditional “osmosis” model of training to explore how supervisors can intentionally externalize their implicit expertise. Our conversation focuses on the SCOOP framework and the SWIRL model, providing a roadmap for navigating everything from case conceptualization to the emotional ruptures that occur when a supervisor and trainee reach a diagnostic stalemate. By integrating research on medical education and elite coaching with the core values of therapeutic assessment, Stephanie and Alison offer a comprehensive guide to becoming an attuned and effective supervisor. Main Topics Discussed 01:37: The origin of the collaboration and the “mixed bag” of early career supervision. 08:17: The current state of supervision literature and the competency-based shift. 12:42: Navigating the transition from unconscious effectiveness to expert teaching. 15:53: Establishing emotional safety and the “nesting bowls” of clinical containment. 35:29: An overview of the SCOOP model for structuring supervision sessions. 40:50: Using the “First Crack” method to identify a trainee’s zone of proximal development. 54:22: Strategies for externalizing implicit clinical skills and avoiding the “master-apprentice” trap. 59:37: Resolving friction and diagnostic stalemates using the SWIRL framework. Cool Things Mentioned Craft: the premier membership community for testing psychologists Crafted Practice: the only in-person business retreat for testing psychologists Reverb: the premier AI-powered report-writing platform for testing psychologists Stephanie & Alison’s upcoming workshop: https://www.level2psychconsult.com/supervision-and-mentorship-workshop Level 2 Psych Consult: https://www.level2psychconsult.com Essentials of Psychological Assessment Supervision (Jordan Wright): www.amazon.com/Essentials-Psychological-Assessment-Supervision-Essentials/dp/1119565507 Supervision in Neuropsychology (Bowden, Stuckey, and Bush): www.amazon.com/Supervision-Neuropsychology-Clinical-Neuropsychology-Practice/dp/0199837775 Therapeutic Assessment Institute: www.therapeuticassessment.com Featured Resources TherapyNotes is the leading EHR system for mental health practitioners. I’ve used TherapyNotes for over 10 years, and it just keeps getting better. Use this link and the promo code “testing” to get two free months and try it for yourself! www.therapynotes.com/testing NovoPsych brings 150+ standardized measures into one platform. If you’re interested in high quality measures for personality, disability, ADHD or Autism, try NovoPsych with a 15-day free trial via this link: https://novopsych.com/testingpsychologist The Testing Psychologist podcast is approved for CEU’s! I’ve partnered with At Health to offer CE credits for podcast episodes! Visit this link to access current and past episodes available for CE credit. You can use code “TTP10” for a discount on ALL the course credits you purchase from At Health! About Dr. Stephanie Nelson Dr. Stephanie Nelson is a pediatric neuropsychologist who specializes in complex differential diagnosis. She is board certified in both clinical neuropsychology and pediatric neuropsychology, and she is currently the president of the American Board of Pediatric Neuropsychology. She has a private practice in Seattle, WA. She also has a consultation practice called The Peer Consult, through which she provides consultation to psychologists and neuropsychologists who specialize in pediatric assessment. Get in Touch Website: www.thepeerconsult.com About Dr. Alison Wilkinson-Smith Dr. Wilkinson-Smith is board certified in Clinical Neuropsychology and has a sub specialty certification in Pediatric Neuropsychology by ABPP. She is also certified in Therapeutic Assessment of children by the TA institute. She is a Professor of Psychiatry and practices clinical neuropsychology in an academic medical setting and in private practice. She offers professional consultation on pediatric psychological and neuropsychological assessment, and she specializes in therapeutic and collaborative assessment techniques, pediatric functional neurological disorders, and assessment of children living with medical and psychosocial complexity.Get in Touch Website: level2psychconsult.com Private Practice Website: Nextlevelneuropsychology.com About Dr. Jeremy Sharp I’m a licensed psychologist and Clinical Director at the Colorado Center for Assessment & Counseling, a private practice that I founded in 2009 and have grown to over 20 clinicians. I earned my undergraduate degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina before getting my Master’s and PhD in Counseling Psychology from Colorado State University. These days, I specialize in psychological and neuropsychological evaluation with kids and adolescents. As the host of the Testing Psychologist Podcast, I provide private practice consulting for psychologists and other mental health professionals who want to start or grow psycho...
Transcribe →570. Autism Mini-Series: Exploring the Camouflaging Paradox
3w ago00:49:29Tap to summarizeWould you rather read the transcript? Click here. In this episode, I examine the diagnostic paradox of autism masking and camouflaging, specifically focusing on how clinicians can identify autism when a client’s surface behavior appears neurotypical. I discuss the limitations of traditional observational tools like the ADOS-2 and explain how the DSM-5-TR provides a framework for recognizing compensation and historical symptoms. By looking at the cognitive mechanisms behind masking and the significant mental health toll it takes, I offer a perspective that re-conceptualizes autism as a neurobiological reality rather than a purely behavioral one. My goal is to help practitioners understand that the ability to camouflage is not a reason to rule out a diagnosis but is often evidence of the diagnosis itself. Main Topics 00:01: Introduction to the diagnostic paradox of observable deficits versus effective camouflaging 02:20: Explicit recognition of compensation and the currently or by history clause in the DSM-5-TR 05:50: The cognitive shift from intuitive social cognition to rule-based learning and executive function 08:30: Why the need to camouflage confirms the presence of underlying social cognitive differences 13:50: Neuroimaging and the persistence of brain-based markers despite behavioral changes 18:00: Assessing functional impairment through the lens of exhaustion, burnout, and mental health burden 24:10: Re-conceptualizing autism as a neurobiological profile and the role of clinical consensus 27:30: Practical implications for clinicians and the risks of false negatives in adult evaluations Cool Things Mentioned Craft: the premier membership community for testing psychologists Crafted Practice: the only in-person business retreat for testing psychologists Reverb: the premier AI-powered report-writing platform for testing psychologists Featured Resources TherapyNotes is the leading EHR system for mental health practitioners. I’ve used TherapyNotes for over 10 years, and it just keeps getting better. Use this link and the promo code “testing” to get two free months and try it for yourself! www.therapynotes.com/testing NovoPsych brings 150+ standardized measures into one platform. If you’re interested in high quality measures for personality, disability, ADHD or Autism, try NovoPsych with a 15-day free trial via this link: https://novopsych.com/testingpsychologist The Testing Psychologist podcast is approved for CEU’s!I’ve partnered with At Health to offer CE credits for podcast episodes! Visit this link to access current and past episodes available for CE credit. You can use code “TTP10” for a discount on ALL the course credits you purchase from At Health! About Dr. Jeremy Sharp I’m a licensed psychologist and Clinical Director at the Colorado Center for Assessment & Counseling, a private practice that I founded in 2009 and have grown to over 20 clinicians. I earned my undergraduate degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina before getting my Master’s and PhD in Counseling Psychology from Colorado State University. These days, I specialize in psychological and neuropsychological evaluation with kids and adolescents. As the host of the Testing Psychologist Podcast, I provide private practice consulting for psychologists and other mental health professionals who want to start or grow psychological testing services in their practices. I live in Fort Collins, Colorado with my wife (also a therapist) and two young kids. Ready to grow your testing services? Click below to get on the waitlist! Join the Waitlist
Transcribe →569. Autism Mini-Series: Camouflaging and Masking Overview
Apr 2000:49:29Tap to summarizeWould you rather read the transcript? Click here. It’s great to be back with you all as we continue this deep dive into the world of autism and neurodivergence. Today, we are tackling a topic that has really taken the clinical world by storm over the last several years, and that is the concept of camouflaging and masking. Honestly, this is one of those areas where the research is moving so fast it can be hard to keep up, but it is also deeply personal for so many of the folks we see in our offices. I wanted to take some time to really look at the literature: what we actually know, what we think we know, and where the holes are. Because as much as we talk about “masking,” the science behind it is actually a lot more nuanced and a lot more complicated than it might seem on the surface. Main Topics 00:01: Defining camouflaging as the conscious or unconscious strategies used to hide or compensate for autistic characteristics in social settings 01:45: The three core components of camouflaging: compensation, masking, and assimilation according to the Hull et al. (2019) framework 04:10: Methods for measuring camouflaging, including the CAT-Q self-report measure and the discrepancy method between cognitive ability and observed traits 06:45: The weak correlation between self-report and discrepancy measures and what that tells us about intention versus effectiveness 08:15: Prevalence of camouflaging in autistic versus non-autistic populations and its role as a broader form of impression management 10:20: Sex and gender differences in camouflaging and why females consistently report higher scores across studies 12:40: The significant mental health impact of camouflaging, including burnout, identity confusion, and suicidal ideation 15:15: Critical validity concerns regarding the CAT-Q and potential construct overlap with social anxiety Cool Things Mentioned Craft: the premier membership community for testing psychologists Crafted Practice: the only in-person business retreat for testing psychologists Reverb: the premier AI-powered report-writing platform for testing psychologists Featured Resources TherapyNotes is the leading EHR system for mental health practitioners. I’ve used TherapyNotes for over 10 years, and it just keeps getting better. Use this link and the promo code “testing” to get two free months and try it for yourself! www.therapynotes.com/testing NovoPsych brings 150+ standardized measures into one platform. If you’re interested in high quality measures for personality, disability, ADHD or Autism, try NovoPsych with a 15-day free trial via this link: https://novopsych.com/testingpsychologist The Testing Psychologist podcast is approved for CEU’s! I’ve partnered with At Health to offer CE credits for podcast episodes! Visit this link to access current and past episodes available for CE credit. You can use code “TTP10” for a discount on ALL the course credits you purchase from At Health! About Dr. Jeremy Sharp I’m a licensed psychologist and Clinical Director at the Colorado Center for Assessment & Counseling, a private practice that I founded in 2009 and have grown to over 20 clinicians. I earned my undergraduate degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina before getting my Master’s and PhD in Counseling Psychology from Colorado State University. These days, I specialize in psychological and neuropsychological evaluation with kids and adolescents. As the host of the Testing Psychologist Podcast, I provide private practice consulting for psychologists and other mental health professionals who want to start or grow psychological testing services in their practices. I live in Fort Collins, Colorado with my wife (also a therapist) and two young kids. Ready to grow your testing services? Click below to get on the waitlist! Join the Waitlist
Transcribe →568. Autism Mini-Series: The Female Autism Phenotype
Apr 1300:49:29Tap to summarizeWould you rather read the transcript? Click here. I’m back with the second part of our mini-series on autism. Today I’m really trying to parse out why we’re seeing such a gap in how often we diagnose males versus females. We’re also diving into the social communication paradox (how someone can look really skilled on the surface while still struggling with the same underlying neurological hurdles), and the way restricted interests look different when they’re focused on things like animals or art instead of train schedules. It’s a lot to wrestle with, especially when the DSM hasn’t quite caught up to what we’re seeing in our offices every day, but I’m hoping this helps clear up some of that diagnostic fog. Main Topics 00:01: Discussion of the four-to-one male-to-female prevalence ratio and the evidence for under diagnosis in females 01:45: The timing of diagnosis and how delays in assessment compound over time for female patients 02:28: The intellectual disability paradox and how impairment levels influence diagnostic rates 03:20: Research on social communication differences and the distinction between observable skills and underlying understanding 04:55: Issues with measurement bias in the ADOS and the problem of diagnostic overshadowing with co-occurring conditions 07:10: Quantitative and qualitative differences in restricted interests and repetitive behaviors across sexes 10:21: Statistics on psychiatric comorbidities and why autistic females face higher rates of anxiety and depression 12:50: Developmental trajectories from early childhood through adulthood and the adolescence inflection point 14:30: A preliminary look at camouflaging and the CAT-Q subscales in the female phenotype Cool Things Mentioned Craft: the premier membership community for testing psychologists Crafted Practice: the only in-person business retreat for testing psychologists Reverb: the premier AI-powered report-writing platform for testing psychologists Featured Resources TherapyNotes is the leading EHR system for mental health practitioners. I’ve used TherapyNotes for over 10 years, and it just keeps getting better. Use this link and the promo code “testing” to get two free months and try it for yourself! www.therapynotes.com/testingn use code “TTP10” for a discount on ALL the course credits you purchase from At Health! NovoPsych brings 150+ standardized measures into one platform. If you’re interested in high quality measures for personality, disability, ADHD or Autism, try NovoPsych with a 15-day free trial via this link: https://novopsych.com/testingpsychologist The Testing Psychologist podcast is approved for CEU’s! I’ve partnered with At Health to offer CE credits for podcast episodes! Visit this link to access current and past episodes available for CE credit. You can use code “TTP10” for a discount on ALL the course credits you purchase from At Health! About Dr. Jeremy Sharp I’m a licensed psychologist and Clinical Director at the Colorado Center for Assessment & Counseling, a private practice that I founded in 2009 and have grown to over 20 clinicians. I earned my undergraduate degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina before getting my Master’s and PhD in Counseling Psychology from Colorado State University. These days, I specialize in psychological and neuropsychological evaluation with kids and adolescents. As the host of the Testing Psychologist Podcast, I provide private practice consulting for psychologists and other mental health professionals who want to start or grow psychological testing services in their practices. I live in Fort Collins, Colorado with my wife (also a therapist) and two young kids. Ready to grow your testing services? Click below to get on the waitlist! Join the Waitlist
Transcribe →567. How to Talk to Kids About AI
Apr 900:49:29Tap to summarizeWould you rather read the transcript? Click here. I’m coming at this episode as much as a parent as I am a psychologist or the co-founder of an AI company. After my own son got flagged by a teacher for potentially using AI on a writing assignment, I had a pretty humbling realization: I hadn’t actually taught him what responsible AI use looks like. Most of our kids (about 70% of teens) are already using these tools, but they’re doing it in a vacuum without much guidance from schools or home. In this conversation, I wanted to move past the “cheating” panic and look at the real developmental stakes. We’re talking about how passive AI use might be replacing the “cognitive heavy lifting” kids need to build critical thinking and how we, as clinicians and parents, can start having the “AI Talk” early and often to turn these tools into structured thought partners rather than just answer generators. Main Topics 00:01: The “Cop’s Kid” moment: How my son’s school assignment became a wake-up call about teaching responsible AI use. 03:05: Current statistics on teenage AI adoption and why school policies are struggling to keep pace with the technology. 05:40: Why the real concern isn’t just academic integrity, but the potential “atrophy” of critical thinking and analytical skills. 08:30: Comparing the “AI Talk” to the “Sex Talk”—why it needs to start early (age 8-10) and evolve over time. 11:20: Privacy red flags and why we need to monitor for “secrecy” or “humanizing” AI in our kids’ digital habits. 13:10: A framework for healthy AI use: Outsourcing the rote tasks while keeping the “human brain in the loop.” 14:50: Prompt Engineering as a metacognitive skill: Teaching kids to give context and identify where they are stuck. 18:20: Tailoring AI for neurodivergent kids: Specific strategies and prompts for ADHD, Dyslexia, and Autism. 24:30: Using the “Socratic Method” with AI to help teenagers navigate social conflict and perspective-taking. Cool Things Mentioned Craft: the premier membership community for testing psychologists Crafted Practice: the only in-person business retreat for testing psychologists Reverb: the premier AI-powered report-writing platform for testing psychologists Simple prompt framework for kids document Featured Resources TherapyNotes is the leading EHR system for mental health practitioners. I’ve used TherapyNotes for over 10 years, and it just keeps getting better. Use this link and the promo code “testing” to get two free months and try it for yourself! www.therapynotes.com/testing NovoPsych brings 150+ standardized measures into one platform. If you’re interested in high quality measures for personality, disability, ADHD or Autism, try NovoPsych with a 15-day free trial via this link: https://novopsych.com/testingpsychologist The Testing Psychologist podcast is approved for CEU’s! I’ve partnered with At Health to offer CE credits for podcast episodes! Visit this link to access current and past episodes available for CE credit. You can use code “TTP10” for a discount on ALL the course credits you purchase from At Health! About Dr. Jeremy Sharp I’m a licensed psychologist and Clinical Director at the Colorado Center for Assessment & Counseling, a private practice that I founded in 2009 and have grown to over 20 clinicians. I earned my undergraduate degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina before getting my Master’s and PhD in Counseling Psychology from Colorado State University. These days, I specialize in psychological and neuropsychological evaluation with kids and adolescents. As the host of the Testing Psychologist Podcast, I provide private practice consulting for psychologists and other mental health professionals who want to start or grow psychological testing services in their practices. I live in Fort Collins, Colorado with my wife (also a therapist) and two young kids. Ready to grow your testing services? Click below to get on the waitlist! Join the Waitlist
Transcribe →566. Autism Mini-Series: A Review of the ADOS-2
Apr 600:49:29Tap to summarizeWould you rather read the transcript? Click here. I remember being trained on the original ADOS back in grad school, and even though the ADOS-2 has been out for over a decade now, we are still constantly learning about where it shines and where it kind of falls short. In this episode, I’m digging into the actual numbers behind the instrument, from its 90% sensitivity to the much more complicated reality of its specificity, especially when we’re working with clinical populations like ADHD or anxiety. I’m also tackling the “compensation paradox” and the very real data showing how the ADOS-2 might be under-identifying females and people of color. It’s a nuanced look at a tool we use every day, and I think it’s a necessary conversation if we want to move toward more equitable, accurate assessments. 00:35: The history of the ADOS and its evolution into the current “gold standard” 02:21: Breaking down the five modules and how language level dictates administration 05:40: Sensitivity vs. Specificity: What the meta-analyses actually tell us about accuracy 08:25: The false positive problem and the predictive limitations of “Autism Spectrum” classifications 11:11: Why the ADOS-2 should never supersede clinical judgment in a comprehensive battery 12:45: Differential diagnosis challenges with ADHD, social anxiety, and language disorders 15:30: The “Compensation Paradox” in high-functioning and low-support needs individuals 18:49: Data on sex differences and why the algorithm might be biased against female presentations 21:13: Addressing racial bias and the limitations of a tool validated primarily on white samples Cool Things Mentioned Craft: the premier membership community for testing psychologists Crafted Practice: the only in-person business retreat for testing psychologists Reverb: the premier AI-powered report-writing platform for testing psychologists Featured Resources TherapyNotes is the leading EHR system for mental health practitioners. I’ve used TherapyNotes for over 10 years, and it just keeps getting better. Use this link and the promo code “testing” to get two free months and try it for yourself! www.therapynotes.com/testing NovoPsych brings 150+ standardized measures into one platform. If you’re interested in high quality measures for personality, disability, ADHD or Autism, try NovoPsych with a 15-day free trial via this link: https://novopsych.com/testingpsychologist The Testing Psychologist podcast is approved for CEU’s! I’ve partnered with At Health to offer CE credits for podcast episodes! Visit this link to access current and past episodes available for CE credit. You can use code “TTP10” for a discount on ALL the course credits you purchase from At Health! About Dr. Jeremy Sharp I’m a licensed psychologist and Clinical Director at the Colorado Center for Assessment & Counseling, a private practice that I founded in 2009 and have grown to over 20 clinicians. I earned my undergraduate degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina before getting my Master’s and PhD in Counseling Psychology from Colorado State University. These days, I specialize in psychological and neuropsychological evaluation with kids and adolescents. As the host of the Testing Psychologist Podcast, I provide private practice consulting for psychologists and other mental health professionals who want to start or grow psychological testing services in their practices. I live in Fort Collins, Colorado with my wife (also a therapist) and two young kids. Ready to grow your testing services? Click below to get on the waitlist! Join the Waitlist
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