Jennifer Gale, PsyD
770-953-4744 ext. 29

Dr. Gale specializes in providing comprehensive psychological evaluations, psycho-educational evaluations, developmental evaluations, and child custody evaluations. She works with children, adolescents, and adults who have a wide variety of presenting problems including Autism, Asperger’s Disorder, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Learning Disabilities, processing problems, communication problems, medical disabilities, developmental delays, as well as social delays, depression, and anxiety. Dr. Gale’s comprehensive evaluations are extremely helpful for clients because of the specific, client-tailored recommendations she provides at the end of the evaluation process.

Dr. Gale is an independently licensed psychologist who has been working with clients in private practice since 2007.  Her doctorate is in clinical psychology from Fuller Theological Seminary, Graduate School of Psychology (APA-approved) in Pasadena, California. Much of Dr. Gale’s training was obtained in community mental health clinics, schools, and in a private neuropsychological clinic. Her graduate research and current perspective includes a focus on the Positive Youth Development model, which views children and adolescents as “assets to be developed, not problems to be managed.” She believes that by increasing the protective factors and decreasing risk factors, youth are equipped to develop into thriving adults.  Dr. Gale completed a Post-Doctoral Fellowship in a private practice setting.  Her clinical practice currently serves children, adolescents, and adults throughout Georgia as well as several surrounding states. Dr. Gale is a founding member of the Pediatric Resource Network (PRN), an Atlanta-based non-profit organization which provides information and resources to families who have children with disabilities. Dr. Gale lives with her husband and three daughters in East Cobb and is available by appointment to see clients in the Marietta office.

In order to determine what psychological evaluation best fits the needs of you or your loved one, the following is a description of the different types of evaluations offered by Dr. Gale:

A psychological evaluation involves the assessment of an individual’s cognitive abilities, socio-emotional and behavioral functioning, and personality. It is an effective means to understand how someone thinks, problem solves, and learns new information, as well how the individual processes emotions and copes with stress.  Psychological evaluations are beneficial as they establish a specific diagnosis for the client and provide an individually-tailored intervention plan with specific recommendations (e.g., therapy, medication, etc.).

A psychoeducational evaluation includes all the components of a standard psychological evaluation (see above) but in addition includes assessment of an individual’s learning style, processing strengths and weaknesses, and academic achievement in the domains of math, reading, and written expression. A psychoeducational evaluation is necessary to diagnose specific or general learning disabilities in children as well as ADHD. They are instrumental in helping parents and teachers better understands a child's strengths and weaknesses.

A developmental evaluation is an in-depth assessment of a young child’s overall functioning. Dr. Gale will use collateral information as well as direct, objective testing to determine the child’s functioning with regard to socio-emotional functioning, adaptive behavior, fine and gross motor skills, communication skills, and pre-academic skills. Developmental evaluations are most commonly used for young children who have a medical disability, such as Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, or a developmental disability, which means that they do not appear to be achieving communication or motor milestones at an expected rate.

A child custody evaluation is a court-ordered evaluation that is sometimes necessary during a divorce, to determine recommendations as to the parenting plan is in the best interest of the child(ren). Dr. Gale has received specific training to conduct child custody evaluations through the Georgia Psychological Association. She is also a member of the Association of Family and Concilation Courts (AFCC). Dr. Gale’s custody evaluations are extremely comprehensive and detailed. Attorney recommendations of her previous custody evaluations are available upon request.

Dr. Gale also provides psychological evaluations required for the following specific needs:

Katie Beckett/Deeming Waiver Evaluations: Dr. Gale specializes in psychological evaluations for children with medical and developmental disabilities, specifically evaluations that are needed to renew their Katie Beckett or Deeming Waiver. She has experience in what is required for these evaluations and works quickly to help families meet the strict timelines required so that they avoid a denial and risk a lapse in their child’s services. These evaluations consist of a developmental evaluation (for children under age 5) or a standard psychological evaluation (for children age 5 or older).

Documentation for Accommodations on College Entrance Testing: Dr. Gale also provides testing for students with learning disabilities, ADHD, or processing deficits, who are requesting documentation of their deficits in order to receive accommodations on college entrance exams, such as the SAT and ACT. Accommodations such as extended time, small group setting, frequent breaks, permission to write answers directly on the test booklet, and verbal administration of the test are often helpful to help the student achieve his or her best performance on these standardized tests. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I tell my child about before their appointment?

Explanations will vary depending on the age and maturity of the child. Generally, you may want to explain that, because nobody has the same brain, the evaluation will give information about how their unique brain “works.” Emphasize that many children have evaluations and that this does not mean that there is "something wrong" with them. Reassure your child that this process provides information to help make school/life easier for them. It is best to present an evaluation as different “activities” and avoid using the word "games" because they may be disappointed that many of the tasks are like school and/or they may not give as much effort if it is just a “game.” It is also recommended to avoid using the word “test” as this may unnecessarily increase their level of anxiety and gives them a false idea that they should know the answer to every question. 
At the beginning of the testing, Dr. Gale will explain to the child what is expected of them during the session. They will be told that they will be asked to do many different “activities.” Some of these activities will be similar to things they do at school and other activities will be new and not at all like schoolwork. The psychologist will also explain that, for each activity, the questions start off easy and get more difficult as the activity progresses; however, they should remember that the activities are designed so that no one knows every answer and they are only required to try their best on every item. The activities change frequently and include things such as drawing, looking at pictures, and answering questions verbally.

What is the cost of an evaluation?

The cost of an evaluation is determined based on the amount of time needed to conduct the initial interview, administer the selected tests, score and interpret the results, provide oral feedback of the results, talk with collateral contacts, and write a detailed report of the findings. The amount of time required depends on the nature of the presenting problems and/or referral questions as well as the tests required to effectively and efficiently provide the requested information. Therefore, evaluation costs vary based on the individual needs of each client. Dr. Gale accepts Medicaid when it is the client’s primary insurance. She is an out-of-network provider for all other insurance plans; therefore, payment is required directly to her office at the time of the service. You may request a superbill from the office manager to submit to your insurance company who will then reimburse you directly per your out-network benefits. When needed, monthly payment plans are available and can be arranged with Dr. Gale prior to your evaluation appointment.

What are the steps involved in an evaluation?

You may contact Dr. Gale directly to set up an intake appointment to begin your evaluation. After the first appointment is made, you will receive some preliminary paperwork in the mail. This will include a New Patient Information form, HIPPA Notice, History Questionnaire and Behavior Rating Scales. The behavior rating scales will have a label identifying who is to complete each one (i.e., client, client’s parents, client’s teachers, or client’s spouse). All of the preliminary paperwork will need to be fully completed and returned at your first appointment.

•    Intake: The first appointment will last approximately 45-60 minutes. Dr. Gale will review the preliminary paperwork, obtain additional history information, and understand specific areas of strength and concern. The intake should be attended only by the parent(s)/guardian(s) if the client is under the age of 18. 

•    Direct Testing: After the intake appointment is completed, you will need to schedule an appointment to begin the direct, objective testing with Dr. Gale. The testing appointments may last anywhere from 1 to 4 hours, depending on the client. Often, more than one testing session is required to complete the direct assessment portion of the evaluation.  Dr. Gale does all of her own testing and does not employ a psychometrician to assist her with any part of the evaluation.

Clients will be allowed several short breaks during the direct testing and are welcome to bring snacks and a drink. Parents of younger children generally stay in the waiting room; however, parents of older children are welcome to leave the office and return at the end of the appointment, if preferred. If a parent leaves the office, they will be asked to leave a cell phone number in the event that they need to be reached and prepare to return 15 minutes prior to the end of the appointment.

•    Feedback: After the direct testing is completed, Dr. Gale will schedule an appointment to meet with the client and/or the client’s parents for a 60-90 minute feedback session.  Specific results and information obtained through the direct testing, a review of intake information and pertinent records, collateral behavior rating scales, and behavioral observations will be discussed during that appointment. Additionally, Dr. Gale will provide specific recommendations based on the results and diagnosis (i.e. interpersonal therapy, academic coaching services, IEP assistance for academic accommodations at school, speech/language therapy, occupational therapy, vision therapy, physical therapy, medication management, etc.).  

•    Report: A detailed, formal written report with background information, as well as specific results, diagnosis, and recommendations will also be provided to the client and/or the client’s parents either at the time of the feedback appointment or shortly thereafter. With permission, Dr. Gale will be glad to provide a copy of this report to physicians, treatment providers, and school personnel for the purpose of continuity of care and to ensure treatment goals are met.