Helping families gain insight into their child’s learning, attention, and emotional needs through careful, evidence-based assessment.

Valerie K. Imbriale, M.A, LEP#4787

Licensed Educational Psychologist

Psychoeducational Assessments

Valerie provides comprehensive evaluations designed to identify a student’s strengths, challenges, and learning profile. Each evaluation includes standardized testing, record review, parent input, and detailed recommendations.

Psychoeducational Evaluations-Assess cognitive abilities, academic achievement, and learning processes to identify learning disabilities, dyslexia, and processing differences.

ADHD Evaluations-Evaluate attention, executive functioning, and behavioral regulation to support accurate diagnosis and effective intervention planning.

Giftedness Assessment-A giftness assessment evaluates a child's cognitive functioning, which is commonly known as an Intelligence Test. It provides a child's overall Intelligence Quotient (IQ). This assessment will reveal how well a child thinks using words (verbal), how well a child thinks with pictures, puzzles, and blocks (nonverbal), how quickly a child processes information, and how well a child retains information (memory skills).  

Autism Spectrum Evaluations-Comprehensive assessment of social communication, behavior, and developmental functioning to support diagnostic clarity and educational planning.

Academic and Educational Planning-Recommendations to support IEP’s and 504 Plans, School accommodations, instructional strategies, and home/school collaboration.

Each evaluation includes a comprehensive written report and a feedback meeting to review results and provide clear recommendations.

Counseling

Academic &Sports Performance Anxiety

Anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can significantly affect a student’s ability to access learning and function effectively in the school environment, including academic, social, and extracurricular settings. These challenges may impact attention, academic performance, classroom behavior, social-emotional functioning, and participation in school based sports.

While some anxiety is a normal part of learning and performance, persistent or elevated anxiety can interfere with a student’s ability to focus, regulate emotions, and demonstrate their skills. Students. may experience increase anxiety related to tryouts, competitions, fear of making mistakes, pressure to perform, or balancing academic and athletic demands.

Services may include psycho-educational assessment, educationally related counseling, and school-based recommendations to support students in managing anxiety, strengthening coping strategies, and building confidence across both academic and athletic settings.

I also provide individualized, in-person therapy for children and teens using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and growth mindset principles. Therapy is designed to nurture self-confidence, encourage healthy habits, and help students develop practical coping skills that support learning, performance, and overall well-being.

Counseling- $180 per hour 

LEP’s are licensed mental health professionals who are qualified to diagnose and provide counseling for youth who have needs that are within our scope of training and expertise.

What to Expect:

Intake Process

The assessment process begins with an initial intake meeting lasting approximately 60-90 minutes. During this time, we discuss your child’s concerns, review relevant history, and clarify goals of the evaluation to ensure the assessment is thoughtfully tailored to your child’s needs.

Preparing for Testing

To support the most accurate and meaningful results, families are encourged to help their child arrive well-rested, nourished, and relaxed on testing days. Breaks are built into the evaluation as needed, and expectations are clearly explained to help children feel comfortable an confident throughout the process.

What to Share with your Child

When preparing your child for testing, explain the process in a calm, positive way and emphasize that the activities help us understand how they learn and how to best support them.

Psychoeducational Testing

Following intake, testing is completed over multiple sessions depending on the referral questions and the child’s needs. Breaks are provided to ensure comfort and accurate results.

Feedback

Results are shared in a feedback meeting designed to be clear and supportive. Parents receive a detailed review of findings, information is explained, and recommendations are always included.

                                      Testing Accommodations

When College Feels Harder Than You Expected

There are many reasons why a student who did really well in high school might start struggling in college. For most students, it simply takes time to adjust. College is different — the expectations are higher, the structure is looser, and you’re expected to manage much more on your own. It’s normal to need some time to figure out how to perform at your best in this new environment.

That said, sometimes the struggle goes beyond a normal adjustment period. In some cases, learning challenges that were manageable in high school become more noticeable in college. The increased demands can make it harder to compensate the way you may have before.

I speak with college and university students in this situation all the time. They tell me they’re having trouble keeping up, understanding the material, or earning the grades they’re used to. Over time, this can really affect confidence. Testing anxiety increases. Motivation drops. Some students even start to wonder if college just isn’t for them.

I want you to know — there are supports available long before it gets to that point.

How Do You Know If What You’re Experiencing Is “Normal”?

The first step is to talk to someone about what’s going on. That might be a school counselor, a parent, a mentor, or another trusted adult. Speaking with an educational psychologist can also be especially helpful.

Sometimes the solution is practical — adjusting study habits, improving time management, or cutting back on social commitments. Other times, there may be something more going on, such as anxiety, ADHD, dyslexia, or another learning difference that hasn’t been identified yet.

Having a professional help you sort through this can bring clarity and direction.

How Can You Tell If a Learning Disorder Is Affecting You?

A comprehensive learning disability assessment can provide answers. It looks at both your strengths and the areas where you’re having difficulty. If a specific learning disability is identified, the assessment also outlines recommendations for support.

Most colleges and universities require formal documentation in order to provide accommodations. But beyond meeting that requirement, students often tell me that simply understanding how their brain works gives them relief and renewed confidence. It provides practical strategies and insight that can help not just in school, but in future careers as well.

What Types of Accommodations Are Available?

Accommodations vary depending on individual needs. They may include:

  • Extra time on exams

  • Permission to record lectures

  • Access to text-to-speech software

  • Alternative testing formats

  • Academic support services or learning specialists

  • Mentorship programs

These supports are not about giving anyone an advantage. They are about leveling the playing field so students can demonstrate what they truly know.

Let’s Talk

Please don’t let the idea of pursuing accommodations stop you from getting the help you deserve. The process may feel overwhelming at first, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. I — along with professionals at your school — am here to help guide you through it.

Whether you just want to explore your options or are ready to move forward with an assessment, I’m happy to talk.

Phone: 818-618-6633

E-mail: Evalwithval@gmail.com