The Testing Psychologist Podcast

Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. Today, I have the honor of speaking with Dr. Kevin McGrew, lead author of the Woodcock-Johnson battery and a leading expert on intelligence theory, to re-examine how we understand and evaluate human intelligence. We discuss his career journey from practicing school psychologist to educational researcher. Dr. McGrew breaks down the mathematical limitations of relying solely on IQ scores to predict academic performance. We unpack his CAMML model (Cognitive Affective Motivation Model of Learning) to evaluate how motivation, self-beliefs, and self-regulated learning drive real-world achievement. Finally, we discuss why general intelligence (g) may be better understood as an emergent property rather than a biological entity in the brain, alongside emerging digital innovations and psychometric network models shaping the future of assessment. Main Topics Discussed 00:52: Early experiences in school psychology and developing a foundational interest in individual differences 04:08: Alan Kaufman’s intelligent testing framework and early clinical adoption of the Woodcock-Johnson 17:50: The historical 1986 meeting bringing together John Horn and John Carroll to form CHC theory 20:49: The Forrest Gump presentation and the mathematical reality of standard errors of estimate 30:14: Introducing the CAMEL model for evaluating non-cognitive drivers of learning 42:25: Addressing structural gaps in graduate training regarding motivation and individual differences 53:01: Re-evaluating general intelligence (g) as an emergent property akin to engine horsepower 01:06:33: Future frontiers in assessment including psychometric network models, meta-SEMs, and millisecond digital timing Resources 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 Mind Hub (Dr. Kevin McGrew’s official research site): https://www.iitemindhub.com Canadian Journal of School Psychology (McGrew 2022 CAMEL Model Paper): https://journals.sagepub.com/home/cjs Journal of Intelligence (McGrew 2023 Network Analysis Paper): https://www.mdpi.com/journal/jintelligence Marker Learning Research and Test Blueprint: https://www.markerlearning.com National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO): https://nceo.info Cross-Battery Assessment (XBA) 4th Edition by Dawn P. Flanagan et al.: https://www.wiley.com Dr. McGrew’s Handout 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!“TTP10” for a discount on ALL the course credits you purchase from At Health! About Dr. Kevin McGrew Dr. Kevin McGrew has been a practicing school psychologist, educational psychologist researcher interested in individual differences in learning, professor of applied psychology, coauthor of the WJ III, WJ V, and WJ V (lead author), intelligence and applied psychometric expert witness/consultant in “Atkins” intellectual disability death penalty cases, and is the director of the Institute for Applied Psychometrics (IAP). Get in touch: Email: [email protected] Web: www.themindhub.com Blog: www.iqscorner.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kmcgrew 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

Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. In this episode, I walk through how to decide whether to say yes when a new opportunity shows up, whether it’s a referral partner asking for screenings, a side service that seems like a natural fit, or adding another discipline or age group to your evaluations. I share five questions I run before adding anything to a practice: who will actually do the work, what comes off your plate to make room, whether the math still works once hidden costs like travel, measures, admin time and supervision show up, whether you’d genuinely enjoy the work every week, and whether the deadline is as real as it feels. I also talk about how to play a new service all the way through on paper, and how to run a time-boxed pilot with a clear definition of success before you commit. Topics discussed 00:00: A good idea that cost more than expected 02:30: Three common opportunities testing practices face 04:30: Who’s going to do the work, and is it you? 07:30: What comes off your plate when you say yes 10:30: The hidden costs of a new service, and playing it through on paper 14:30: Why enjoyment is a legitimate business criterion 17:00: Testing the deadline and piloting with a clear end date 19:00: Running the five questions on your own next yes Resources 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!“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 join our Waitlist! Join the Waitlist

Click here to read the transcript In this episode, Dr. Danielle McGeough joins me for an insightful discussion on how high-achieving professionals and practice owners can cultivate fulfilling lives without sacrificing ambition. We examine the intersection of identity, storytelling, and behavioral performance, exploring how daily iterations shape our professional reality. Dr. McGeough shares research-backed insights on gender socialization, human giver syndrome, and the burden of non-promotable tasks in healthcare and helping professions. We also address practical strategies for time management, distinguishing between systemic demoralization and burnout, and establishing clear transition rituals between work and home life using her RISE framework. Finally, we discuss how to thoughtfully evaluate AI tools to streamline administrative load without losing meaningful connection and clinical presence. 00:53: Redefining ambition, growth through practice pruning, and living a fulfilling life 04:25: Storytelling, performance studies, and how daily actions construct professional identity 10:32: Human giver syndrome, gender socialization, and non-promotable tasks in the workplace 16:37: Cognitive dissonance around pricing, clinical boundaries, and financial value 23:05: Transforming time management into personal development through morning planning rituals 29:45: Navigating work-to-home transitions using the RISE ritual framework 35:44: Distinguishing between burnout and demoralization in healthcare and helping professions 41:05: Balancing AI automation with intentionality, creativity, and meaningful clinical work Resources 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 Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski: https://amzn.to/4ApDwOe  The No Club: Putting a Stop to Women’s Un-Promotable Tasks by Linda Babcock: https://amzn.to/3V7nMiR Plan Goal Plan Website: www.plangoalplan.com Danielle McGeough, PhD on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/daniellemcgeough The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh: www.parallax.org  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. Danielle McGeough Danielle McGeough, Ph.D. is equal parts professor, planner, and ritual nerd. She believes that what we are starving for isn’t better behavior, but a life that means something. For over twenty years, Danielle has taught communication and community-building in higher education. She’s the host of the Plan Goal Plan podcast, ranked in the top 1.5% worldwide, and a certified Women-Centered and Elite Life Coach who helps high performers and teams turn everyday routines into transformative rituals that avoid burnout and create sustainable success. With a mix of research-backed strategy, deep reflection, and playful energy, Danielle’s mission is simple: help you realign not just with your goals, but with yourself. Get in touch: Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.plangoalplan.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-mcgeough-phd-b673334/ 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

Click here to read the transcript In this episode, I have the opportunity to speak with Dr. Taylor Day (Dr. Tay) to explore the logistics, benefits, and clinical nuances of operating an entirely virtual psychology practice. Dr. Tay shares her transition from academic medical research to running a thriving, multi-state private practice through PSYPACT, relying heavily on organic social media marketing and care coordination to build her caseload. We discuss the practical realities of tele-assessment, including battery adaptation using tools like the RIAS-2, DAYC-2, and MIGDAS, while addressing common clinician hesitations regarding observational validity in virtual environments. Additionally, Dr. Tay offers insights on pricing models, fee structures, and the ethical separation between clinical practice and educational consulting offerings. Main Topics 01:17: Transitioning from academia to a fully virtual private practice model 06:56: Overcoming overthinking and maintaining transparency with client families 12:58: Building an organic client referral pipeline using Instagram and Facebook 19:18: Strategic networking with non-psychology healthcare providers across state lines 34:02: Legal and administrative separation of clinical care and educational coaching 36:27: Structuring a virtual pediatric autism evaluation battery and workflow 45:56: Addressing observational validity and common critiques of tele-assessment 52:58: Shifting pricing strategies from hourly rates to transformational value models Resources 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 PSYPACT (Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact): www.psypact.org  Reynolds Intellectual Assessment Scales, Second Edition (RIAS-2): www.parinc.com Developmental Assessment of Young Children, Second Edition (DAYC-2):www.wpspublish.com Monteiro Interview Guidelines for Diagnosing the Autism Spectrum (MIGDAS-2): www.wpspublish.com Tele-ASD-Peds (Tele-Autism Spectrum Disorder Pediatric Progress): www.vumc.org  Evolve with Dr. Tay Podcast: www.drtaylorday.com Dr. Tay’s Resources: Register for Dr. Taylor’s upcoming Telehealth CE: Conducting Comprehensive Telehealth Evaluations for Autism and Co-Occurring Conditions Autism Traits Guide: https://drtay.thrivecart.com/autism-traits-guide High-Masking Autism On-Demand CE Training: https://the-neurodiversity-university.teachable.com/courses/interpreting-autism-assessment?affcode=1040140_j73bfi9v Join the newsletter: https://link.drtaycoaching.com/widget/form/C0FJzAyo1tn0qbV0tsmE 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!e from At Health!edits you purchase from At Health! About Dr. Taylor Day Dr. Taylor Day is a licensed psychologist specializing in neuroaffirming care for autistic children and their families, including very early diagnosis and high-masking presentations. She has a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and is the founder and CEO of Dr. Tay Concierge Clinical Care and Dr. Tay Coaching. Her work integrates The Whole Family Approach , a framework she developed utilizing evidence-informed principles after seeing significant gaps in autism care. Dr. Tay’s passion for child psychology and her focus on autism are in many ways tied to her own personal experience growing up with a brother who was diagnosed at 23 months of age. Get in touch: Website: drtaylorday.com Podcast: drtaylorday.com/podcast Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/the.dr.tay  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

Click here to read the transcript In today’s episode, I speak with Dr. Krista Brittain about integrating family systems theory and therapeutic assessment into clinical practice. We explore how viewing children and adolescents within their broader systemic context moves clinicians beyond static diagnostic categories and into a deeper understanding of dynamic family interactions. Krista breaks down the four distinct family system prototypes introduced by Dr. Steve Finn: the Scapegoated Child, Sick Child, Orphan Child, and Solomon’s Child. Throughout our discussion, we examine how these prototypes help clinicians manage countertransference, navigate parent shame, and select tailored assessment tools, including consensus tasks and parent measures. Krista also shares a compelling clinical case illustrating how systemic therapeutic assessment can reframe client narratives, guide feedback, and unlock meaningful change for struggling families. Main Topics 01:29: Defining therapeutic assessment and the transactional model of child and parent development 07:52: The four family system prototypes in therapeutic assessment 11:37: Reframing narrative identity and mentalizing parents through testing data 25:59: Applying levels of feedback to dynamic family systems 33:29: Selecting assessment measures and intervention sessions for systemic evaluation 47:27: Comprehensive case study of a gifted, adopted adolescent navigating systemic shifts 01:04:23: Formulating clinical recommendations tailored to family prototypes Resources 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 Therapeutic Assessment Institute: www.therapeuticassessment.com Society for Personality Assessment: www.personality.org  BASC-3 Parent Relationship Questionnaire: www.pearsonassessments.com Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory: www.upress.umn.edu/mmpi  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!“TTP10” for a discount on ALL the course credits you purchase from At Health!edits you purchase from At Health! About Dr. Krista Brittain Krista Brittain is a psychologist in private practice in the Des Moines, Iowa metro area. She uses a Therapeutic Assessment (TA) approach and is certified in TA with children and adults. Dr. Brittain has a passion for working with neurodivergent individuals as well as neurodiverse families and organizations to create neurodiversity-affirming care and community. Get in touch: Website: www.kristabrittainpsyd.com Email: [email protected] 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