Psychological Evaluations
and
Educational Testing

in
Northern Virginia

Committed to Providing Top-notch Psychological Testing and Evidence-based Psychotherapy

Offering a personalized approach to consultation, psychological evaluations, psycho-educational assessments, and psychotherapy

Extensive experience working effectively with children, adolescents, and adults

Located in Alexandria, Virginia, the office is easily accessible for clients in Maryland and Washington, D.C

Evaluations for Learning and Attention Issues

A group of five friends smiling and reaching down towards the camera, taken from a low angle against a clear blue sky.

Expertise in psychological testing for:

  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and other issues related to executive functioning

  • Dyslexia / reading disability

  • Written language learning disorder, dysgraphia

  • Dyscalculia (learning disability in math)

  • Social-emotional concerns, such as mood and social skills

With ADHD testing and evaluations for dyslexia and other learning disabilities tailored to each individual’s needs, we can gain valuable information about the way a person:

  • Processes information

  • Solves problems

  • Learns material, and

  • Thinks about oneself and others.

Helping clients achieve

a clearer understanding of

ways to tackle obstacles and

reach their full potential.

Group of children lying on the grass in a park, smiling and having fun.

Learn more about…

  • Trouble paying attention? Not getting work done? Feeling disorganized?

    Learn more...

  • Reading slowly? Poor handwriting? Trouble solving math problems?

    Learn more…

  • Entering private school? Looking into advanced academic programs?

    Learn more…

  • Trouble managing emotions? Difficulty making friends? Getting angry easily?

    Learn more…

Featured News and Events
Support Groups for ADHD
Support Groups for ADHD

Individuals with ADHD and parents of children with ADHD can find both in-person and virtual peer support, education, and community

IEP Disability Categories
IEP Disability Categories

Special education disability categories are discussed in detail. Parents of children with dyslexia / reading disorder, written language disability, math learning disability, ADHD, autism, and other conditions can learn about the laws involved in special education.

For Parents of Children with Dyslexia
For Parents of Children with Dyslexia

Stories from parents of children dealing with dyslexia / reading disorder and written language issues.

Helping your child with ADHD unwind at night
Helping your child with ADHD unwind at night

Children and adults with ADHD often have a hard time settling down and falling asleep at night. A helpful list of possible strategies is provided.

Test preparation tips
Test preparation tips

For parents looking for ways to help their child prepare for tests, eight strategies that can address the various obstacles that affect test performance:

Special Education Law: State vs. Federal
Special Education Law: State vs. Federal

Detailed article describing the differences between federal law under IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) and state law in providing special education services. Some examples include how a person qualifies for a specific learning disorder and the types of educational programs offered.

Structured Literacy for Dyslexia
Structured Literacy for Dyslexia

A helpful infographic that explains the nature of effective intervention for dyslexia for children and adults.

Overcoming parental anxiety
Overcoming parental anxiety

Practical tips and cognitive-behavioral strategies for parents dealing with anxiety related to parenting their children

A Day in the Life of an Adult with ADHD
A Day in the Life of an Adult with ADHD

A simple explanation of some of the challenges adults with ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) can experience in a typical day at work

Tips from Students with Dyslexia
Tips from Students with Dyslexia

A list of insights gathered from students with dyslexia to fellow students with dyslexia on ways to navigate school successfully.

Identifying and Managing Depression in Kids
Identifying and Managing Depression in Kids

Helpful information for parents / caregivers about the signs of mood disorders. Parents can also learn various ways to help if your child is exhibiting some of these characteristic signs of depression and other mood disorders

Webinar about Bipolar Disorder
Webinar about Bipolar Disorder

Informative webinar regarding the signs of bipolar disorder and effective treatment options. Also offers valuable information for individuals with bipolar disorder and their loved ones.

School Avoidance - Webinar
School Avoidance - Webinar

Learn about the potential role of anxiety and underlying ADHD in school avoidance

Resource for non-punitive parenting
Resource for non-punitive parenting

Parents of children who are displaying concerning behaviors may want to check out these resources, which include training opportunities for parents.

Parent Training
Parent Training

A free resource on parenting strategies based on research from the Yale Parenting Center and other sources. Step-by-step instructions and demonstrations are provided to help parents bring about positive behavior change and improve their relationship with their child.

Webinar on Anxiety
News and Events
Webinar on Anxiety
News and Events

Offering parents important information on how to help their young children and adolescents cope with situations that bring on anxiety. Parents can be an essential part of the process, as their children learn how to tackle anxiety and enjoy life.

News and Events
Support groups for Depression and Bipolar Disorder
Support groups for Depression and Bipolar Disorder

Free online support groups for adults dealing with depression and bipolar disorder. Groups are led by fellow peers, who are also managing a life with a mood disorder.

Warning from FDA regarding commonly prescribed drug for asthma and allergies
News and Events
Warning from FDA regarding commonly prescribed drug for asthma and allergies
News and Events
News and Events
Supporting Your Child with Anxiety and/or OCD
News and Events
Supporting Your Child with Anxiety and/or OCD
News and Events

Essential information for parents of children with OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), with articles designed to help you better understand OCD and learn about effective treatments and ways to support efforts to manage symptoms at home.

News and Events
Parent and Family Support Group for Dyslexia
News and Events
Parent and Family Support Group for Dyslexia
News and Events

Resource for the parents and family members of individuals with dyslexia and other learning disorders. Groups meet virtually every month.

News and Events
Coping with back-to-school anxiety
News and Events
Coping with back-to-school anxiety
News and Events

Evidence-based strategies are provided to parents of anxious children, so they can manage the back-to-school transition more smoothly.

News and Events
Adults with Dyslexia support group
News and Events
Adults with Dyslexia support group
News and Events

Learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia, can make everyday activities stressful for many adults. Here is a resource for adults with dyslexia seeking support through virtual group meetings.

News and Events
Guidance from the APA on Social Media Use in Adolescence
News and Events
Guidance from the APA on Social Media Use in Adolescence
News and Events

An advisory on the potential beneficial and harmful effects of social media use on adolescents' development. In addition, specific recommendations are offered, based on the scientific evidence to date.

News and Events
PTSD Support Group
News and Events
PTSD Support Group
News and Events

PTSD, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, involves cognitive, emotional, and physical symptoms that can be difficult to manage. Here is a peer-to-peer support group for individuals dealing with PTSD.

News and Events
Webinar about ADHD for students and parents
News and Events
Webinar about ADHD for students and parents
News and Events

Understand the relationship between emotional regulation and executive functions and the various ways in which emotional dysregulation can impair teen socialization. Evidence-based interventions that have been shown to help struggling teens are also discussed

News and Events
Research opportunity for individuals / families with autism
News and Events
Research opportunity for individuals / families with autism
News and Events

SPARK for Autism, a genetic study of autism with the participation of medical schools and autism research centers across the U.S., is looking for individuals and family members to participate in their study.

News and Events
Early Signs of Reading Issues
News and Events
Early Signs of Reading Issues
News and Events

Reading and written language disorders can make school and everyday activities very challenging for students. Find out how to identify and address reading issues in your child. 

News and Events
Your Child's Rights in the IEP Process
News and Events
Your Child's Rights in the IEP Process
News and Events

A helpful explainer about learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia.  The IEP (Individualized Education Program) process as well as the parts of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) are also briefly reviewed.

News and Events
Private Testing for Dyslexia
News and Events
Private Testing for Dyslexia
News and Events

Learning disability evaluations can help you figure out the reasons your child is struggling with reading, writing, or math. Find out whether a private evaluation for dyslexia and other learning disorders may be a good idea for your child.

News and Events
Overseeing your Child's IEP or 504 Plan
News and Events
Overseeing your Child's IEP or 504 Plan
News and Events

A helpful guide for parents of children with an IEP or 504 Plan at school, with a detailed checklist of information and tasks parents of children with learning difficulties may consider. Parents can think about the level and type of service offered to their child as well as accommodations that are in place or may be important to add to the IEP / 504 Plan.

News and Events

Christina Ralph, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist in Northern Virginia. She offers psycho-educational assessments and psycho-diagnostic evaluations for children, adolescents, and adults, and she specializes in testing for learning disorders (such as dyslexia), ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), social skills issues (such as autism), and emotional-behavioral concerns. Located in Alexandria, Virginia, the office is easily accessible from surrounding areas of Fairfax County, Arlington, Springfield, Falls Church, Great Falls, Washington, DC, and Maryland.