Resources
Prior to your appointment
Below are downloadable PDF files that you may need to print and bring with to your first appointment or sign and scan back to Dr. Ladhani. Please review any information that has been provided to you about your appointment and make sure that your bring all required information. If for any reason you cannot make your appointment or need to reschedule please reach out to Dr. Ladhani or your referral source to avoid any cancellations fees.
Preparing for your exam
Dr. Ladhani understands that coming to a psychologist to have an assesment can create some questions and the below are some things to consider to help you prepare for your exam.
Prior to the exam:
- Consider writing some notes a few days prior to the exam to help you articulate any symptoms you may be feeling.
- Know your work history to include length of time at each job as well as types of jobs. Consider bringing a resume or a typed list with this information. Recall times when you may have been written up for your work or fired. Many people say they were laid off when they were fired and this is important in this type of exam.
- Bring all necessary records but not all records-a psychologist mainly needs those notes that pertain to your mental health unless you have a physical health condition such as chronic pain that impacts your mental health. Be sure to ask prior to your exam.
- Take note of your day to day activities and any difficulties in completing tasks. Do you have trouble focusing, do you forget things and there things you avoid doing? Do you socialize and what do you do for fun?
On the day of the exam:
- Get enough sleep
- Arrive on time
- Eat a healthy meal
- Bring any records now yet reviewed and completed forms as requested
- Bring your ID
During the exam:
- Consider bringing someone with you. They may not be able to be allowed in the exam room but it may be nice to have a supportive person with you to drive you there and take you home after for support.
- Be respectful and open-it may be hard to tell someone that you don’t know well about your mental health but it’s important to be honest and open for the examiner to get the whole picture about mental health symptoms that may or may not be relevant to your case.
- Manage difficult feelings. It is not unusual to find yourself having emotional reactions to the questions being asked. As much as possible try to manage your feelings in order to be best able to answer the questions being asked.
After the exam:
- Your full exam may not be ready for 1-2 weeks after the initial exam especially if you gave consent to the examiners to speak with others on your behalf.
- Your exam will be released to the institution or attorney that has requested the assessment. Exams are not released directly to the patient to avoid misinterpretations of the information in the report.
- You may or may not be happy with the results of the exam. Consultative reports are designed to answer a specific question about the individual in question. Psychologists are bound by the American Psychological Association code of ethics to respond to each assessment request using all available data inclusive of your medical records, clinical interview and collateral interviews. They are designed to be as objective as is possible within a reasonable degree of clinical probability. A psychologist’s exam is not to be biased towards the individual or institution that they were hired by.
Psychology Resources
I have included a few helpful links to understand more about Pain Psychology and Consultative Psychological Exams.
Pain Psychology
Managing Chronic Pain: How Psychologists can help with Pain Management
The Role of Psychology in Pain Management
How a Pain Psychologist Could Benefit You
Psychological Assessment
Dr. Ladhani Speaking Engagements
Ladhani, S. (2020). Finding Balance During Crisis:Tools from a Pain Psychologist. Invited presentation for the US Pain Foundation.
Ladhani, S. (2020). Kids, COVID & Chronic Pain: Q & A with a Pain Psychologist. Invited Presentation for the US Pain Foundation.
Ladhani, S. (2019). It’s Such a Pain in the Brain; Pain Psychology and the Brains role in managing pain. Invited Presentation at the Pediatric Pain Warriors Retreat; Gurnee, IL.
Ladhani, S. The Road to Happiness (Presentation to South Asian Elder community), Being a Good Friend; Relationship Building, Stress Management and the Importance of Therapy, Change Your Life by Changing Your Mind, Being “Me” is Enough (Substance Abuse Teen Presentation), Suicide Risk Assessment for Teachers, Getting the Relationship You Desire (Couples Presentation). Multiple invited presentations given to the South Asian Milwaukee and Chicago Ismaili community. (2007 – Present)
Ladhani, S., McMiller, B., Thomas, L., Torres, K., & Wells, S. (2011, February). The Role of the Psychologist on the Primary Healthcare Team in Multicultural Communities. Illinois Psychological Association, Chicago, Illinois
Ladhani, S. (2009, April) Increasing Your Diversity Awareness. Waukesha County Technical College. Pewaukee, WI.
Ladhani, S. (2009, March) Mind Body Wellness. Kenosha Gateway Community College. Kenosha, WI
Ladhani, S. (2007). Building the Mosaic: Addressing South Asian Mental Health Needs through Community Collaborations. CE Workshop presented at the 2007 Asian American Psychological Association in San Francisco, California.
Get In Touch
Call
(847)-920-6160
shaminladhanipsyd@gmail.com
Address
555 Skokie Blvd, Suite #500 Northbrook, IL 60062
Hours
By appointment only