_Psychometrists_ are specifically trained to give and to evaluate psychological tests. They are, so to speak, the "radiologists" of the fields of counseling and psychotherapy. Clients may be referred to a psychometrist in order to take one or more psychological tests; the psychometrist's interpretation of the results is then forwarded to the client's therapist or counselor. Increasingly, psychologists are being trained to do much of this work themselves, so it has become less common to refer clients to psychometrists unless an extensive amount of testing is desired. If you are advised to take one or more psychological tests, you may be interested in knowing what to expect. Many psychological tests are multiple-choice. You are given a printed list of questions and an answer sheet. There are no "right" answers. You answer such questions as "Would you rather go to a party or stay home and read a good book?" Tests like this attempt to provide insight into a client's outlook, personality, concerns, values, and interests. Some tests help to assess concentration, coordination, and problem-solving ability. Results of psychological tests can be helpful to a counselor in deciding how best to treat a client's problems. Testing can be a great time- and money-saver in therapy: the results of a twenty-minute test can give a counselor information about a client that might otherwise be gained only through a number of sessions. FEES Because of their more advanced training, clinical psychologists can be expected to charge fees that are somewhat higher than what social workers in private practice receive. Charges for {44} the services of a clinical psychologist are made on an hourly basis; counseling sessions usually last forty-five to fifty minutes, although some psychologists will see clients for shorter periods. Rates vary considerably according to geographical area. An approximate range of $50 to $80 per private session is normal at this time. Group session rates tend to be significantly lower. If you consult a clinical or counseling psychologist who works through an agency, you will often find that a sliding scale is used to determine charges, as in social work. If you have limited or no health insurance, and financial concerns are a problem, you can telephone counseling agencies in your area to ask whether a sliding scale is used and, if so, what charges correspond to your monthly income. Later, we will look at how to locate counseling agencies, as well as professionals in private practice. Fees for psychological testing, whether through a psychologist or a psychometrist, are usually billed on the basis of the tests administered. To give some idea, many tests cost $15 to $20 for a psychologist to administer. This charge is passed on to the client. The test results can sometimes be reviewed during a counseling session so that no additional charge may be made for the evaluation of the results. DURATION OF TREATMENT