Description
What if the way we've been writing psychological reports is fundamentally missing the mark? In this thought-provoking discussion, Dr. Stephanie challenges the traditional "DNA" approach to assessment—focusing on Diagnosis, Numbers, and Accommodations—and introduces a more meaningful framework that truly captures the complexity of human experience.
Instead of the traditional DNA approach, Dr. Stephanie proposes focusing on:
- Experiences: Understanding transdiagnostic patterns across homeostatic, social, and emotional layers
- Expectations: Exploring core beliefs, values, and cultural contexts
- Exceptions: Identifying when problems aren't present and conditions under which clients thrive
- Experiments: Testing real-time interventions and observing dynamic trade-offs
Rather than viewing clients through static categories, this approach recognizes that we are "dynamic, strange webs of if-then signatures."
This isn't about abandoning diagnosis, numbers, or accommodations entirely—it's about putting them in their proper place while expanding our focus to capture the full richness of human experience.
Interview published 6/2025
CE Content Category: Testing/Assessment; Clinical
Target audience: Psychologists, mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, social workers, addiction counselors, nurses, case managers.
This CE course is designated as intermediate.
Conflict of interest or commercial support disclaimer: None to disclose
Format: Asynchronous, distance learning. Non-interactive. Recorded audio with transcript.
Do you have questions about this course? Please Contact Us and we'll be happy to help.
Author Bio
Stephanie Nelson
Dr. Stephanie Nelson is a pediatric neuropsychologist who specializes in complex differential diagnosis. She is board certified in both clinical neuropsychology and pediatric neuropsychology. Dr. Nelson earned her undergraduate degree from Williams College and her doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Vermont. She completed her internship and postdoctoral fellowship in pediatric neuropsychology at the University of Minnesota Medical Center. Dr. Nelson founded Skylight Neuropsychology in 2018, where she provides comprehensive neuropsychological assessments. In 2019, she founded The Peer Consult, where she provides consultation to psychologists and neuropsychologists who specialize in pediatric assessment.
Jeremy Sharp
Dr. Sharp is a licensed psychologist and Clinical Director at the Colorado Center for Assessment & Counseling, a private practice that he founded in 2009. Dr. Sharp earned his undergraduate degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina before getting his Master’s and PhD in Counseling Psychology from Colorado State University. These days, he specializes in psychological and neuropsychological evaluation with kids and adolescents.
As the host of the Testing Psychologist Podcast, Dr. Sharp provides private practice consulting for psychologists and other mental health professionals who want to start or grow psychological testing services in their practices. Dr. Sharp live in Fort Collins, Colorado with his wife (also a therapist) and two young kids.
CE Approvals
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It is At Health's understanding that these programs meet the criteria of an approved continuing education program for social work in Arkansas. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit.
It is At Health's understanding that these programs meet the criteria of an approved continuing education program for social workers, professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, master's level psychologists, licensed clinical psychotherapists, and alcohol and other drug abuse counselors in Kansas. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit.
It is At Health's understanding that these programs meet the criteria of an approved continuing education program for mental health practice and for social work in Nebraska. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit.
It is At Health's understanding that these programs meet the criteria of an approved continuing education program for psychologists, pastoral psychotherapists, clinical social workers, clinical mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, and alcohol and drug abuse counselors in New Hampshire. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit.
It is At Health's understanding that these programs meet the criteria of an approved continuing education program for social workers, professional counselors, marital and family therapists, and clinical pastoral therapists in Tennessee. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit.
Other jurisdictions may accept trainings offered by At Health, LLC for your continuing education requirements. Restrictions may apply. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit.”
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Page last modified or reviewed by athealth.com on Jul 14, 2025.
Learning Objectives
Based on the content of this course, I can:
- Identify and critically evaluate the limitations of overemphasizing diagnosis, numbers, and accommodations (DNA) in psychological assessment reports
- Apply the Four E's framework (Experiences, Expectations, Exceptions, and Experiments) to gather more personalized and meaningful assessment data
- Interpret cognitive test performance through a trade-offs lens, focusing on problem-solving strategies and contextual factors rather than fixed numerical scores
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