When anxious thoughts and overwhelming feelings disrupt daily life, psychological testing can help clarify what’s really going on—and lead you to the right support.
Anxiety affects more than just your mood. It can shape your decisions, limit your experiences, and make everyday responsibilities feel like insurmountable tasks. You may be wondering whether what you’re feeling is “normal,” or if something deeper is happening beneath the surface. That’s where psychological testing for anxiety becomes an important and empowering first step.
At Dr. Messina & Associates in Southlake, we provide thorough, individualized psychological assessments to help people of all ages understand what they’re experiencing—and why. Our evaluations go far beyond a checklist of symptoms. We get to the root of what’s driving your worry, restlessness, or panic, so we can recommend the most effective path forward.
Whether you’re seeking clarity for yourself or your child, psychological testing offers a structured, evidence-based way to move from confusion to confidence.
Why Choose Psychological Testing for Anxiety?
Anxiety can take many forms. Some people live with a constant sense of dread. Others experience racing thoughts, difficulty concentrating, or physical symptoms like heart palpitations and shortness of breath. Some avoid social situations or certain places because of fear or embarrassment. For children, anxiety might show up as stomachaches, school refusal, irritability, or sleep issues.
Without proper evaluation, anxiety can be misunderstood—or missed altogether. It may be mistaken for ADHD, behavioral issues, or even personality differences. That’s why psychological testing matters: it allows us to identify not just that anxiety is present, but what type, how it’s impacting your life, and how best to treat it.
What Our Anxiety Evaluations Include
At Dr. Messina & Associates, psychological testing is never rushed or one-size-fits-all. We tailor every evaluation to the individual, whether we’re working with a first-grade student, a high school teen, or an adult navigating work or family stress.
Our anxiety assessments typically include:
- Clinical Interviews: We gather detailed background information on emotional, academic, social, and behavioral patterns. For children, this may involve parents and teachers as well.
- Standardized Rating Scales: These scientifically validated tools measure anxiety symptoms and their severity, helping us compare experiences against normative data.
- Cognitive and Behavioral Assessments: In some cases, we explore attention, memory, and executive functioning to rule out co-occurring conditions like ADHD or learning differences.
- Emotional Functioning Measures: We assess mood, coping mechanisms, and stress tolerance to get a holistic view of how anxiety is affecting day-to-day life.
- Comprehensive Report & Feedback Session: We provide clear, understandable results, along with written documentation and detailed recommendations for next steps.
Our goal is not just diagnosis—it’s understanding. We want you to walk away with clarity and confidence about what’s happening and how to move forward.
Who Should Consider Anxiety Testing?
Psychological testing for anxiety is helpful for a wide range of individuals:
- Children who struggle with separation anxiety, school-related fears, or difficulty with transitions
- Teens dealing with social anxiety, academic pressure, or panic attacks
- College students facing adjustment issues, test anxiety, or obsessive thinking
- Adults who experience chronic worry, irritability, or physical symptoms without a clear cause
- Parents unsure if their child’s behaviors stem from anxiety, ADHD, or something else
- Professionals seeking documentation for workplace accommodations or treatment planning
If anxiety is interfering with relationships, school, work, or general peace of mind, an evaluation can be the foundation for lasting support.
Anxiety and Co-Occurring Conditions
One of the benefits of formal testing is that it helps distinguish anxiety from other conditions with overlapping symptoms. For example:
- A child with anxiety might appear inattentive or restless, which could be mistaken for ADHD
- A teen withdrawing from friends could be dealing with anxiety or early signs of depression
- An adult with obsessive thoughts may wonder if they have OCD or general anxiety disorder
Psychological testing allows us to explore the full picture. Many people experience more than one condition at the same time—such as anxiety and depression, or anxiety and executive functioning challenges. Understanding how these pieces fit together allows us to build more targeted, effective treatment plans.
What Happens After Testing?
Once your testing is complete, we schedule a personalized feedback session. During this time, we walk you through the results, answer questions, and provide a clear set of recommendations. These may include:
- Therapy referrals, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or other evidence-based approaches
- Support plans for school, including academic accommodations or 504 Plan documentation
- Parent coaching for helping children manage anxiety at home
- Behavioral strategies for managing stress in daily life
- Medical referrals if medication might be helpful as part of a larger treatment plan
Most importantly, we stay available to guide you through the next steps. Our team is here to support your journey—not just your paperwork.
Why Choose Dr. Messina & Associates?
We’re not just testing for symptoms. We’re looking at people—real individuals with unique stories, challenges, and strengths. Our practice is built around compassion, professionalism, and a commitment to helping clients make sense of what they’re experiencing in a way that leads to relief and growth.
Located in Southlake and serving families across Texas, we provide:
- Licensed psychologists with expertise in anxiety-related assessments
- Age-appropriate, research-based testing tools
- Clear, easy-to-understand feedback for parents, teens, and adults
- A supportive environment where no question is too small, and no concern is dismissed
Get the Clarity That Leads to Healing
If you or your child is struggling with worry, tension, panic, or fear—don’t guess at the cause. Psychological testing for anxiety gives you a roadmap. It takes the confusion out of the equation and offers answers you can act on.
When you’re ready to better understand anxiety—and finally do something about it—we’re here to help.
For more support, contact Dr. Messina & Associates to schedule a confidential consultation in Southlake or virtually across Texas. You don’t have to face anxiety alone—and you don’t have to wonder what’s really going on. Let’s get clear, together.
