Celebrate minds
of all kinds

Specializing in comprehensive assessment and holistic individual therapy for children, adolescents, and adults.

Welcome to Cultivating Divergence!

Our mission is to provide a comprehensive and personalized approach to support personal insight, growth, and wellness. Using a combination of in-depth diagnostic assessments, holistic therapy, and coaching techniques, we strive to uncover and leverage each client’s unique strengths and abilities.

Whether you’re seeking support for daily living, developmental needs, or overall wellbeing, our experienced professionals is here to guide you on your journey toward holistic wellness and provide the support you need to thrive. Explore our range of services and discover how we can help you unlock the power within you to live a fulfilling and meaningful life.

Our Specializations

Affirming Services

We understand that assessments can entail sharing sensitive and vulnerable information. We therefore prioritize creating a nonjudgmental, supportive space that is unique and validating for each of our clients. This includes:

Sensory Considerations

We are mindful of sensory sensitivities or preferences that you may experience. We provide options to accommodate sensory needs during the assessment process, such as adjusted lighting, stimming/fidget toys, noise levels, and a scent-free environment.

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Flexibility and Accommodation

Our assessment process allows for flexibility and accommodating strategies to support your unique needs. This could include offering breaks, shorter testing sessions, adjusting the format of the assessment, allowing for additional time, or using alternative communication methods.

BIPOC

As a second generation, Chinese-American psychologist, Dr. Yu understands the importance of the unique cultural influences on identity. Her assessment procedures strive to create an environment that values and respects the cultural background and acculturation of the individual.

LGBTQIA2S

Our services prioritize creating an affirming environment for individuals who identify as LGBTQIA2S. We recognize the diversity and fluidity of gender identities and respect each individuals’ self-discovery and self-expression and use respectful and affirming language to accurately reflect and respect individuals’ self-identified gender and orientations.

Neurodivergent Affirming

We aims to create a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment that respects and affirms the neurodivergent individual’s identity, experiences, and capabilities. By considering the individual holistically and valuing neurodiversity, this type of assessment offers a more inclusive and accurate understanding of the individual’s strengths, challenges, and support needs.

It takes a touch of genius — and a lot of courage — to move in the opposite direction.

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With The Right Support, You Can

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Alleviate Stress and Anxiety

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a therapeutic assessment?

Therapeutic assessment is a client-centered, collaborative approach combines elements of psychological assessment and therapy. It aims to not only gather information about your psychological functioning but also provides recommendations for therapeutic change and growth.

How does therapeutic assessment differ from traditional psychological assessment?

Therapeutic assessment differs in that it focuses on strengths and the therapeutic relationship between the client and the assessor. The assessment process becomes an opportunity for exploration, insight, and change, rather than solely information gathering.

What can therapeutic assessment help with?

Therapeutic assessment can help individuals gain a clearer understanding of their difficulties, develop insight into patterns and behaviors, establish goals for therapy, and facilitate growth and change.

How is a therapeutic assessment conducted?

Therapeutic assessment typically involves a series of interviews and assessments, which includes in-person/self-paced/virtual psychological tests, questionnaires, or other tools. The assessor works collaboratively with the client to develop a shared understanding of the assessment questions and goals. After testing is complete, the psychologist writes a report detailing the diagnosis, results and recommendations of the assessment. Please see “What to Expect” page for more details.

Can therapeutic assessment be used for children or adolescents?

Yes, therapeutic assessment can be adapted for children and adolescents. Many times, children’s behavior is a form of communication, which can be better understood through assessing through multiple settings (home, school, social). These assessments can provide recommendations for each setting that meets each child’s personal needs and differences, while highlighting their strengths. The focus will be adjusted to address age-appropriate concerns and use assessment tools relevant to their developmental stages.

Is therapeutic assessment confidential?

Yes, like traditional psychological assessments, therapeutic assessment is confidential. Information shared during the assessment process is protected by ethical guidelines and confidentiality standards.

How long does a therapeutic assessment usually take?

The duration of a therapeutic assessment can vary depending on the complexity of the individual’s needs and goals. It may take several sessions over the course of a few weeks or months. Client participation for clinical interview and testing can range from 7-12 hours. Scoring, interpretation, and report writing completed by the psychologist can r

What are the benefits of therapeutic assessment?

Some benefits of therapeutic assessment include gaining self-understanding, discovering new insights, setting therapeutic goals, and enhancing the therapeutic relationship. It provides a collaborative and personalized approach to assessment and therapy.

How do I prepare for a therapeutic assessment?

It is helpful to come prepared with a willingness to participate and be open to self-reflection. You may want to consider your goals for therapy or any specific issues you would like to address during the assessment process.

What kind of assessments are there?

Assessments utilized can consist of intelligence, cognitive, executive functioning/neuropsychological, sensory, social, behavioral, and personality assessments. The battery type and length depends on the questions and goals of each client.

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Contact Us

If you have any questions or would like some more information about our services, please contact us today.

info@cultivatingdivergence.com

(510) 224-9924