Skype Diagnosis With Tania Marshall

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But all of this is to say that Tania Marshall did make it clear to me that she was providing an "impressions diagnosis," which may be useful in the future in some settings but not in all.

It has proven useful to my family doctor (who prescribes me meds for depression, anxiety and ADD issues) and to my counselor (who I do talk therapy and neurofeedback/brain training with), and possibly might be useful in the context of getting educational accommodations if I were to go back to school again, however, I highly doubt it would be very useful for someone who is seeking to get disability payments, etc.

Mostly though it is reassurance for me. No matter how many books I read, how many tests I took, etc. I would never feel secure in my diagnosis without having a professional confirm my own self-awareness. This awareness has made me feel better about myself.

It isn't for everyone and every situation but I do personally hope that other practitioners join her in providing affordable services online. This kind of service will never fully replace in-person diagnostic work but I think it can fill an important gap.

I contacted Tania's office in February about an evaluation but due to scheduling (I think the daylight savings time is confusing to people in that area) and technical issues, my evaluation had to be rescheduled and still has not happened. I am also not sure the technical issues have been resolved. From what I read here, I think it will definitely be beneficial for me but if you are not sure, just know that the appointment may require considerable flexibility.

Slightly off topic:

Does testing and evaluation by psychiatrist really cost a lot of money? Personally I won't go for the Skype stuff. I'd need a proper sit-down. What does it normally run (in US)?

I've never received a firm quote from any of the practitioners I contacted locally (and left feeling very uncertain as to whether they could even do a proper evaluation, sometimes realizing that I was more informed on the issues from my layperson's reading than they were) but have heard reports from other locales of prices ranging from $3-5k.

Whaaat? Get outa here.

I mean if you told me that it's how much an imaging job costs I'd believe you.

My understanding was that this was for multiple sessions, interviews with parents and/or significant others and testing. It is easy for that to pile up at $120-200/hour.

Already diagnosed, but I'd like to talk to her.

Yep, it can get very pricey in the US. Different insurances have different policies on what they will cover towards an adult diagnosis as well. The insurance I had at the time covered. $0.00. When I got the quote for mine it was $1700.00 which is on the pretty low end of the spectrum of what a US adult diagnosis can cost. They average at about $3000.00. $5000.00 is not unheard of but it's on the high side. That is why so many adults don't bother. Many insurances won't help and the services offered to adults in the US are so limited that many of them just can't justify the cost of getting a diagnosis. Many of them are simply not able to come up with that kind of money. I think that what Tania is doing is great. Not everyone needs a formal diagnosis and if what Tania is doing can give someone answers and peace of mind at a price that she can afford, than I say that is awesome.

I'm in the process of getting an "official on paper" diagnosis at the moment after knowing that I'm autistic and getting an informal "not on a piece of paper" diagnosis by a neurologist (it was free part of a research study that I started but was ultimately disqualified for because of other issues but they were certain I was autistic). And yes, the prices are at 200 a session (in my case), and I have 3 sessions so far, but it's covered for me. However, I've got a lot going into this to indicate AS & have made that very clear..and they are MDs and all that jazz, but they were like- look if you just need a piece of paper we can do that for you- and maybe talk about long-term therapy in the future- which is exactly what I'm looking for/at. But that only makes mine at 600 so far I could see how 3k happens though, I was quoted that at a different place that said they took no insurance but were much more vigorous in the testing it seemed.

Yep... that's pretty much how it is.
I feel like I got lucky and my insurance is good and covers a lot of it/most of it for right now at least >___< if they decide to stop coverage or whatever or I change jobs LOL I'm screwed

Damn shame I didn't find out earlier. Two years ago I would have paid next to nothing on that, as I had a tiny deductible and a low flat rate copay.

Actually, it would have been best if I was diagnosed in my childhood, before my life got all f#@&ed. Where my parents were looking I do not know.

Last edited by r00tb33r on 03 Jun 2016, 9:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Early on In this process- I said that over and over to myself and was really angry, but I think you learn to understand them and their reasons eventually- depending on circumstances that may or may not be "forgivable" to you, but you cope eventually I think.

$2,000 cash. We paid cash (not check or credit card) to move the appointment up from 4 months to two weeks due to a court date.

The guy we saw was the best in our state, and his diagnosis is almost bullet proof. Meaning no one b*****s the testing was done wrong, or he isn't qualified.

There were cheaper testers around, but they did not do gold standard testing. We could not afford to have some schlumb botch the testing or find out his diagnosing skills are a joke.

We live in the Midwest. Testing is more expensive on the coasts.

What we got for the $2K.

2 hour initial intake.

4 hours of testing over two days.

1 hour for going over testing results.

Typed out report with notarized copies (we did need those). That is $300/hr face to face time, and that included writing out the report and number crunching data.

And our insurance paid SQUAT.

What Tania does is great for personal use. There is a practitioner around us, who is similar to what Tania does. It is utterly worthless for anything official. The school system only looks at PhD or MD diagnosising. Our distinct has had those diagnosis tossed during SPED meetings. It can't be used for SSDI filings (not valid) or job related stuff because he only has a social work degree. (has a MA in psychology and a MSW).

Our attorney said even though the price was terrific ($500), we would have to look for a PhD in psychology anyway.

Now if that guy worked under a PhD's license, the testing would be considered valid because of supposed over sight of the clinical psychologist. But he works alone, so nothing is considered "officially" valid.

I think it is obscene that you need $3K+ for a diagnosis, and no insurance will pay for after 5, 13, or 18 years old. Some insurances will cut off after a kid hits 5. Some at 13. Almost all around here will not pay after 18.

I think it all depends on your purposes.

If you need a diagnosis to get disability or something along those lines, pay the big bucks and ideally get a team of folks to do the diagnosis.

If you are like me, and want confirmation of your own beliefs but also want to give my counselor at the time (who didn't feel experienced enough to do diagnosis) the best information possible, then working with Tania works great.

And if you need it in an higher education context (to seek reasonable accommodations, etc.), then getting a diagnosis from Tania might work as well, as most colleges will err on the side of accommodation so as to avoid litigation. But there's no guarantees. That said for a broke independent college or graduate student, $400 is a lot easier to come up with than $2000.