Assessment, Learning Evaluation, & Counseling Center (ALEC)

Mental Health Counseling

We offer individual, couple, and family counseling to FSU students, children (ages 12+), and adults in the community. Our practitioners can help you enhance your psychological well-being, achieve personal growth, and overcome inner turmoil in a supportive and confidential environment. The ALEC Center offers support and treatment for a wide range of emotional, psychological, and behavioral issues; common issues addressed at ALEC include depression, anxiety, stress management, motivation, self–esteem, anger management, conflict management, relationship issues, and adjusting to changes/challenges.

Counseling sessions occur once per week for 50 minutes.

Psychoeducational Evaluations

Our psychoeducational evaluations include a series of academic and cognitive processing assessments to determine patterns of strengths and weaknesses that help explain one’s academic performance, determine the presence of a learning disorder, and provide appropriate recommendations.

We offer four types of psychoeducation evaluations:

• ADHD Evaluations
• Learning Disorder (LD) Evaluations
• Combined ADHD & LD Evaluations
• Intellectual Disability (ID) Evaluations

Learning Disorder Evaluations:

The LD evaluation assesses the presence of one or more learning disorders, such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, etc. It involves a review of the client’s academic history, including past performance and behavior in school. Various self-report measures, clinical interviews, and cognitive abilities and educational skill assessments are administered. The results are then analyzed to develop a profile of the client’s strengths and weaknesses, leading to recommendations for interventions, support, and potentially a learning disorder diagnosis.

ADHD Evaluations:

The ADHD evaluation assesses for the presence of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that may be adversely affecting academic, occupational, and social functioning. It involves completing a variety of self-report measures, an extensive clinical interview, and a screening of cognitive abilities and educational skills. We also seek permission to send forms to two other raters (e.g., parent, significant other/roommate/close friend, spouse, teacher, or employer) at your discretion that ask them to rate you on common symptoms of ADHD.

Combined ADHD & LD Evaluations:

The Combined ADHD & LD Evaluation is our most comprehensive and typically takes 1.5-2 days to complete. Clients are assessed for symptoms of ADHD, as well as those of learning disorders, which are listed above. This evaluation involves components of both the ADHD evaluation and the LD evaluation, as described above.

Intellectual Disability (ID) Evaluations:     

The intellectual disability evaluation assesses a client’s intellectual and adaptive functioning to determine the presence of intellectual disability. A detailed personal and medical history is collected, including developmental milestones, educational background, and previous assessments or diagnoses. We also administer standardized cognitive assessments, such as IQ tests, to evaluate intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior assessments to measure skills in daily living, communication, and socialization. Timing and prices for ID evaluations may vary.

Other Mental Health Evaluations

The mental health evaluation serves to determine the presence of other mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, bipolar, and autism, that may be adversely affecting academic, occupational, and social functioning. This assessment includes a variety of self-report measures, an extensive clinical interview, and a screening of cognitive abilities and educational skills. 

ADHD Coaching

Clients will commit to 8 weekly, individualized sessions with an ADHD Coach to achieve their goals by developing skills and strategies to compensate for areas of functioning affected by ADHD.

If you are interested in an evaluation, please complete an Application for Services. Once we receive your application, you will be called to schedule a consultation with one of our staff members to determine if our services are appropriate for you.  You will have the opportunity to schedule your $25 intake session during that call. During the intake (virtual or in-person), you can schedule your evaluation if our staff concludes that we can meet your needs.

For evaluation of Learning Disorder:

A confirmation notice of the day(s) and time of your evaluation will be emailed to you, which will include a link to an online study-skills survey and information regarding other documents that you must bring on the day of your evaluation (e.g., copies of unofficial transcripts, test scores, previous psychoeducational reports). The evaluation is approximately 5 to 7 hours in length and will be scheduled for one full day or two half-days. All evaluations are conducted one-on-one in a private interview room at the Center.

For evaluation of ADHD:

A confirmation notice of the day(s) and time of your evaluation will be emailed to you, which will include a link to an online survey and information regarding other documents that you must bring on the day of your evaluation (e.g., copies of unofficial transcripts, test scores, previous psycho-educational reports).

During the evaluation, you will complete a variety of self-report measures. You will have an extensive interview and be given a screening of cognitive abilities and educational skills. Following your intake, we will also send out forms to two people of your choosing that know you well (e.g., parent, significant other/roommate/close friend, spouse, teacher, employer).

One of these raters will be asked to rate you on common symptoms of ADHD during childhood, and the other will be asked to rate you on your current symptoms.

The evaluation is approximately 5 hours long and is usually scheduled to be completed in 1 day.  All evaluations are conducted one-on-one in a private interview room at the Center. The combined ADHD & LD evaluation takes longer and is usually scheduled to be completed over two days.

For evaluation of Learning Disorder:

The evaluation will consist of assessments specifically developed to identify learning problems. The assessments were designed to pinpoint strengths and weaknesses in your ability to problem-solve novel tasks, answer questions related to basic reading, writing, and math skills, and process information. No preparation is needed for the evaluation except for bringing the requested documentation. It will be in your best interest to be physically prepared for the evaluation: get a good night’s sleep, eat breakfast and lunch, etc. Breaks will be provided during the evaluation, including a lunch break if you are tested in one day. Also, please note that it is in your best interest to put forth your best effort during the evaluation.  A learning disorder diagnosis is determined by a particular pattern of scores and not an overall deficit in performance.

For evaluation of ADHD:

No preparation is required for the testing other than gathering information to bring with you. Because a diagnosis of ADHD requires documentation of difficulties in childhood, it is important that you gather any relevant information, such as report cards, prior evaluations, or high school transcripts. If you are currently taking medication to treat ADHD symptoms, you should take your regular dose of this medication on the day of your assessment.

The results of your evaluation will typically be available within eight weeks after the evaluation date. Your evaluator will contact you to schedule a “feedback session,” during which you will receive your results. You will be provided with a copy of your report at that time.

The Assessment, Learning Evaluation, and Counseling (ALEC) Center conducts research regarding the assessment of learning disorders and ADHD. We reserve the right to use data from your testing in research projects. No identifying information will be included, and your name will not be associated with this data. All research will utilize group information. Any questions or concerns should be directed towards Dr. Deborah Ebener. Her contact information is at the bottom of this page.

The code of ethics for psychologists and state laws protect your confidentiality. If you are over 17, your attendance or participation in the assessment is only released with your written permission. However, counselors and evaluators are legally required to disregard confidentiality in a very small number of cases. The limits to confidentiality include instances in which:

1. Information suggests imminent physical injury is probable by the client to themselves or others.
2. There is evidence or knowledge of abuse or neglect of an incompetent (this includes children under 18) or disabled person.
3. The client is a victim or defendant in a criminal prosecution case and the Court orders that records of notes and assessments be made available.

For your protection and the benefit of practitioners in training, all work done in the Center by students is closely supervised by licensed psychologists.  This supervision is provided through discussion of cases between supervisors and trainees, both individually and in small groups. Supervisors may also observe student trainees working with you by video monitoring or using a one-way mirror. Occasionally, graduate students in our training program may observe the assessment, coaching, and counseling sessions.

In cases where sessions are observed, please note that the supervisors are there to watch the trainee, not you. Additionally, in all instances of supervisory work, great care is taken to preserve confidentiality, as discussed above.

Full payment is due on the day of the services. We accept FSU’s University Health Insurance only for ADHD and LD services. We are not in-network with any other insurance companies. 

All payments to the ALEC are done through FSU Transact.  This system accepts all major credit cards and ACH (eCheck) payments. You will receive a payment link before your session. Cash is not accepted. 

The fee schedule is as follows:

**Please note that standardized tests such as the GRE, LSAT, MCAT, GMAT, etc., may require additional measures for students to be considered for accommodations. Such cases may result in additional evaluation time and cost. Please consult ALEC staff for specific information regarding these test batteries.

If you must reschedule, please do so at least 24 hours in advance. Persons who do not cancel within 24 hours of the appointment will be assessed a $50.00 fee and likely will not be rescheduled.

Failure to pay the fee will result in a hold on your academic record, preventing you from registering for classes, obtaining grades, receiving transcripts, etc.

If you are dissatisfied with any procedures, you may contact:

Dr. Deborah Ebener, Executive Director
(850) 644-1789
Email

Mailing Address:
Assessment, Learning Evaluation, & Counseling Center
2207 Stone Building
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL 32306-4464

Application for Services