A Therapeutic Approach to Psychological Assessment

Dorian Crawford, PsyD earned a BA from Rhodes College, a MEd from Western Kentucky University and a MA and PsyD from William James College (formerly Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology). She is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in the state of Massachusetts.

 

Dorian started out her post-undergraduate life assuming she would attend law school. But, a position in a residential home for children with intense psychological needs opened her eyes to her true passion. In 1994, she started working with people in psychological distress and with mental health concerns. That interest blossomed after receiving her first Masters degree and becoming licensed as a mental health counselor. From there, Dorian pursued various opportunities in the mental health and human services fields. She has worked in a range of settings including inpatient, outpatient, medical offices, and residential milieu providing her with a broad exposure to the diverse experiences of those with mental health issues. She also has worked with people throughout the lifespan, children through adults.

 

Prior to returning to graduate school for her doctorate in 2009, she worked as a therapist and clinical consultant in a variety of agencies serving individuals with developmental and cognitive disabilities. However, she found that her focus on helping those with significant needs, particularly around assessment, would require a more advanced degree. As a doctoral candidate, Dorian worked in the Cambridge Court Clinic, Juvenile Court Clinic and at North Shore Medical Center. While focusing on training in Neuropsychological Assessment at MassGeneral for Children, Neurodevelopmental Center, Dorian was able to realize her full fervor for testing and assessment. After that experience, she pursued a Postdoctoral Fellowship in neuropsychological assessment and testing. Ultimately, training led to the decision to go into private practice in neuropsychological testing and assessment.

 

In addition to consulting regularly, previous experiences of supervising mental health students and working for a decade as an Adjunct Professor at William James College, teaching a core course on consultation, collaboration and community partnerships, inform her clinical perspective.

 

Almost three decades of experience working in the mental health field forms the foundation of clinical expertise Dorian uses to offer the most comprehensive and clinically informed assessments possible.  Her background and years of practice mean she sees clients as people first, not just a set of data points. Everyone has a unique and profound story to tell, and her hope is that neuropsychological testing can help clarify and identify areas of strength and challenge.

 

Her clinical interests include neuropsychological testing, disabilities and assessment, and specialized consultation on high-risk behaviors.

 

On a personal note, Dorian is a world traveler who spent many years as a child living and studying abroad, where she learned to appreciate diverse cultures, foods, and world views. She has settled in New England with her husband, daughter, and 2 dogs.