Overall, psychological evaluations are a part of "holistic" treatment, where the whole person is treated, not just the injured part. Research has repeatedly shown that factors outside the injury itself can have a significant bearing on whether or not patients get better and return to work. Specific reasons for referral for psychological evaluation in worker’s compensation cases include:

• Assess pre-surgical readiness

• Support worker’s compensation and disability evaluations

• Assess medical patients at high risk for depression, anxiety and psychological distress
• Tailor a treatment plan and design patient communications that will work best for an individual patient

• Use objective psychological test data to support or challenge subjective clinical findings/impressions

• Evaluate treatment effectiveness and monitor clinical outcomes

WHO SHOULD BE REFERRED FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION?

• Patients with delayed recovery.

• Patients with chronic pain or recurrent painful conditions.

• Patients with suspected concomitant closed head injury.

• Preoperative evaluations are useful to identify psychosocial factors that may significantly affect treatment outcome.

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

• Licensed Psychologist-Master in Vermont since 2003.

• I have performed hundreds of psychological evaluations

as a licensed psychologist-master.

• Former Coordinator of Psychological Testing at Scripps Clinic in San Diego, CA.

• Specializing in working with chronic pain patients since 1999. More recently, I have developed and administrated interdisciplinary rehabilitation programs at Fletcher Allen Health Care in Williston, VT and with Injury and Health Management Solutions in Colchester, VT.

• Experienced in meeting the needs and expectations of injured workers, treating physicians, employers, and insurers.

• Uniquely trained with a doctoral degree in Health Psychology, which emphasizes effective collaboration with multidisciplinary professionals from other disciplines in order to provide comprehensive and coordinated assessment and treatment of ill or injured patients.

• Assessment and treatment based on the biopsychosocial model, which recognizes of the interaction of biological, social and psychological factors in health. Research overwhelmingly supports the use of a biopsychosocial approach in assessment and treatment planning of persons with chronic pain or illness.

To request a referral or for more information, please call Dr. Jepson at

(802) 310-7763 or use the form on the REFERRALS page.