Vocational Assessment and Counseling

at the Psychological Services Center

What is vocational testing?

Our assessment and counseling services include the measurement of important aspects of our clients’ work personalities.  In their meetings with counselors, clients discuss the compatibility of their work personalities with various occupational fields and work environments.
Testing includes measurement of:

• Abilities, such as verbal, numerical, clerical, and spatial
• Values related to work environments, such as autonomy, status, altruism, and security
• Interests such as technical, scientific, artistic, and enterprising
• Personality traits relevant to work, such as interpersonal style, achievement style, independence, and flexibility.

Predictions of likely success and likely satisfaction in representative occupations are discussed based on test results and in-session discussion. In addition to test scores, clients often find it useful to talk with their counselor about how various career options fit with their overall lifestyle and life goals.

What services are provided?

The Psychological Services Center (PSC) provides comprehensive vocational testing and short-term career counseling for individuals who want to learn more about their career potential. Through discussion and a review of test results, clients are helped to:

• Articulate and clarify vocational goals
• Increase knowledge and understanding of their work personalities
• Gain knowledge of the kinds of work environments that are likely to be most satisfying
• Evaluate career and educational options
• Navigate challenging relationships in the work environment
• Learn a process that can help them make satisfying career choices both in the short-term and future

Who benefits from career assessment and counseling?

The vocational assessment and counseling services offered at PSC are designed for individuals who are looking for some direction as they negotiate the career decision-making process.  You may find our services useful if you are:

• Experiencing difficulty identifying an educational or career path that would fit best for you.
• Planning your initial entry into the work force.
• Experiencing dissatisfaction in your current job and want to see if there is a more suitable position for you.
• Unsure whether or not you want to change jobs and would like some guidance in evaluating your alternatives.
• Wondering how you might enhance your current position to make it more satisfying.
• Re-entering the workforce after some time away.
• Considering returning to school for additional training and want to choose an educational path that is a good fit for you.

Our 5-session program includes:

• a one-hour individual orientation session
• a comprehensive battery of vocational tests
• four one-hour individual sessions to review your test results and discuss your career options
• a written integrative summary of your assessment results

Sessions with your counselor focus on exploring, understanding, and integrating your assessment information.  This process is a cooperative effort between you and your counselor that is guided by your specific goals.
The 5-session program typically is completed within seven to eight weeks from the initial orientation session.  The fee for the program ranges from $200-$850, depending on your income and number of dependents.  Additional follow-up sessions beyond the standard program are available and also are based on a sliding fee scale.
Appointments may be arranged at your convenience, and typically occur between 8:00 am to 7:00 pm Monday through Friday.

Staff: The Psychological Services Center (PSC) is associated with the Department of Psychology at Colorado State University.  PSC is directed by Dr. Lee A. Rosén.  Vocational assessment and counseling is supervised by Dr. Bryan J. Dik.  Counselors are advanced graduate students with doctoral-level training in general psychotherapy, career counseling and vocational assessment.

Fees: The Psychological Services Center uses a sliding fee scale and clients pay in accordance with their gross annual family income and the number of dependents in their family.  The sliding fee for the 5-session vocational assessment and counseling program ranges from $200 to $850, with additional sessions beyond the five one-hour meetings also available at a sliding fee.

Eligibility: PSC provides vocational assessment and counseling services to the full spectrum of voluntary clients, including (but not limited to) self-referred individuals, referrals from other mental health professionals, clients of public and private community agencies, and employees of business and industrial organizations.