The Testing Psychologist Podcast

Dr. Jeremy Sharp: Licensed Psychologist & Private Practice Consultant
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19 snips
Nov 6, 2025 • 49min

536. Paying Well Without Sinking the Ship

Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. Today, I walk through four compensation models that work for testing and therapy practices –  percentage split (fee-for-service), salary + production bonus, salary + profit share, and flat hourly – plus when each model makes sense. I break down the math behind forecasting (capacity, reimbursement, payroll taxes, PTO, benefits), show where owners get into trouble (overpaying early, ignoring utilization, fuzzy admin time), and share a step-by-step rollout plan with transparency practices that improve retention and engagement. You’ll leave with clear guardrails to pay people well without sinking the ship. Main Topics Why compensation causes the most stress for owners and how it became confusing (00:00) Percentage split (fee-for-service): ranges, pros/cons, when it fits (02:23) Salary + production bonus: structure, turnover impact, transparency keys (04:24) Salary + profit share: culture/retention upside and owner transparency (06:51) Flat hourly per billed hour: predictability vs. reimbursement risk (09:18) Forecasting the math: eval capacity → revenue → sustainable pay (11:40) Aligning pay with values: quality, timeliness, client satisfaction (16:30) Pitfalls and guardrails: utilization, admin caps, COL raises, communication cadence (18:55) Cool Things Mentioned The Testing Psychologist mastermind groups and business consulting Reverb: the premier AI-powered report-writing platform for testing psychologists APA Work in America Report (context on workplace stress): www.apa.org/pubs/reports/work-in-america/2024/2024-work-in-america-report.pdf [American Psychological Association] BLS Occupational Outlook—Psychologists (national wage benchmarks): www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists.htm [Bureau of Labor Statistics] BLS Occupational Employment & Wages—May 2024 (wage tables): www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/ocwage.pdf [Bureau of Labor Statistics] Pay transparency and business outcomes (SHRM research summary): www.shrm.org/topics-tools/news/inclusion-diversity/shrm-research-pay-transparency-improves-business-outcomes-close-wage-gap [SHRM] Profit sharing & retention (PayScale brief): www.payscale.com/compensation-trends/new-research-finds-profit-sharing-increases-employee-retention-and-engagement [Payscale] WorldatWork Pay Transparency Study (policy approaches): worldatwork.org/research/pay-transparency-study [WorldatWork] Featured Resources I am honored to partner with two AMAZING companies to help improve your testing practice! PAR is a long time supporter of the Testing Psychologist podcast, and I will continue to bring you featured items from their catalog! Listen to each episode for specific product recommendations and links. Learn more at www.parinc.com. TherapyNotes is the leading EHR system for mental health practitioners. I’ve used TherapyNotes for over 10 years, and it just keeps getting better. Use this link and the promo code “testing” to get two free months and try it for yourself! www.therapynotes.com/testing The Testing Psychologist podcast is approved for CEU’s! I’ve partnered with At Health to offer CE credits for podcast episodes! Visit this link to access current and past episodes available for CE credit. You can use code “TTP10” for a discount on ALL the course credits you purchase from At Health! About Dr. Jeremy Sharp I’m a licensed psychologist and Clinical Director at the Colorado Center for Assessment & Counseling, a private practice that I founded in 2009 and have grown to over 20 clinicians. I earned my undergraduate degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina before getting my Master’s and PhD in Counseling Psychology from Colorado State University. These days, I specialize in psychological and neuropsychological evaluation with kids and adolescents. As the host of the Testing Psychologist Podcast, I provide private practice consulting for psychologists and other mental health professionals who want to start or grow psychological testing services in their practices. I live in Fort Collins, Colorado with my wife (also a therapist) and two young kids. Ready to grow your testing services? Click below to schedule a complimentary 30-minute pre-consulting call! Schedule Your Call
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Oct 23, 2025 • 49min

535. Selling Your Practice w/ Dr. Carrie Singer

Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Carrie Singer, founder of www.sellyourpractice.com and the Facebook group Mergers and Acquisitions for Mental Health Professionals, to explore one of the least-discussed but most critical topics for group practice owners: selling your practice. We walk through the full process—from how to know when you’re ready, to identifying who might buy your practice, to understanding valuations, brokers, taxes, and what life looks like post-sale. Carrie brings exceptional clarity to a confusing and often secretive topic, offering practical, compassionate, and financially informed guidance for anyone who might one day consider selling their mental health business. Main Topics Covered Why practice sales are an overlooked topic in mental health Different ways to sell: to employees, peers, or private equity What makes a practice “sellable” and how testing practices fit in Market trends and why 2021–2023 were peak acquisition years How to determine the right time to sell (and why burnout isn’t it) How valuations, multiples, and EBITDA actually work Who’s on your “sale team”: brokers, attorneys, CPAs, and financial planners How rolled equity and earn-outs work—and why cash up front matters The real costs of selling and what you actually take home Managing the emotional and cultural impact of a sale Best practices for communicating with staff and buyers Carrie’s personal lessons learned and advice for future sellers Cool Things Mentioned The Testing Psychologist mastermind groups and business consulting: www.thetestingpsychologist.com/consulting Reverb: the premier AI-powered report-writing platform for testing psychologists: www.reverbreports.com Mergers and Acquisitions for Mental Health Professionals Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/mergersandacquisitionsformentalhealth Sell Your Practice (Carrie’s consulting site): www.sellyourpractice.com Project Equity (employee ownership models): www.project-equity.org BizBuySell (list or browse small businesses for sale): www.bizbuysell.com Merger & Acquisition firm mentioned (Mertz Taggart): www.mertztaggart.com U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA loans): sba.gov University of Pennsylvania Private Equity Online Course: online.wharton.upenn.edu Featured Resources I am honored to partner with two AMAZING companies to help improve your testing practice! PAR is a long time supporter of the Testing Psychologist podcast, and I will continue to bring you featured items from their catalog! Listen to each episode for specific product recommendations and links. Learn more at www.parinc.com. TherapyNotes is the leading EHR system for mental health practitioners. I’ve used TherapyNotes for over 10 years, and it just keeps getting better. Use this link and the promo code “testing” to get two free months and try it for yourself! www.therapynotes.com/testing The Testing Psychologist podcast is approved for CEU’s! I’ve partnered with At Health to offer CE credits for podcast episodes! Visit this link to access current and past episodes available for CE credit. You can use code “TTP10” for a discount on ALL the course credits you purchase from At Health! About Dr. Carrie Singer Dr. Carrie Singer is a Clinical Psychologist and owner of Orchard Mental Health Group, which has 165 clinicians in 10 locations throughout Maryland. Carrie has a particular interest in the intersection of business, technology, and mental health. She regularly mentors and speaks about parity and regulatory challenges in the industry, AI threats and opportunities, financial literacy for practice owners, and exit planning strategies. Get in Touch & Resources: Email: Carrie@SellYourPractice.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-carrie-singer-a4461617/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sellingyourmentalhealthpractice About Dr. Jeremy Sharp I’m a licensed psychologist and Clinical Director at the Colorado Center for Assessment & Counseling, a private practice that I founded in 2009 and have grown to over 20 clinicians. I earned my undergraduate degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina before getting my Master’s and PhD in Counseling Psychology from Colorado State University. These days, I specialize in psychological and neuropsychological evaluation with kids and adolescents. As the host of the Testing Psychologist Podcast, I provide private practice consulting for psychologists and other mental health professionals who want to start or grow psychological testing services in their practices. I live in Fort Collins, Colorado with my wife (also a therapist) and two young kids. Ready to grow your testing services? Click below to schedule a complimentary 30-minute pre-consulting call! Schedule Your Call
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Oct 20, 2025 • 49min

534. The Referral Recession

Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. In this solo episode, I dive into what I’ve started calling the “referral recession” – the noticeable dip in testing referrals many practices have seen since 2024. I unpack national data from the APA and NASP, explain why these shifts are happening, and share both short- and long-term strategies for navigating slower seasons. From economic trends and insurance challenges to AI-driven search changes, I walk through what’s really going on beneath the surface – and how to respond without panic. Main Topics 00:00–02:20 Overview of the referral slowdown and APA data showing a 14% average decline in inquiries 02:21–04:48 National data on testing-specific declines (18–20%) and Google search trends 04:49–07:10 Five contributing factors: economic compression, school stabilization, market saturation, referral fatigue, and AI-driven search changes 07:11–09:38 What not to do: panic discounting, bad ads, or over-diversifying services 09:39–14:28 Short-term tactics: re-engage referral sources, simplify intake, optimize Google profile, use downtime strategically 14:29–19:00 Long-term strategies: relationship marketing, content creation, list-building, leveraging past clients, and SEO foundations 19:01–21:24 Building a sustainable marketing engine through consistent visibility and credibility 21:25–23:23 Mindset shift: using slower seasons to strengthen systems, automate workflows, and prepare for future growth 23:24–End Referrals are cyclical—consistency, connection, and clarity will outlast the slowdown Cool Things Mentioned The Testing Psychologist mastermind groups and business consulting Reverb: the premier AI-powered report-writing platform for testing psychologists APA Practice Organization (2024 Survey): www.apa.org/practice Federal Reserve Report on Household Spending (2024): www.federalreserve.gov/publications National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) 2024 Data: www.nasponline.org HubSpot Conversion Research (2024): www.hubspot.com Therapy for Your Money Podcast w/ Julie Herres: www.greenoakaccounting.com/podcast Google Business Profile Optimization Guide: www.support.google.com/business ConvertKit Email Marketing Platform: www.convertkit.com MailChimp Email Marketing Platform: www.mailchimp.com Kajabi All-in-One Platform: www.kajabi.com Featured Resources I am honored to partner with two AMAZING companies to help improve your testing practice! PAR is a long time supporter of the Testing Psychologist podcast, and I will continue to bring you featured items from their catalog! Listen to each episode for specific product recommendations and links. Learn more at www.parinc.com. TherapyNotes is the leading EHR system for mental health practitioners. I’ve used TherapyNotes for over 10 years, and it just keeps getting better. Use this link and the promo code “testing” to get two free months and try it for yourself! www.therapynotes.com/testing The Testing Psychologist podcast is approved for CEU’s! I’ve partnered with At Health to offer CE credits for podcast episodes! Visit this link to access current and past episodes available for CE credit. You can use code “TTP10” for a discount on ALL the course credits you purchase from At Health! About Dr. Jeremy Sharp I’m a licensed psychologist and Clinical Director at the Colorado Center for Assessment & Counseling, a private practice that I founded in 2009 and have grown to over 20 clinicians. I earned my undergraduate degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina before getting my Master’s and PhD in Counseling Psychology from Colorado State University. These days, I specialize in psychological and neuropsychological evaluation with kids and adolescents. As the host of the Testing Psychologist Podcast, I provide private practice consulting for psychologists and other mental health professionals who want to start or grow psychological testing services in their practices. I live in Fort Collins, Colorado with my wife (also a therapist) and two young kids. Ready to grow your testing services? Click below to schedule a complimentary 30-minute pre-consulting call! Schedule Your Call
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5 snips
Oct 16, 2025 • 49min

533. Scaling and Growth Part 2: Hiring vs. Optimizing

Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. In the second episode of my Scaling Smart mini-series, I dig into the tactical question every practice owner faces once they decide to grow: should you hire, or should you optimize the team and systems you already have? Drawing on my own experience—from my very first psychometrist hire 15+ years ago to the painful lessons of building a 45-person team—I break down the conditions that make hiring smart, the efficiencies that can buy you time without adding staff, and the middle path of cross-training and flexible roles. If you’ve ever felt stuck between “we need more people” and “we should be running leaner,” this episode will help you clarify your next move. Main topics covered When hiring truly makes sense (capacity, stepping back, profitability) Why busy staff don’t always equal profitable staff Lessons learned from hiring too quickly and without financial modeling Practical examples of optimization: AI tools, automation, time blocking, and systems fixes The “middle path”: using contractors and cross-training staff How to run a simple capacity audit before making your next hire Why right-sizing is personal and must align with your goals and lifestyle Cool Things Mentioned The Testing Psychologist mastermind groups and business consulting Reverb: the premier AI-powered report-writing platform for testing psychologists Featured Resources I am honored to partner with two AMAZING companies to help improve your testing practice! PAR is a long time supporter of the Testing Psychologist podcast, and I will continue to bring you featured items from their catalog! Listen to each episode for specific product recommendations and links. Learn more at www.parinc.com. TherapyNotes is the leading EHR system for mental health practitioners. I’ve used TherapyNotes for over 10 years, and it just keeps getting better. Use this link and the promo code “testing” to get two free months and try it for yourself! www.therapynotes.com/testing The Testing Psychologist podcast is approved for CEU’s!I’ve partnered with At Health to offer CE credits for podcast episodes! Visit this link to access current and past episodes available for CE credit. You can use code “TTP10” for a discount on ALL the course credits you purchase from At Health! About Dr. Jeremy Sharp I’m a licensed psychologist and Clinical Director at the Colorado Center for Assessment & Counseling, a private practice that I founded in 2009 and have grown to over 20 clinicians. I earned my undergraduate degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina before getting my Master’s and PhD in Counseling Psychology from Colorado State University. These days, I specialize in psychological and neuropsychological evaluation with kids and adolescents. As the host of the Testing Psychologist Podcast, I provide private practice consulting for psychologists and other mental health professionals who want to start or grow psychological testing services in their practices. I live in Fort Collins, Colorado with my wife (also a therapist) and two young kids. Ready to grow your testing services? Click below to schedule a complimentary 30-minute pre-consulting call! Schedule Your Call
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4 snips
Oct 9, 2025 • 49min

532. Scaling and Growth Part 1: Grow or Hold Steady?

Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. In this first part of my Scaling Smart mini-series, I dive into one of the hardest decisions we face in private practice: should you grow your practice, or should you hold steady? I share candidly about my own journey—including the “live” challenge I’m facing right now with long waitlists and clients declining to book—and unpack both the green lights for growth and the red flags that signal it’s better to pause. You’ll also hear about times I expanded too quickly and how ego, scarcity, and shaky systems created more problems than solutions. If you’re trying to decide whether expansion is right for you, this episode will help you evaluate your own practice with clarity and intention. Main topics covered Why “right-sizing” is such a tough business decision Signs that it might be time to grow (capacity, waitlists, financial cushion) Signs to hold steady instead (burnout, shaky systems, ego-driven growth) The role of mindset: abundance vs. scarcity decisions Practical reflections and exercises to guide your next step Cool Things Mentioned The Testing Psychologist mastermind groups and business consulting Reverb: the premier AI-powered report-writing platform for testing psychologists Testing Psychologist episode on capacity and hiring Featured Resources I am honored to partner with two AMAZING companies to help improve your testing practice! PAR is a long time supporter of the Testing Psychologist podcast, and I will continue to bring you featured items from their catalog! Listen to each episode for specific product recommendations and links. Learn more at www.parinc.com. TherapyNotes is the leading EHR system for mental health practitioners. I’ve used TherapyNotes for over 10 years, and it just keeps getting better. Use this link and the promo code “testing” to get two free months and try it for yourself! www.therapynotes.com/testing The Testing Psychologist podcast is approved for CEU’s! I’ve partnered with At Health to offer CE credits for podcast episodes! Visit this link to access current and past episodes available for CE credit. You can use code “TTP10” for a discount on ALL the course credits you purchase from At Health! About Dr. Jeremy Sharp I’m a licensed psychologist and Clinical Director at the Colorado Center for Assessment & Counseling, a private practice that I founded in 2009 and have grown to over 20 clinicians. I earned my undergraduate degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina before getting my Master’s and PhD in Counseling Psychology from Colorado State University. These days, I specialize in psychological and neuropsychological evaluation with kids and adolescents. As the host of the Testing Psychologist Podcast, I provide private practice consulting for psychologists and other mental health professionals who want to start or grow psychological testing services in their practices. I live in Fort Collins, Colorado with my wife (also a therapist) and two young kids. Ready to grow your testing services? Click below to schedule a complimentary 30-minute pre-consulting call! Schedule Your Call
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9 snips
Oct 6, 2025 • 49min

531. The Science and Art of Trauma Assessment w/ Dr. Erin Eadie & Dr. John Briere

In this discussion, Dr. Erin Eadie, a Toronto-based clinical psychologist, and Dr. John Briere, a leading trauma researcher, delve into the evolution of trauma assessment. They explore why some individuals develop PTSD after similar events while others do not, emphasizing the role of prior experiences and context. The duo highlights the importance of cultural humility, especially when working with marginalized groups, and introduces new tools like the Social Discrimination and Maltreatment Scale. Their insights shed light on effective trauma assessment strategies for mental health professionals.
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Oct 2, 2025 • 49min

530. Crossover: The Owner’s Room w/ Dr. Tara Vossenkemper

Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. In this special crossover episode, I joined my friend Dr. Tara Vossenkemper on her podcast, Culture Focused Practice. We dug deep into what it really means to slow down as a business owner, and the emotional whiplash that can come with choosing rest. This was one of the most real, unscripted conversations I’ve had on air—we talked openly about identity, achievement, grief, and the restless energy that often follows when things finally get quiet. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re doing “enough” or struggled to hold stillness without losing your sense of self, this episode will resonate. Main topics covered What “falling behind” really means for entrepreneurs The role of “enoughness” and the pressure to always do more Right-sizing a large practice and the identity shift that follows The emotional cost of slowing down: agitation, restlessness, grief Family of origin, personality, and achievement-driven identities How productivity, usefulness, and self-worth intertwine The tension between visionary work and integrator tasks Practical and personal strategies for managing stillness The beauty and pain of grief in business evolution The push-pull between sprinting through life and slowing down Resources mentioned Deep Work by Cal Newport: www.calnewport.com/books/deep-work Rocket Fuel by Gino Wickman and Mark C. Winters: www.eosworldwide.com/rocket-fuel Tara’s podcast – The Culture Focused Practice: https://taravossenkemper.transistor.fm/ Featured Resources I am honored to partner with two AMAZING companies to help improve your testing practice! PAR is a long time supporter of the Testing Psychologist podcast, and I will continue to bring you featured items from their catalog! Listen to each episode for specific product recommendations and links. Learn more at www.parinc.com. TherapyNotes is the leading EHR system for mental health practitioners. I’ve used TherapyNotes for over 10 years, and it just keeps getting better. Use this link and the promo code “testing” to get two free months and try it for yourself! www.therapynotes.com/testing The Testing Psychologist podcast is approved for CEU’s! I’ve partnered with At Health to offer CE credits for podcast episodes! Visit this link to access current and past episodes available for CE credit. You can use code “TTP10” for a discount on ALL the course credits you purchase from At Health!. You can use code “TTP10” for a discount on ALL the course credits you purchase from At Health! About Dr. Tara Vossenkemper Tara Vossenkemper, PhD, LPC, is a consultant, podcast host, and speaker who helps group practice owners build thriving teams and cultures (without losing their minds in the process). Known for blending humor with actionable insights, Tara leverages her own experience running a successful mid-size group practice to help other leaders tackle hiring challenges, streamline their systems using EOS, and create workplaces people genuinely love. When she’s not podcasting about practice ownership or facilitating masterminds, you’ll find her traveling the country in an RV, homeschooling her kids, and dreaming of one day planting a chestnut orchard and getting back into homesteading. Get in Touch & Resources: Website:www.taravossenkemper.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/drtaravossenkemper Podcast: [https://open.spotify.com/show/0IPKCRqiKLiF3xE0jY3Big?si=2c6f48ec352c43d2]  About Dr. Jeremy Sharp I’m a licensed psychologist and Clinical Director at the Colorado Center for Assessment & Counseling, a private practice that I founded in 2009 and have grown to over 20 clinicians. I earned my undergraduate degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina before getting my Master’s and PhD in Counseling Psychology from Colorado State University. These days, I specialize in psychological and neuropsychological evaluation with kids and adolescents. As the host of the Testing Psychologist Podcast, I provide private practice consulting for psychologists and other mental health professionals who want to start or grow psychological testing services in their practices. I live in Fort Collins, Colorado with my wife (also a therapist) and two young kids. Ready to grow your testing services? Click below to schedule a complimentary 30-minute pre-consulting call! Schedule Your Call
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Sep 29, 2025 • 49min

529. Creating Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools w/ Emily Kircher-Morris, LPC

Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. In this episode, I talk with Emily Kircher-Morris, LPC, about how to create neurodiversity-affirming schools. Drawing from her dual background in education and mental health—as well as her personal experience with ADHD—Emily breaks down how schools can shift from deficit-based models to strengths-based, inclusive practices that actually work. We talk universal design, accommodations that empower (not enable), navigating school systems with private evaluations, and why changing the language we use might be the most powerful intervention of all. Topics Covered: What “neurodiversity-affirming” really means The role of universal design in inclusive classrooms Why deficit-based language harms students—and how to reframe it Accommodations that promote independence vs. enablement Building metacognitive skills through collaborative planning How private evaluation recommendations translate (or don’t) into school settings Common pitfalls in IEP/504 expectations The importance of including neurodivergent educators in systemic change Sensory accommodations and overlooked supports Staying hopeful amidst resistance to change Cool Things Mentioned The Testing Psychologist mastermind groups and business consulting Reverb report-writing software Creating Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools by Emily Kircher-Morris & Amanda Morin: Buy on Amazon Neurodiversity Podcast (hosted by Emily): www.neurodiversitypodcast.com Limited series podcast Creating Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools: Listen on Spotify Lives in the Balance (Ross Greene): www.livesinthebalance.org Dr. Ross Greene’s book The Explosive Child: Buy on Amazon Featured Resources I am honored to partner with two AMAZING companies to help improve your testing practice! PAR is a long time supporter of the Testing Psychologist podcast, and I will continue to bring you featured items from their catalog! Listen to each episode for specific product recommendations and links. Learn more at www.parinc.com. TherapyNotes is the leading EHR system for mental health practitioners. I’ve used TherapyNotes for over 10 years, and it just keeps getting better. Use this link and the promo code “testing” to get two free months and try it for yourself! www.therapynotes.com/testing The Testing Psychologist podcast is approved for CEU’s! I’ve partnered with At Health to offer CE credits for podcast episodes! Visit this link to access current and past episodes available for CE credit. You can use code “TTP10” for a discount on ALL the course credits you purchase from At Health! About Emily Kircher-Morris, LPC Emily Kircher-Morris and Amanda Morin are the co-authors of Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools: Transforming Practices So All Students Feel Accepted and Supported. Emily is a licensed professional counselor and educator who specializes in supporting neurodivergent individuals in both clinical and school settings. Amanda is an educator, author, and advocate with expertise in universal design for learning and inclusive educational practices. Together, they provide practical strategies to help schools create environments where neurodivergent students feel understood, valued, and supported. Get in Touch & Resources: Emily’s Websitehttps://emilykirchermorris.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/EmilyKircherMorris Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilykm_lpc Facebook: www.facebook.com/NeurodiversityPodcast Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/theneurodiversitypodcast/ Amanda’s Website: https://amandamorin.com Amanda’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmandaMorinTeaches Amanda’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandarmorin/ About Dr. Jeremy Sharp I’m a licensed psychologist and Clinical Director at the Colorado Center for Assessment & Counseling, a private practice that I founded in 2009 and have grown to over 20 clinicians. I earned my undergraduate degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina before getting my Master’s and PhD in Counseling Psychology from Colorado State University. These days, I specialize in psychological and neuropsychological evaluation with kids and adolescents. As the host of the Testing Psychologist Podcast, I provide private practice consulting for psychologists and other mental health professionals who want to start or grow psychological testing services in their practices. I live in Fort Collins, Colorado with my wife (also a therapist) and two young kids. Ready to grow your testing services? Click below to schedule a complimentary 30-minute pre-consulting call! Schedule Your Call
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Sep 18, 2025 • 49min

528. AI for Testing Psychologists: My Proposed AI Competencies

Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. In this episode, I walk through my draft framework for AI competencies in psychology, designed to help clinicians and trainees navigate ethical, secure, and effective AI use. With AI adoption spreading rapidly in mental health, psychologists need clear benchmarks for what competence actually looks like. Drawing on my experience running an APA-accredited internship program, I outline seven domains of competence—from foundational knowledge to professional advocacy—that can guide both training and practice. This episode is a practical roadmap for supervisors, trainees, and clinicians looking to integrate AI responsibly into their work. Main topics covered: Why psychologists need defined AI competencies Ground zero: foundational AI knowledge for clinicians Transparency and informed consent when using AI Bias mitigation and equity in AI-supported services Privacy, security, and HIPAA concerns with AI tools Accuracy, misinformation, and safeguarding judgment The clinician’s role in maintaining human oversight Liability, ethics, and continuing education in AI Professional development and advocacy for responsible AI Resources Mentioned The Testing Psychologist consulting Reverb: AI report-writing software APA guidelines for AI use The Testing Psychologist proposed AI Competencies Featured Resources I am honored to partner with two AMAZING companies to help improve your testing practice! PAR is a long time supporter of the Testing Psychologist podcast, and I will continue to bring you featured items from their catalog! Listen to each episode for specific product recommendations and links. Learn more at www.parinc.com. TherapyNotes is the leading EHR system for mental health practitioners. I’ve used TherapyNotes for over 10 years, and it just keeps getting better. Use this link and the promo code “testing” to get two free months and try it for yourself! www.therapynotes.com/testing The Testing Psychologist podcast is approved for CEU’s! I’ve partnered with At Health to offer CE credits for podcast episodes! Visit this link to access current and past episodes available for CE credit. You can use code “TTP10” for a discount on ALL the course credits you purchase from At Health! About Dr. Jeremy Sharp I’m a licensed psychologist and Clinical Director at the Colorado Center for Assessment & Counseling, a private practice that I founded in 2009 and have grown to over 20 clinicians. I earned my undergraduate degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina before getting my Master’s and PhD in Counseling Psychology from Colorado State University. These days, I specialize in psychological and neuropsychological evaluation with kids and adolescents. As the host of the Testing Psychologist Podcast, I provide private practice consulting for psychologists and other mental health professionals who want to start or grow psychological testing services in their practices. I live in Fort Collins, Colorado with my wife (also a therapist) and two young kids. Ready to grow your testing services? Click below to schedule a complimentary 30-minute pre-consulting call! Schedule Your Call
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Sep 17, 2025 • 49min

527. AI for Testing Psychologists, Part 2: Ethics, Supervision, and Protecting Clinical Judgment in the AI Era

Would you rather read the transcript? Click here. In this episode, I step back from the nuts and bolts of AI tools and dig into the ethical, supervisory, and professional development challenges of using AI in psychological assessment. I share insights from aviation, medicine, and radiology to highlight risks like automation bias, skill decay, and over-reliance on AI. I also discuss how clinicians and trainees can protect their critical thinking, balance workload reduction with deliberate practice, and frame AI as a thought partner rather than a replacement for judgment. This conversation is designed to spark reflection on how AI is shaping not just our workflows, but our ethics, training practices, and professional identity as psychologists. Main topics covered: Does reducing cognitive load always help—or can it erode clinical skill? Strategies to prevent skill decay and maintain clinical proficiency Over-reliance, automation bias, and how to resist it Structured reflection exercises to improve judgment The role of deliberate practice in training and supervision Using AI as a thought partner versus a worker How AI-supported education can preserve skill development pathways Frameworks for trainees: explain-to-verify and reflective reasoning Cool Things Mentioned The Testing Psychologist mastermind groups and business consulting “Panel on AI & Testing (AAPdN Annual Conference, April 2025)”: https://www.theaapdn.org/ “We’re All Wrong Sometimes: Blindspots, Biases, & Getting Better w/ Dr. Stephanie Nelson (The Testing Psychologist #276)”: https://thetestingpsychologist.com/276-were-all-wrong-sometimes-blindspots-biases-getting-better-w-dr-stephanie-nelson/ “Reverb (AI-assisted report writing for psychologists)”: https://reverbreports.com/ “Automation bias: a systematic review of frequency, effect, mediators, and mitigators (JAMIA, 2011)”: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3240751/ “Humans and automation: use, misuse, disuse, abuse (Parasuraman & Riley, 1997)”: https://web.mit.edu/16.459/www/parasuraman.pdf “Automation-induced complacency: NASA review and experiments (Prinzel et al., 2001)”: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20020021642/downloads/20020021642.pdf “Cognitive forcing strategies in clinical decisionmaking (Croskerry, 2003)”: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12514691/ “Effect of availability bias and reflective reasoning on diagnostic accuracy (Mamede et al., JAMA 2010)”: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/186585 “The role of deliberate practice in the acquisition of expert performance (Ericsson, Krampe, & Tesch-Römer, 1993)”: https://cseweb.ucsd.edu/classes/fa08/cse599/Papers/Ericsson.pdf “Care to Explain? AI Explanation Types Differentially Impact Chest Radiograph Diagnostic Performance and Physician Trust in AI (Radiology, 2024)”: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39560483/ “Does AI help or hurt human radiologists’ performance? (Harvard DBMI summary of Agarwal et al., 2024)”: https://dbmi.hms.harvard.edu/news/does-ai-help-or-hurt-human-radiologists-performance-depends-doctor Featured Resources I am honored to partner with two AMAZING companies to help improve your testing practice! PAR is a long time supporter of the Testing Psychologist podcast, and I will continue to bring you featured items from their catalog! Listen to each episode for specific product recommendations and links. Learn more at www.parinc.com. TherapyNotes is the leading EHR system for mental health practitioners. I’ve used TherapyNotes for over 10 years, and it just keeps getting better. Use this link and the promo code “testing” to get two free months and try it for yourself! www.therapynotes.com/testing The Testing Psychologist podcast is approved for CEU’s! I’ve partnered with At Health to offer CE credits for podcast episodes! Visit this link to access current and past episodes available for CE credit. You can use code “TTP10” for a discount on ALL the course credits you purchase from At Health! About Dr. Jeremy Sharp I’m a licensed psychologist and Clinical Director at the Colorado Center for Assessment & Counseling, a private practice that I founded in 2009 and have grown to over 20 clinicians. I earned my undergraduate degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina before getting my Master’s and PhD in Counseling Psychology from Colorado State University. These days, I specialize in psychological and neuropsychological evaluation with kids and adolescents. As the host of the Testing Psychologist Podcast, I provide private practice consulting for psychologists and other mental health professionals who want to start or grow psychological testing services in their practices. I live in Fort Collins, Colorado with my wife (also a therapist) and two young kids. Ready to grow your testing services? Click below to schedule a complimentary 30-minute pre-consulting call! Schedule Your Call

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