Early Childhood Assessment | Northern Sky Psychology

Ways We Can Work Together...

Infant and Early
Childhood Assessment

An infant and early childhood assessment offers parents support in understanding their young child’s emotional or behavioral challenges. We explore your concerns, your child’s developmental history, and your family’s values and experiences. This may involve observing your child at home or in another familiar setting, and may include developmental screenings or brief assessments, as needed. Together, we'll reflect on insights gained and develop practical, compassionate strategies to strengthen your connection and support your child’s well-being.

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Is this service the right for my family?

Yes, if you are looking to better understand your young child’s emotional or behavioral challenges, so you can respond with clarity, confidence, and compassion. By uncovering what your child is communicating through their behavior, we can strengthen your connection and support their growth in a way that honors your family’s values.

What to Expect:

This is a focused, short-term service designed to help you better understand your young child’s emotional or behavioral challenges. Early support can make a lasting difference, and our work together begins with a conversation about your concerns, your child’s unique temperament and strengths, and your family’s values and experiences.

I gather developmental history and observe your child in the settings where challenges arise—this could be at home, in a preschool setting, or during transitions. You may also be asked to complete developmental or behavioral screenings, and in some cases, I may recommend additional testing with your child.

We’ll conclude with a feedback session where I share insights and personalized recommendations. My goal is to offer support that brings clarity, deepens connection, and helps your family move forward with confidence.

Therapeutic Psychological Assessment

1. Start with a Conversation

We talk about your concerns and your child’s temperament

2. Understanding Your Child

I gather information about your child’s development and unique challenges and life experiences.

3. Watch in Real-Life Settings

I observe your child at home, in preschool, or during transitions.

4. Complete Helpful Checklists

You may complete checklists, and I might recommend additional testing.

5. Sharing Insights

We meet to go over insights and what they mean for your child.

6. Creating a Support Plan

You get clear next steps to support your child and strengthen your connection.

What investment does IECMH assessment invole?

Caregiver and toddler reading together, symbolizing early childhood consultation and developmental support at Northern Sky Psychology.

Infant/Early Childhood Consultation

Infant/Early Childhood Consultation typically costs between $800-$950. This includes the initial meeting, 1+ observation meetings of your child, conducting screening measures, and time spent to write a comprehensive report. The expense can vary when specific testing or additional observations are needed to answer questions.

You should plan for 2-3 meetings, 1-2 observations, 5-7 hours to complete the entire process.

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Assessment can help to understand a range of concerns:

Young child screaming during a tantrum on the floor, illustrating emotional outbursts addressed through psychological assessment.

Frequent or intense tantrums
Frequent tantrums, meltdowns, or emotional outbursts that feel overwhelming.

Caregiver feeding infant in nursery, symbolizing struggles with sleep, feeding, or daily routines addressed through early assessment.

Struggles with Daily Routines
Ongoing challenges around sleep, eating, or toileting beyond typical stages.

Caregiver helping young child with backpack, representing difficulty with transitions or separation from familiar routines or people.

Difficulty with Transitions or Separation
Trouble adjusting to new routines, places, or being apart from caregivers.

Parent and child engaged in early learning activity, reflecting developmental concerns such as speech or social-emotional delays.

Concerns About Development
including speech, motor, or social-emotional skills.

Worried caregiver hugs anxious child, illustrating emotional behaviors like anxiety or withdrawal explored through assessment.

Anxious, Clingy, or Withdrawn Behavior
Worries or behaviors that get in the way of everyday life.

Worried adult comforts upset child outside school, illustrating peer challenges and emotional distress addressed through assessment.

Aggression or Trouble with Peers
Hitting, biting, or difficulty playing and getting along with other children.

Concerned parent and withdrawn child at table, representing behavioral shifts after stressful life events or transitions.

Behavior Changes After Stress
Shifts in behavior following big changes like a move, illness, or family separation.

Concerned parent talking with frustrated child at table, reflecting parenting challenges and need for assessment support.

Parenting Feels Especially Challenging
Feeling stuck, unsure, or disconnected from your child.

Caregiver and child share quiet embrace, symbolizing concerns about bonding or attachment explored through therapeutic assessment.

Worries About Bonding or Attachment
Especially after medical issues, adoption, or NICU experiences.

Smiling father and child hugging outdoors, symbolizing connection and insight into parenting a sensitive or spirited child.

A desire for deeper understanding
Looking for guidance in understanding and parenting a sensitive or spirited child.

Dr. Wolf's background in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health

Portrait of Dr. Nicole Wolf smiling outdoors with aspen trees behind her, symbolizing grounded, compassionate psychological care.

I studied clinical psychology at the University of Tennessee with emphesis on Object-Relations psychoanalytic theory. I came to understand and appreciate the fundamental importance of early relationships and early experiences, and how they form the template for how we understand ourselves, our emotions, and make meaning of our relationships.

Professionally, I began practicing in Minnesota, where I worked for a decade. I participated in several state, grant-funded trainings focused on ‘growing professionals’ to provide Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) services. This included becoming certified in Trauma-Informed Child-Parent Psychotherapy.

While in MN, I provided leadership in three community mental health agencies – to implement programs that provide Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health services. I also provided consultation for Head Start and daycare settings, and supervised an in-home visiting program, providing services in-home for young children and their caregivers.

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If you are interested in this service, you can schedule a free 15-min consultation with Dr. Wolf to receive greater clarification about a plan for assessment that meets your specific needs. Dr. Wolf will provide an estimate for the services in this consultation. Any potential additions to this plan will be discussed with you, and you will have the option to add additional services or to keep with the original plan.

Brown ribbon with mountains, trees, and Progress Pride flag—symbolizing inclusive, affirming, and trauma-aware mental health care.

This office honors the diversity of our community. All are welcome here, without judgment or discrimination. We strive to create a space where every individual and family feels seen, valued, and supported.

Office
(928) 255-9946
Contact@NorthernSkyPsychology.com
1016 W University Ave., Ste 202 Flagstaff, AZ

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