Psychological Assessment Center of Charlotte, PLLC
Preferred Provider for the Charlotte Area Independent Schools Consortium
Services I Offered
Personalized Psychological Evaluations and Assessments
CAIS School Entry Assessments
The Charlotte Area Independent Schools Consortium (CAIS) is an elite organization of the top private schools in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area that are united in their efforts and desires to determine the best educational match between your child, your family, and your school(s) of choice with the hopes of providing an academic environment that fosters your child’s greatest potential. Cognitive assessment is one of the tools used to ensure an appropriate match between your child and their learning environment. As such, standardized cognitive evaluations allow families to avoid multiple evaluations while granting member schools the opportunity to assess applicants on an objective and uniform basis. The Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence–Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV) is administered to Pre-K, Kindergarten, and Grade 1 applicants whereas the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children–Fifth Edition (WISC-V) is required for rising Grades 2-4.
Non-CAIS School Entry Assessments
The State of North Carolina has a clearly defined process for Early Entry to Kindergarten.  Children who will reach their fourth birthday by April 16th may enter kindergarten if they demonstrate extraordinary academic ability and maturity. This determination is made in-part on a child’s performance on standardized assessments of cognitive abilities and/or test of academic achievement.  Many public charter schools also require their applicants to undergo comparable testing prior to being considered for admission into their respective programs.  The Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence–Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV) is used to assess the cognitive skills and capacities of children ages 5 years and younger, whereas the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children–Fifth Edition (WISC-V) is administered to applicants 5 years older.  Appropriately selected subtests from the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test, Fourth Edition will be used to assess your child’s retention and application of academic concepts that they have been introduced to over the course of their educational career.
Comprehensive Psychological Evaluations
Comprehensive psychological evaluations are designed to provide diagnostic clarity for individuals presenting with suspected symptoms of anxiety, depression, and executive dysfunction (i.e., attention problems, poor impulse control, hyperactivity, memory concerns, concentration difficulties, etc.) just to name a few. An individually tailored test battery consisting of a combination of standardized assessments and questionnaires will be devised to ensure proper assessment of all presenting concerns and to inform subsequent treatment recommendations.
Eligibility Evaluations for Individuals with Disabilities
Managed care organizations (MCOs) often require members presenting with developmental disabilities to be re-assessed every 2 to 3 years to determine their eligibility for continued respite and community-based supports.  Many MCOs require at minimum a test of cognitive abilities and a measure of adaptive functioning to determine the type(s) of services and number of service hours that a member may qualify for; however, measures of social, emotional, and behavioral functioning can also be incorporated in such evaluations as they have been helpful at tracking client progress and response to previously established supports.
Meet Dr. Carmen Edwards
Hello, and thank you for visiting the Psychological Assessment Center of Charlotte's (PAAC's) website!
I am Dr. Carmen Edwards and I am a licensed, clinical psychologist that has been serving residents of Charlotte and surrounding areas since 2018.
I completed my undergraduate studies at South Carolina State University prior to earning a Master of Science
and a Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology from the University of Florida. After completing my clinical internship
and postdoctoral fellowship at The Kennedy Krieger Institute/Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in 2017, I returned to
my native home of Charlotte, North Carolina in hopes of giving back to the very same community that piqued
my interest and fueled my personal desire to become a mental health provider.
I have assessed and treated a variety of clinical disorders across the lifespan; however, I am most
enthusiastic about my work with children, adolescents, and their families. While I am not accepting clients for therapy, I am
well-versed in a variety of treatment modalities including, but not limited to, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT),
Functional Family Therapy (FFT), and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), all of which I rely on to inform
individualized, assessment-driven treatment recommendations for my clients. I truly believe that psychological testing is a
comprehensive and collaborative effort designed to promote self-awareness and intrinsic exploration,
which I take personal pride in assisting my clients navigate.
With that being said, I am excited about encouraging and supporting each of my potential clients and
their respective networks as they maneuver the evaluation process. Thank you for considering PACC in the midst of your personal journey I hope to connect with you soon!
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