This might be for you if
- You have been asked for documentation of a mental health condition and are not sure where to get it
- You are asking your employer for a change at work and need something in writing
- You are applying for disability benefits and want a current description of how you are functioning
- An insurer or agency has asked for a functional-capacity evaluation
- You want a plain-language picture of what is hard right now, and why
What a disability psychological evaluation is
A disability is any condition of the body or mind that makes it harder to do one or more major life activities and to interact with the world around you. That includes conditions that affect thinking, remembering, learning, communicating, mental health and social relationships.
A disability psychological evaluation looks at your mental health and at how it affects everyday life. A functional-capacity evaluation asks a narrower question: what you are able to do day to day, at home and at work, and where a condition gets in the way.
Both end the same way. The findings are explained to you in plain language, with time for your questions, and you receive a written report. Both are among the psychological evaluations we offer.
What an evaluation can and cannot do
An evaluation gives an honest, careful account of what was found. It is not a decision about benefits, leave or accommodations, and it is not written to reach a particular result. We describe what we see, whether or not it supports the request you are making.
Each program has its own definition of disability and its own rules about evidence. The Social Security Administration, a private disability insurer, an employer and a school can all look at the same person and apply different tests. That is why the most useful first step is to ask whoever requested the evaluation exactly what they need and who must sign it.
Nothing on this page is legal advice. If you have questions about your rights or a claim, an attorney or the agency itself is the right place to ask.
What we want you to know up front
- We do not decide whether anyone is disabled or qualifies for benefits or accommodations
- The agency, insurer or employer makes that decision under its own rules
- We cannot promise that any agency, insurer, employer or school will accept a report or rely on it
- We cannot predict a diagnosis or the outcome of a claim or request
Documentation for work, and what the law says in general
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, a person with a disability is someone who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, has a history or record of such an impairment, or is perceived by others as having one. Post-traumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder are among the examples listed on ADA.gov.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission describes a reasonable accommodation as a change in the way things are normally done at work. It says a condition does not need to be permanent or severe to count, and that an employer may ask for a letter from your health care provider documenting that you have a mental health condition.
Employers differ in what they ask for, and a full evaluation may be more than you need. Tell us what you were asked for and we will say plainly whether an evaluation fits. If work stress itself is the main concern, see our career counseling page.
How an online evaluation works
Evaluations are carried out entirely by secure video. There is no office to visit. You need to be physically located in Pennsylvania, West Virginia or Arizona during your appointments.
The National Institute of Mental Health notes that online appointments require an internet connection and a device like a smartphone or computer, and that virtual visits may feel less private if people nearby can see or overhear. A quiet room with a door you can close helps you speak freely.
An evaluation is not treatment, and it is not crisis care. If you are in crisis, call or text 988, or call 911. Locascio Wellness does not provide emergency services. Our crisis resources page lists more options.
Cost and getting started
If your question is about autism, our autism evaluation page explains that process.
Support is available alongside the paperwork: our depression therapy page is one place to start. Asking for a clear account of what you are dealing with is a reasonable, practical step.
- Find out what is being asked forAsk the agency, insurer or employer what the report must cover, who must sign it and whether there is a deadline. Requirements differ, so please share this before booking.
- Talk it through with usBook a free 15-minute consultation on our booking page or call 267-573-9817. We will talk about what you need, who is asking for it and any deadline.
- See the cost in writingEvaluations are private-pay and are not billed to insurance. The cost depends on the type of evaluation, and a sliding scale is possible. You get the cost in writing before anything is scheduled, and you have the right to a Good Faith Estimate. See insurance and fees.
- Complete the evaluation and review the findingsThe findings are explained in plain language with time for questions, and you receive a written report.
Who carries out the evaluation
Evaluations are carried out by Dr. Anthony Locascio, who holds a Doctor of Psychology degree (PsyD) and is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Arizona. He is completing licensure as a psychologist, so every evaluation is supervised and every report is co-signed by Jace St. Cyr, a licensed psychologist (Pennsylvania license PS020275).
Questions people ask
Will this evaluation get me approved for disability benefits?
No one can promise that, and we do not. We do not decide whether anyone is disabled or qualifies for benefits. The Social Security Administration, an insurer or another agency makes that decision under its own rules and may weigh a report however it chooses. What an evaluation offers is a careful, honest written account of how you are functioning.
Will the Social Security Administration or my insurer accept your report?
We cannot say. Each agency and insurer sets its own requirements for what a report must cover and who must sign it. Before you book, ask whoever requested the evaluation exactly what they need, and share that with us at your free consultation. We will tell you plainly if what they are asking for is not something we provide.
Does insurance cover a disability evaluation?
Evaluations at Locascio Wellness are private-pay and are not billed to insurance. The cost depends on the type of evaluation, and a sliding scale is possible. You receive the cost in writing before anything is scheduled, and you have the right to a Good Faith Estimate. Ask us about cost at your consultation.
How does an online disability evaluation work?
The whole evaluation takes place by secure video, so there is no office to visit. You need a device, an internet connection and a private place, and you must be physically located in Pennsylvania, West Virginia or Arizona during your appointments. At the end, the findings are explained in plain language and you receive a written report.
Can I use the report to ask my employer for accommodations?
That is up to your employer. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission says an employer may ask for a letter from your health care provider documenting that you have a mental health condition. Ask your employer what documentation it wants. A short letter from a provider who already treats you may be enough, and we will say so if an evaluation is more than you need.
What if the findings do not support my claim or request?
The report describes what the evaluation found, whatever that is. We do not write toward a result, and we cannot predict a diagnosis or an outcome before the evaluation is done. You will have the findings explained to you in plain language, with time for questions, so you understand what the report says and why.
Sources
- MedlinePlus: Disabilities
- ADA.gov: Introduction to the Americans with Disabilities Act
- U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission: Depression, PTSD, & Other Mental Health Conditions in the Workplace: Your Legal Rights
- National Institute of Mental Health: Getting Mental Health Support Virtually
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Published by Locascio Wellness. Last updated October 9, 2026. Clinically reviewed by Anthony Locascio, PsyD, LPC. This page is general information, not medical advice or a diagnosis.