Located within Hofstra University’sJoan and Arnold Saltzman Community Services Center, The Psychological Evaluation Research and Counseling Clinic (PERCC) provides comprehensive diagnostic evaluations and psychological services to children, adolescents, adults, and families from a wide range of cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
PERCC’s mission is twofold: to offer high-quality, evidence-based psychological services to the community and to serve as a hands-on training site for doctoral students in Hofstra’s Psy.D. Program in School–Community Psychology. This clinic embodies one of the program’s core tenets — Learning Through Action — a philosophy that defines the Psy.D. training model. Students are not passive observers; they become active participants in the clinical process, translating psychological theory into purposeful, compassionate, and scientifically grounded practice.
Comprehensive Psychological Evaluation
PERCC clinicians help clients better understand and address behavioral, emotional, learning, and adjustment concerns through a structured, collaborative, and culturally responsive process. Each evaluation emphasizes clarity, partnership, and practical application—transforming data into meaningful insight and action.
A full psychological evaluation typically includes:
- Biographical and developmental review to capture each client’s story, context, and strengths.
- Behavioral observations that provide real-time insight into interpersonal style, attention, motivation, and emotional regulation during the assessment process.
- Collateral interviews with parents, caregivers, teachers, or other professionals to gather multiple perspectives and ensure a comprehensive understanding of the client’s functioning across settings.
- Standardized psychological testing and assessment tailored to the individual’s age, background, and presenting concerns.
- Interpretive conference where findings are discussed in an open, supportive dialogue with clients and families.
- Comprehensive written report offering clear, evidence-based recommendations and next steps for intervention, learning, and growth.
Our evaluations focus on identifying both challenges and capacities, helping clients establish realistic goals and develop strategies that foster emotional health, resilience, and adaptive functioning.
Learning Through Action: Training and Supervision
At PERCC, students experience firsthand what it means to learn through action — a cornerstone of the Psy.D. Program in School–Community Psychology. Under the close supervision of licensed psychologists, students conduct psychological and psychoeducational evaluations for clients across the lifespan. This direct, experiential model allows trainees to bridge theory and practice, developing competence through reflection, guided inquiry, and professional mentorship.
Supervisors include both program faculty and field-based practitioners, ensuring that all evaluations meet the highest standards of professional ethics and scientific rigor. Each student works with several supervisors throughout their time at PERCC, gaining exposure to diverse assessment approaches, populations, and supervisory styles.
This mentoring process builds clinical judgment, cultural responsiveness, and professional confidence, preparing Hofstra Psy.D. students to become skilled and compassionate practitioners in schools, agencies, and community settings.
Dr. Joseph Scardapane, Assistant Provost and Executive Director of the Saltzman Center, oversees the clinic and ensures that each evaluation reflects the program’s dual mission of educational excellence and public service.
Clinical Experience and Professional Development
PERCC serves as a cornerstone of the Psy.D. training sequence. Consistent with the program’s Learning Through Action model, beginning students complete twelve (12) comprehensive evaluations, while advanced standing students complete six (6). Each case involves the full cycle of clinical engagement—from referral and assessment planning through testing, interpretation, report writing, and feedback delivery.
Through this process, students develop the essential skills of the practitioner-scholar: critical thinking, ethical decision-making, diagnostic precision, clear communication, and the ability to translate data into meaningful recommendations.
For the community, PERCC offers more than diagnostic clarity—it represents the PsyD Program at Hofstra University’s enduring commitment to accessible, high-quality psychological care and to training the next generation of reflective, service-oriented psychologists who learn by doing, grow through supervision, and lead through action.