Comprehensive assessments are available at the Belin-Blank Center’s Assessment and Counseling Clinic (ACC) to determine the ability and achievement profiles of gifted and talented students, to examine career and area-of-study options, to identify the possible presence of a disability and/ or social-emotional concern, and to help parents and educators determine a student’s psychosocial and educational needs. This assessment typically includes obtaining background information from the family and school, clinical interviews with students and parents, observation, and psychological/ educational testing.

Counseling sessions for gifted and talented students and their families are also available at the ACC. These sessions are designed to assist students and their families with adjustment and emotional difficulties that may be related to the students’ giftedness, talents, or twice-exceptionality (a gifted learner who also has a co-existing disability).

A variety of consultation services are offered to parents of gifted and talented students. Topic areas for consultation are diverse, and can include obtaining academic acceleration options, planning for post-secondary education, and obtaining diagnostic second opinions. The ACC staff is available on a limited basis to provide outreach services to child psychology and education professionals.

The Assessment and Counseling Clinic (ACC) provides training opportunities in psychoeducational assessment, counseling, and consultation for pre- and post-doctoral-level supervisees from specialty areas in school, counseling, and clinical psychology, and promotes services for gifted and talented populations through these training opportunities. The ACC training program meets the guidelines of the Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (APA, 2003), Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice (ACA, 1995), Principles for Professional Ethics and Guidelines for the Provision of School Psychological Services (NASP, 2000), and Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing (AERA, ACA, & NCME, 1999).

Henry B. and Jocelyn Wallace of Scottsdale, Arizona, have been outstanding advocates for gifted students. The ACC was made possible by a generous gift from them. It was the aspiration of Henry B. and Jocelyn that gifted children and their families would have opportunities to receive counseling services. This Clinic is a testament to their vision and generosity and is named in their honor.