FAA Psychological Evaluation
I'm Corinne, a licensed clinical psychologist, FAA/HIMS trained aviation psychologist, and former pilot. Beyond the ADHD Fast Track and Gender Dysphoria evaluations I complete regularly, I also provide general FAA-required psychological evaluations for pilots and pilot applicants going through the aeromedical certification process. Common examples are an AME requesting a psychological evaluation after a disclosed mental health history, or an evaluation required as part of a Special Issuance. This evaluation is completed in person at my office in Denver, CO or Santa Ana, CA.
Who You'll Work With
Hi, I'm Corinne.
I'm a licensed clinical psychologist (PsyD) with extensive experience supporting trauma survivors and marginalized communities. You'll work directly with me at every step. I run every session and sign every evaluation myself. More about me →
- PsyD, Licensed Psychologist
- Online in 45+ states
- In person in Denver & Santa Ana
When an AME asks for a psychological evaluation
AME-Requested Evaluation
Your Aviation Medical Examiner has requested a psychological evaluation following a disclosed mental health history.
Special Issuance
Your certification pathway requires evaluation as part of a Special Issuance authorization.
HIMS-Related Evaluation
Your HIMS AME or the FAA needs a psychological evaluation as part of a Special Issuance for a substance use or mental health history.
Recertification
You're returning to flying status and need a follow-up psychological evaluation as part of that process.
Not Sure What's Needed
You've received correspondence from the FAA or your AME and aren't sure exactly what's being asked of you.
Completed in person in Denver or Santa Ana
Unlike my video-based evaluations, this one is completed in person only, at my office in Denver, CO or Santa Ana, CA. Pilots do travel to me to complete it, especially those looking for a psychologist who is LGBTQ+ trained and affirming, and a member of the community. If you'll be traveling, mention it on your consultation call so we can plan the timing together.
Denver, Colorado
7900 East Union Avenue, 11th Floor
Denver, CO 80237
Santa Ana, California
106 W 4th Street, Third Floor
Santa Ana, CA 92782
Directions and maps for both offices are on the contact page.
I know what the FAA looks for in a report
As both a clinician and a former pilot, I understand the certification process from the inside, and I understand what is at stake for you. You need an accurate evaluation, and you need documentation that speaks the FAA's language and holds up to scrutiny.
I am also an FAA/HIMS trained aviation psychologist. HIMS is the FAA's program for evaluating and monitoring pilots with substance use and mental health histories, and the training covers the FAA's aeromedical standards, what an evaluation for certification has to address, and how the report is read once it reaches Aerospace Medicine. That is the framework I write to.
What the evaluation involves
Every case is different, so the specific scope of your evaluation depends on what the FAA or your AME has requested. In general, this includes:
Clinical Interview
A thorough clinical interview covering your relevant history and current functioning.
Standardized Measures
Any standardized measures called for by your specific situation and certification pathway.
Clinical Report
A clinical report addressing every item required for your certification pathway.
If you're not sure exactly what's been requested of you, bring your correspondence from the FAA or your AME to your free consultation call, and I'll help you understand what's needed before we schedule anything.
From your first call to the written report
Free 15-Minute Consultation
Bring your FAA or AME correspondence, and we'll go over exactly what's required for your certification pathway, and which office works best for you.
In-Person Interview & Testing
We complete the clinical interview and any required standardized measures in person at my Denver or Santa Ana office.
Clinical Report
I prepare a clinical report addressing every item your certification pathway requires, written to hold up to FAA scrutiny.
“You need an accurate evaluation, and you need documentation that speaks the FAA's language and holds up to scrutiny.”
— Dr. Corinne Votaw-Freer, PsyD
ADHD and gender dysphoria have their own pathways
If your situation involves ADHD or a gender dysphoria evaluation specifically, those pathways have their own pages, and both can usually be completed by secure video:
FAA ADHD Fast Track Evaluation
For pilots with an ADHD history going through aeromedical certification.
FAA Gender Dysphoria Evaluation
Meets the requirements of the FAA Gender Dysphoria Mental Health Status Report.
The fee covers the interview, testing, and report
The FAA Psychological Evaluation is $2650, billed as private pay and not submitted through insurance. It covers the in-person clinical interview, any required standardized measures, scoring and interpretation, and the written clinical report. There is no hourly billing and there are no per-test charges.
If you're experiencing financial hardship, reach out anyway. I'm glad to discuss options.
Questions pilots ask before booking
I'm not sure what my AME needs from me. What do I do?
Bring your correspondence from the FAA or your AME to your free consultation call, and I'll help you understand what's needed before we schedule anything.
How is this different from the ADHD Fast Track or Gender Dysphoria evaluations?
This covers general FAA-required psychological evaluations, for example after a disclosed mental health history or as part of a Special Issuance. If you need an ADHD Fast Track or Gender Dysphoria evaluation specifically, those follow their own FAA pathways and I'll get you set up with the right one during your consultation.
What does FAA/HIMS trained mean?
HIMS stands for Human Intervention Motivation Study. It is the FAA's program for getting pilots with substance use or mental health histories evaluated, treated, monitored, and back to flying. HIMS training for psychologists covers the FAA's aeromedical standards, the special issuance process, and what the FAA needs an evaluation report to contain. It does not make me an AME, and it does not mean I decide your certification. It means I know the process your evaluation is feeding into.
Can this be completed by video?
No. This evaluation is completed in person only, at my office in Denver, CO or Santa Ana, CA. The free consultation call beforehand is by phone or video, but the evaluation itself is in person.
I don't live near Denver or Santa Ana. Do people travel for this?
Yes, pilots regularly travel to me for this evaluation, especially those looking for a psychologist who is LGBTQ+ trained and affirming, and a member of the community. Mention your travel plans on the consultation call and we'll plan the timing together.
How much does it cost?
The evaluation is $2650, billed as private pay. That covers the in-person interview, any required standardized measures, and the written clinical report.
