Clarity, Compassion, and Science. It’s What Sets Us Apart
Dedicated to diagnostic excellence, compassionate care, and evaluations that empower individuals and families with answers.
Who we are
Guiding You Toward Mental Wellness and Growth
Not knowing why you or your child is struggling can feel overwhelming. Questions turn into worry, uncertainty, and frustration. Our goal is to replace those questions with answers you can trust and a clear path forward.
At Core Spring Diagnostics, we provide comprehensive psychological and neuropsychological evaluations for children, teens, and adults. Our goal isn't just to provide a diagnosis. It's to help you better understand yourself or your loved one, giving you the clarity, direction, and confidence to move forward with the right support.
Every person has a unique story, and every evaluation should reflect that. That's why each evaluation is handled by one psychologist from start to finish, allowing for a truly personalized approach. We take the time to understand each individual's strengths, challenges, and experiences, so you're not left with just a diagnosis, but a deeper understanding of what it means and where to go from here. Our goal is for every family to leave with meaningful answers, practical recommendations, and the confidence to get the proper care and support they deserve.
At Core Spring Diagnostics, we provide comprehensive psychological and neuropsychological evaluations for children, teens, and adults. Our goal isn't just to provide a diagnosis. It's to help you better understand yourself or your loved one, giving you the clarity, direction, and confidence to move forward with the right support.
Every person has a unique story, and every evaluation should reflect that. That's why each evaluation is handled by one psychologist from start to finish, allowing for a truly personalized approach. We take the time to understand each individual's strengths, challenges, and experiences, so you're not left with just a diagnosis, but a deeper understanding of what it means and where to go from here. Our goal is for every family to leave with meaningful answers, practical recommendations, and the confidence to get the proper care and support they deserve.
Gold-Standard Diagnostic Tools
We use clinically validated, gold-standard tools to ensure every diagnosis is accurate, reliable, and rooted in the latest psychological science.
Why Families and Individuals Trust Core Springs Diagnostics
We combine clinical excellence with compassionate care to deliver diagnostic evaluations that are accurate, actionable, and respectful of each individual’s unique journey. No guesswork, just answers you can trust.
Comprehensive, Evidence-Based Evaluation
We use gold-standard tools backed by science to ensure diagnostic accuracy every time.
Personalized Care for All Ages
Evaluations are tailored to your age, needs, and personal concerns. Never one size fits all.
Fast Turnaround with Clear Next Steps
We deliver timely reports and help you understand what comes next with confidence.
School & Legal-Ready Reports
Reports are written clearly for schools, doctors, and legal purposes. They’re ready for action.
Meet our team
Trusted Psychologists Providing Personalized Evaluation
Loretta Markus, Psy.D.
Loretta Markus, Psy.D., is a Wisconsin-licensed psychologist with more than a decade of experience in the field of psychology. She earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from John F. Kennedy University and has built much of her career around psychological assessment, diagnostic clarification, and complex evaluations.
Dr. Markus specializes in comprehensive evaluations for autism, ADHD, behavioral and emotional concerns, and more complex cases where an especially in-depth assessment may be needed. Her extensive background working with complicated clinical presentations gives her the experience to recognize overlapping symptoms, dig deeper when the answer is not immediately clear, and provide a comprehensive understanding of each individual’s needs.
Dr. Markus specializes in comprehensive evaluations for autism, ADHD, behavioral and emotional concerns, and more complex cases where an especially in-depth assessment may be needed. Her extensive background working with complicated clinical presentations gives her the experience to recognize overlapping symptoms, dig deeper when the answer is not immediately clear, and provide a comprehensive understanding of each individual’s needs.
Amy Asher, Psy.D.
Amy Asher, Psy.D., earned her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Wisconsin School of Professional Psychology and has built much of her clinical experience around working with children, adolescents, and families. She has specialized experience with autism, ADHD, emotional regulation, behavioral concerns, learning difficulties, and the ways these challenges can impact a child both at home and in school.
Dr. Asher’s background in therapeutic day schools, community mental health, and psychological assessment gives her a unique understanding of the whole child, including their emotional, behavioral, social, and academic functioning. She is especially skilled at working with children who may have complex needs or difficulty with traditional testing and brings a patient, individualized approach to helping families better understand what their child needs to thrive.
Dr. Asher’s background in therapeutic day schools, community mental health, and psychological assessment gives her a unique understanding of the whole child, including their emotional, behavioral, social, and academic functioning. She is especially skilled at working with children who may have complex needs or difficulty with traditional testing and brings a patient, individualized approach to helping families better understand what their child needs to thrive.
Joy Higgins Psy.D.
Joy Higgins Psy.D. has a diverse clinical background, working with individuals across a wide range of psychological, behavioral, and emotional concerns. She earned her doctorate in psychology from California Southern University and brings extensive clinical experience, along with a unique perspective shaped by 20 years of decorated service in the United States Air Force as a combat veteran.
Throughout her clinical training and practice, Dr. Higgins has worked extensively with individuals experiencing ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, OCD, anxiety, depression, PTSD, panic attacks, anger, relationship difficulties, and other complex concerns. Her experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds and with overlapping symptoms allows her to approach psychological evaluations with a broad clinical perspective and a strong understanding of how different conditions can present in everyday life.
Throughout her clinical training and practice, Dr. Higgins has worked extensively with individuals experiencing ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, OCD, anxiety, depression, PTSD, panic attacks, anger, relationship difficulties, and other complex concerns. Her experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds and with overlapping symptoms allows her to approach psychological evaluations with a broad clinical perspective and a strong understanding of how different conditions can present in everyday life.
Nahry Minars
Intake Coordinator/Educational Liaison
Nahry is often the first point of contact for individuals and families. She works closely with each person to understand their needs and guide them to the right services, helping every interaction feel easy and welcoming.
As a mom of three, Nahry brings deep empathy and understanding to her role. With over 20 years in healthcare and 18 years of personal experience navigating the mental health space, she combines professional insight with lived experience to help people feel heard, supported, and confident in their next step.
As a mom of three, Nahry brings deep empathy and understanding to her role. With over 20 years in healthcare and 18 years of personal experience navigating the mental health space, she combines professional insight with lived experience to help people feel heard, supported, and confident in their next step.
Jeffrey Gagliardi
SSP
Jeffrey Gagliardi, SSP, is an experienced School Psychologist with nearly a decade of experience serving students and families throughout southeastern Wisconsin. He specializes in comprehensive psychoeducational evaluations and has extensive expertise in academic, behavioral, and social-emotional assessment, as well as special education and school-based intervention planning.
Jeff works closely with families to provide meaningful diagnostic insights and practical recommendations, helping them better understand their child’s strengths, challenges, and educational needs. His deep knowledge of school systems and collaborative approach make him a valuable resource for families navigating the evaluation process.
Jeff works closely with families to provide meaningful diagnostic insights and practical recommendations, helping them better understand their child’s strengths, challenges, and educational needs. His deep knowledge of school systems and collaborative approach make him a valuable resource for families navigating the evaluation process.
Dr. Loretta Markus, Psy.D.
Dr. Loretta Markus, Psy.D., is a Wisconsin-licensed psychologist with a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from John F. Kennedy University. She has extensive experience conducting psychological and neuropsychological evaluations across multiple domains, serving diverse populations throughout her career. Skilled in gold-standard evaluation for autism, ADHD, learning disorders, and mood concerns. Dr. Markus brings both expertise and compassion to every evaluation.
Dr. Amy Asher, Psy.D.
Dr. Amy Asher earned her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Wisconsin School of Professional Psychology and has extensive experience providing evaluations and therapy for children, teens, and adults. With specialized training in autism, emotional regulation, and behavioral challenges, she brings compassion and expertise to every client and family she works with.
Nahry Minars
Intake Coordinator/Educational Liaison
Nahry is often the first point of contact for individuals and families. She works closely with each person to understand their needs and guide them to the right services, helping every interaction feel easy and welcoming.
As a mom of three, Nahry brings deep empathy and understanding to her role. With over 20 years in healthcare and 18 years of personal experience navigating the mental health space, she combines professional insight with lived experience to help people feel heard, supported, and confident in their next step.
Jeffrey Gagliardi
SSP
Jeffrey Gagliardi, SSP, is an experienced School Psychologist with nearly a decade of experience serving students and families throughout southeastern Wisconsin. He specializes in comprehensive psychoeducational evaluations and has extensive expertise in academic, behavioral, and social-emotional assessment, as well as special education and school-based intervention planning.
Jeff works closely with families to provide meaningful diagnostic insights and practical recommendations, helping them better understand their child’s strengths, challenges, and educational needs. His deep knowledge of school systems and collaborative approach make him a valuable resource for families navigating the evaluation process.
Jeff works closely with families to provide meaningful diagnostic insights and practical recommendations, helping them better understand their child’s strengths, challenges, and educational needs. His deep knowledge of school systems and collaborative approach make him a valuable resource for families navigating the evaluation process.
