It’s completely normal to feel anxious about psychological testing for an armed position, especially if you’ve never done it before. If you’re taking the MMPI, 16PF, or another personality test, here are a few things to know. I am Dr. Justin D’Arienzo, a clinical and forensic psychologist and former military psychologist, who has been conducting these evaluations for 20 years. Let me help ease some of your anxiety or pre-test jitters. First, don’t try to beat the test. These assessments can detect inconsistent responding, exaggerating, minimizing problems, or trying to look unrealistically perfect. Trying to find the “right” answer can create more concerns than simply answering honestly. Second, read carefully and answer based on who you really are. We are not looking for perfect people. Everyone experiences stress, frustration, sadness, anger, and anxiety. Normal human experiences do not automatically make someone unsuitable for armed work.
Featured Speaking Engagement Dr. D’Arienzo to Speak at GSX 2026 Setting the Standard for Armed Guard Psychological Evaluations Press Release: Dr. D’Arienzo will be speaking at GSX 2026 about setting the standard for armed guard psychological evaluations. See him in Atlanta, Georgia at the conference in September 2026. He will be comparing the Peace Officer […]
In high-stakes industries, a “pass/fail” result isn’t enough—you need a defensible clinical record. Dr. D’Arienzo utilizes the PsychFit™ System, a trademarked evaluation process that combines rigorous normative data with a personal clinical interview. Unlike automated services, Dr. D’Arienzo (a former Navy Psychologist) personally validates every candidate’s profile to ensure they are psychologically fit for duty, reducing liability for the individual and the hiring organization.
Psychological evaluations often bottleneck armed security hiring. PsychFit™ Systems eliminates delays with 24-hour results and 100% virtual flexibility in 42 states, helping you scale your firm and reduce liability.
After being an Executive Vistage member for three years, in 2022, I participated in and graduated from FSU’s Jim Moran Institute’s Global Entrepreneurship program (Jacksonville, Florida), an experience that meaningfully influenced how I operate and continued to grow my psychological firm. In January 2026, I returned to JMI not as a student, but as a presenter to deliver “Burnout to Bandwidth: Evidence-Based Psychology for Entrepreneurs and Executives.” Mental performance is not a luxury for leaders. It is vital for us to both survive and prosper. Entrepreneurs and executives operate under sustained cognitive load, high uncertainty, and constant decision pressure. Research consistently shows that business owners experience higher rates of anxiety, depression, burnout, and role overload than the general population, and unmanaged stress directly impairs judgment, innovation, leadership presence, and employee retention.
At the IASIR Conference, Dr. Justin D’Arienzo shared insights from over 5,000 armed security evaluations, calling for a unified national standard rooted in validity, accountability, and affordability. His dual-component model for assessing psychological stability and suitability offers a roadmap to strengthen safety, fairness, and professionalism across the private security industry.
This September, we attended the Associated Security Services and Investigators of the State of Texas (ASSIST) annual convention. We had the privilege to present about the standard process of MMPI testing and psychological evaluation for armed and unarmed security officers and guards, to ensure the psychologist being utilized by companies, is exercising a valid, effective, and accountable method.
D’Arienzo Psychology partners with Texas ISDs to enhance school safety by providing psychological evaluations and MMPI testing for their Guardian Programs. Our expert services ensure armed school staff are not only physically capable but also psychologically fit for their critical role. We offer a comprehensive and efficient process to help districts create a robust and secure environment for students and faculty.
D’Arienzo Psychology is a veteran-owned provider of psychological services for DoD, federal, and local agencies. We offer pre-employment and fitness-for-duty evaluations, secure virtual testing, and expert court-ready reports, licensed in 40+ states via PSYPACT.
Ensure Safety and Excellence with MMPI Testing for Security Guards. Psychological fitness is as vital as physical readiness for security guards. Discover how MMPI testing, paired with expert evaluations from Dr. Justin D’Arienzo, ensures guards are mentally fit and emotionally equipped to handle high-stress roles. Protect your organization, reduce liability, and boost public confidence with tailored psychological assessments. Find out more here!