Services

Types of Assessments Offered:

• Comprehensive. Assessments that simultaneously evaluate and address multiple presenting problems (e.g., social, emotional, developmental, behavioral, cognitive, and academic functioning). These are most useful for complex presenting concerns, that tend to involve questions about both mental health and learning. They are often useful for both treatment and school planning.
• Psychoeducational. Assessments where the primary focus is related to the learning needs of the client. These assessments tend to be most useful for school/academic planning, and we often work with the school to implement recommendations. Gifted assessments, as well as assessments designed specifically for evaluation of intellectual disabilities (e.g., for Developmental Services Ontario consideration) also fall under this umbrella.
• Social-emotional. Assessments where the primary focus is on the mental health needs, and there is no evaluation of the learning needs of the client. These assessments tend to be most useful for formulation and treatment planning purposes, when diagnostic clarity is needed for treatment planning, or when medical treatment options are being considered.

Disorders we Assess:

We assess neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., Learning Disabilities, Intellectual Disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), and mental health disorders (e.g., Depressive Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Trauma Related Disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Related Disorders) using current, best practices in assessment in every assessment. This service aids children and adolescents, as well as their caregivers and schools, in better understanding their mental health and learning needs.

Assessment Process:

Each assessment begins with an intake, during which the reasons for referral are discussed and a plan for the assessment is jointly developed. The assessment typically includes testing using standardized assessment tools, as well as clinical/diagnostic interviewing and the use of psychometrics (i.e., standardized questionnaires). Feedback is provided at the conclusion of the assessment, and a written report is provided. When appropriate, diagnostic opinions are offered. Reports includes individualized recommendations for intervention.

We offer free initial consultation with our intake workers. Our intake workers are registered social workers, who can provide you with telephone consultation to assist in determining suitability for our service and in collecting preliminary clinical information, which helps to streamline services once you meet with your therapist. Our intake workers can also provide you with some direction regarding what services we offer that might be the best fit for you or your child and answer any additional clinical questions that you might have prior to meeting your therapist. Following the consultation, either our intake worker or our administrative assistant can book your first appointment with a therapist.

If a more detailed consultation is necessary, we offer targeted mental health evaluations, providing families with immediate feedback regarding further diagnostic assessment and/or treatment direction. Consultative services are also offered to families seeking counsel or education regarding their child’s mental health. Consultations do not include an assessment of learning/academic needs.

We provide individual, family, and group psychotherapy. We have a number of therapists in our practice, who use the core elements of a range of evidenced informed practices to help meet the specific needs of children and adolescents (e.g., Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Emotion Focussed Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy).

Although our therapists are trained in multiple treatment modalities, we are largely known for our use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), in part, because it is the most widely researched and accepted treatment for the emotional disorders we tend to see in young people. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is based on the idea that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected, and that if we can make changes to any one of these three components, it influences the other two. That is, CBT focusses on challenging unhealthy/unhelpful ways of thinking, helping us to better understand and regulate our emotional experiences, and stopping the pattern of avoidance of our strong emotions. Note that the latter has likely been effective in the short term but has led to significant problems for us overtime. It is usually time limited (12-16 sessions) and can be done in both structured and unstructured/modular formats.