Assessments.
I offer formal assessments to all Albertans—either virtually or in person.
I get it, formal assessments can feel a little overwhelming and even vulnerable. It’s totally normal for tough memories or feelings to come up during the process. My goal is to make the whole experience feel supportive and centered on you—the real human behind the assessment.
I approach assessments through a non-pathologizing lens, which basically means I’m not here to slap on a label but to help you better understand your experiences and how you navigate life. The hope? That you’ll build a deeper connection with yourself and open the door to more self-compassion.
If you’re thinking about a formal assessment, feel free to reach out for a consultation. We can chat about what you’re looking for and figure out which type of assessment fits best for you.
At the end of the day, I’m about treating the symptoms—not just the label. But I also honour that sometimes, a label can bring a lot of clarity and validation. Whatever answers you’re searching for, I’m here to help you find them.
Tips for your upcoming assessment:
dress comfortably, you can almost guarantee I’ll be in athleisurewear or something similarly comfy, and I encourage you to do the same!
if you have a favorite snack or beverage, please feel free to bring them with you (we offer snacks, tea, water and Bubly at the office)
if you can, book off the day from work or avoiding scheduling a busy day, assessments can take a lot out of you and it’s encouraged to allow for a gentle, relaxed day.
What to expect
It’s normal to feel a bit nervous about therapy,
and the same goes for assessments.
The first step is to book a consultation—this is where we have a relaxed chat about what questions you’re hoping to answer and figure out which assessment might be the best fit for you. During this time, we’ll go over:
What the process looks like
The risks and benefits
Your rights around confidentiality and consent
The full timeline from start to finish
The cost and any need to knows regarding insurance (if applicable)
What kind of stuff we’ll cover during the clinical interview
If you decide to move forward with an assessment, it’s pretty common to complete a quick screener during the consultation. This helps me get some initial info to guide the next steps.
Once we’re clear on which assessment fits best, we’ll book a clinical interview and testing appointments. The length can vary depending on the assessment, and sometimes we need a few sessions to get everything done. I’ll work with you to find times that fit your schedule and energy levels—I’m neurospicy myself, so I totally get how sitting for long stretches and staying focused can be tricky. Plus, many of the tests happen on a computer, and let’s be honest—screen fatigue is real.
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Motor Vehicle Accidents (MVAs)
Motor vehicle accidents can have a lasting impact on the physical body, requiring months if not years of rehabilitative work with chiropractors, physiotherapists and other practitioners. Often we forget the mental injury that can occur because it isn't visible, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t there. Did you know that you may be able to get covered for psychology sessions by your insurance if you’ve been in an MVA?
MVA assessments provide an in depth understanding of the impact that the injury has had on your psyche, informing further treatment options, which often are not made clear. The reports can be submitted to your insurance company, along with treatment recommendations.
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Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Did you struggle at school when you were younger? Are you struggling at home or work to stay on task? Do you find it hard to sit still, focus, concentrate? Maybe procrastination is a familiar strategy for you, or walking into a room and forgetting what you went in there for. While these symptoms can be indicative of other presentations, they may also have you wondering if you have ADHD.
I conduct ADHD assessments for adults which can provide clarity regarding your experience in the world to date and offer support for the future. Reports include treatment recommendations, a break down of executive function struggles and associated resources and strategies where applicable.
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Trauma/PTSD
Trauma has a lasting impact on those who experience it, affecting mental health, social interactions, physical health, mood, coping abilities and function. Trauma does not have to be a single traumatic event but can be a collection of difficult experiences over a period of time. Such events can include car accidents, natural disasters, physical or emotional abuse, sexual abuse, assault, neglect and workplace accidents, to name a few.
It is important to be aware of the presence of trauma because of it's large scale impact on our human experiences. These assessments screen for trauma related symptoms as well as other symptoms that may be co-occurring to help with further understanding of what you are experiencing, and to inform treatment recommendations.
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Psychosocial/Mood
Moments of irritability, sadness, or worry are all part of the human experience, but sometimes we get stuck in these and they can make our lives more difficult. There may be a history of personality disorders, mood disorders or other mental health struggles in your family that drive the interest in a psychosocial or mood assessment, or maybe it was recommended to you by a health practitioner. Either way, these assessments can be incredibly informative to further your understanding of how you’re experiencing life and why some things may feel more difficult than those around you.
These assessments look at the physical, mental/emotional and social aspects of your life to provide further clarity and understanding of your struggles, along with treatment recommendations.