Psychological Assessment, Diagnosis, Letters of Support, and Forms
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Therapists at Advance Health provide therapy to assist our clients. Our priority is on providing treatment. Given the nature of our work, the expertise of our therapists, and our desire to help – we often receive requests for mental health diagnosis, psychological evaluation, letters of accommodation or support, and related documentation. Examples include:
recommending time off work,
determination of short or long-term disability,
providing exemptions for vaccination,
requiring emotional support animals during travel,
supporting refugee status due to past trauma or risk of future harm, and
prescribing academic accommodations and exemptions.
Despite recommendations by your doctor, legal advisor, employer, or others that you obtain this from a registered psychologist or other regulated healthcare provider — it is possible we cannot provide what you are seeking. If you have a similar recommendation or concern, please discuss this with Intake and your therapist in the first session so we can determine whether we are able to assist. We do not wish to waste your time or money or disappoint you due to misunderstandings.
Can I Obtain a Psychological Assessment and/or a Mental Health Diagnosis (DSM-5)?
The therapists at our clinic who are qualified to render a mental health diagnosis will do so, within their area of expertise.
Determining the presence of a diagnosable mental health condition involves a comprehensive psychological assessment that requires on average 10 hours of work. This includes:
intake interview,
clinical interview,
psychometric testing,
collateral information/document review (if relevant),
data analysis/case conceptualization,
report writing, and
client feedback interview concerning findings.
The cost for a psychological assessment is on average $2000.
Self-funded assessments must be paid in advance of discussing the findings and release of the report.
Third party-funded assessments do not begin until written confirmation of funding is received (e.g., extended health insurance, employers, Veterans Affairs, auto insurance, workers compensation, etc.).
The purpose and specific questions are to be determined before beginning the assessment. New questions cannot be added after the assessment has commenced unless there is a reconsideration of whether the assessment can proceed (can the question be addressed?), the requirement of additional work, and determination of additional fees. Assessments abandonned before completion will incur fees to be paid for the amount of therapist’s time spent.
Our psychological assessments are typically undertaken for treatment planning purposes, that is, to establish the need for, focus of, and nature of treatment and to provide a rational for funding treatment. Note: A physician referral and comprehensive psychological assessment with formal diagnosis are not required to begin psychotherapy. In all cases, the first session with your therapist, regardless of licensing credential, includes an evaluation of your presenting concern and review of relevant background information.
Requests for psychological assessment and diagnosis related to questions or disagreements about workplace disability, need for accommodation (e.g., work or school), and/or eligibility for other supports, exemptions, and other funding should be undertaken at other facilities or clinics specializing in these matters (e.g., Independent Evaluation Centres).
Are There Limits to Virtual/Video Conference Assessment?
Advancements in recent years has led to approved standardized methods to administer tests such as the BDI-II, MCMI-IV, MMPI-3, and PAI (and many other tests) in a video-conference format. These and other tests are a critical part a comprehensive psychodiagnostic assessment (e.g., for anxiety, mood, obsessive-compulsive, psychotic, trauma, personality, and somatic disorders). Virtual assessments are conducted via video conference, with psychometric tests using Remote On Screen Administration and proctored by PIPEDA/PHIPA compliant technology with end-to-end encryption.
The majority of our work with clients is conducted online through video-conference (with limited in-person psychotherapy at our GTA office).
Due to the cognitive testing required (e.g., intelligence, memory, academic achievement), certain psychological assessments must be conducted in-person. We do not conduct these commonly requested assessments:
ADHD Assessment (requires an in-person Clinical/Psycho-educational Assessment by a Clinical/School Psychologist)
Brain Injury Assessment (requires an in-person Neuropsychological Assessment by a Neuropsychologist)
Learning Disability Assessment (requires an in-person Psycho-educational assessment by a School Psychologist)
Some of our therapists provide psychotherapy for the emotional and behavioral aspects of ADHD, brain injury, and learning disabilities. However, we do not offer formal psychological assessments (including history, testing, and diagnosis) for these conditions.
Will You Write a Letter of Support?
An individual struggling emotionally or having difficulty coping can be provided with a Letter of Support from their health care provider. Clients can present this letter to their employer, academic institution, or elsewhere to support the clients request for special consideration.
Our therapists are able to provide our existing clients with a Letter of Support. A Letter of Support is only provided after a client has attended at least six sessions of psychotherapy over a minimum of eight weeks (2 months). New clients desiring a Letter of Support after these minimums should discuss this with their therapist upon beginning therapy.
A Letter of Support is brief, that is, typically one page in length. Here is an example:
CLIENT NAME has been attending psychotherapy provided by me. I am a Registered Psychotherapist/Social Worker/Psychologist/Practicum Student at Advance Health. He/she/they attended X number of sessions between DATE and DATE. CLIENT NAME presents with significant levels of emotional distress that negatively influences their day-to-day functioning, in particular at work, during class lecture and study time, in their relationships, and in their home life. Their reported challenges include difficulties in -----------. They would benefit from further therapy. CLIENT NAME intends to continue in psychotherapy with me to work through and resolve these issues. Any accommodations or other considerations that can be made concerning CLIENT NAME’s work / school / other commitments will be beneficial in assisting him/her/them during this challenging time.
As seen in the example, a Letter of Support does not imply a comprehensive assessment and does not involve communication of a diagnosis.
Ideally the essential content of the letter is reviewed with the client in one of their regularly scheduled therapy sessions prior to release of the letter.
The fee for preparing and releasing a Letter of Support is equivalent to one session of therapy.
The letter is not released until the fee for the letter and outstanding fees are paid.
Are You Able to Complete Forms Requesting Support or Accommodation?
Determination of ability to complete other forms are made by the therapist on a case-by-case basis.
Decisions as to whether the therapist is able to complete the form (and the cost for doing so) is based on the nature of the information requested, the qualifications of the therapist, and other factors.
Forms cannot be completed on an urgent basis, e.g., within 48 hours, or without a stable treatment history, e.g., after only one or two sessions.
The fee for completing a Form may vary (typically equivalent to one session of therapy). The Form is not released until this and all outstanding fees are paid.
Often these forms must be completed by a family doctor (“attending physician”) or other treatment provider who has a long-standing (e.g., years) treatment history with the client (e.g., Attending Physician’s Statement, Functional Abilities Evaluation).
We are focused on providing therapy to assist our clients. Please contact us to discuss your needs.
Therapists Serving Alberta
Therapists Serving British Columbia
Therapists Serving Ontario
With video therapy you can connect anywhere.
Our therapists live in Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario.
We serve Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario.
Reach out now. Our Intake Coordinator will answer your questions about psychological assessment, diagnosis, letters, and forms.