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Expert Assessments Tailored to You

At Cirrus Psychology, we specialize in providing quality assessments that are comprehensive, functional and based on the highest standards of evidence and research. Our team of highly trained and passionate therapists is dedicated to working collaboratively with you to address the core issues and concerns of each individual.

Our commitment to the full assessment process means we go beyond the initial intake to highlight presenting issues and use valid and reliable measures to uncover underlying patterns. The final step involves partnering with you and any referring parties to develop practical steps for building capacity and achieving holistic well-being.

Keep reading to discover how an assessment could be beneficial for you or your child.

"Creating Positive Change Through Understanding"

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Creating Positive Change Through Understanding

What is assessment?

Assessment is a systematic, formalized way to determine how an individual is functioning. Psychological assessment compares a person to others who are similar to them, often in age and sometimes in other ways (e.g., life experiences). This is an important feature of psychological assessment.

Common reasons to get an assessment
  • Behaviour problems
  • Emotional dysregulation
  • Learning problems
  • Difficulties with learning
  • “Knowing” what to do but struggling to “do it”
  • Nightmares/flashbacks
  • Intrusive thoughts that have become extremely difficult to control
  • When treatment is not working!
Often, assessment can be thought of like turning the lights on in a dark room. If what you are doing is working, then keep doing it. But if what you are doing does not seem to be helpful and you are spinning in circles with your professional and personal supports, then assessment might help you clarify what is going on and what might help.
– The goal of assessment is to help the person gain insight and awareness into their “referral question” (why they asked for assessment)
– Recommendations are where it’s at! This is a comprehensive list of a range of ideas that might offer some help and benefit. It is like your roadmap for what is next now that we have this new information
– At the end of the assessment, you will receive a comprehensive report that includes all the data and information collected, any relevant diagnostic conclusions, additional relevant interpretive information, and recommendations
– Every assessment starts with a clinical interview that is structured to gather a range of background information. This will include everything from basic developmental information, family history, social relationships, to mood, behaviour, and education & work (and sometimes even more!) 
– Often the clinical interview will be specific and different for each person based on their reasons for assessment
– Formal testing – this will be a range of possible in-person testing and online (email) administration. The testing selected will be reviewed with the client at the end of the interview and a plan will be made. It will be determined in each case based on what questions are being asked. 
– There may be more information required as the process goes along. Psychological assessment can be kind of like a puzzle – sometimes we gather all the pieces quickly and they go together as expected, but sometimes partway through we realize we need more pieces to complete the puzzle. As part of consent, you will be included in a discussion about this. 
– The process ends with a debrief appointment where the report contents are reviewed, diagnosis (if appropriate) is explained, and you can ask questions. You will take your report with you after this appointment.
– Learning disabilities 
– ADHD
– Autism 
– traumatic injury/PTSD
– emotional and behaviour disorders 
– intellectual disability
– personality disorders
– developmental queries
– ages include children, adolescents, and adults 

Are you or your child struggling with focus, social interactions, or sensory sensitivities? These challenges can make everyday life and academic performance difficult, leading to confusion and frustration about where to seek help.

A psychological assessment can provide clarity by using standardized tests and questionnaires to gather detailed information about behaviour, cognitive abilities, and emotional functioning. This assessment helps determine if an individual meets the diagnostic criteria for conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), as well as personality disorders (e.g., Borderline Personality Disorder, Narcissistic Personality Disorder)as outlined in the DSM-5.

After the assessment, you’ll receive a comprehensive report that explains the findings and offers specific recommendations. This may include strategies for managing symptoms, educational accommodations, and resources for further support. With this information, you can take practical steps to improve daily functioning and overall well-being.

Are you or your child having a hard time figuring out why there’s trouble with schoolwork? It’s common to feel frustrated or confused about academic performance, and it can be tough to know where to seek help. (This can be applicable to students from elementary all the way through post secondary years) 

A psychoeducational assessment is a way to figure out what’s going on with your learning. This process uses various tools, like tests and questionnaires, to gather information about your academic strengths and challenges. Unlike psychological assessments that look at broader mental health issues, psychoeducational assessments focus specifically on learning and education. They help identify issues that might be affecting your ability to learn, such as specific learning disabilities or attention problems.

After the assessment, you’ll have a clearer picture of your academic needs and any challenges you might be facing. Leave with a better understanding of your learning style and any difficulties you might have, along with recommendations for strategies and resources to help you succeed. This way, you can take practical steps to improve your study habits, seek out appropriate support, and work towards your academic goals more effectively.

Do you or a loved one need assistance with personal or financial decision-making? When adults face challenges in making important decisions, it can be crucial to determine their capacity to do so.

A capacity assessment evaluates an individual’s ability to understand and manage personal and financial matters. This involves a thorough evaluation of cognitive and functional abilities through interviews, observations, and standardized tests. The assessment helps determine if someone requires assistance in decision-making or if documents like Power of Attorney (POA) need to be activated.

Gain a deeper understanding into one’s capacity to make decisions with greater clarity on the level of assistance needed and receive recommendations for next steps. This ensures that you or your loved one can receive the necessary support to manage personal and financial affairs effectively.

Are you or your child struggling with focus, social interactions, or sensory sensitivities? These challenges can make everyday life and academic performance difficult, leading to confusion and frustration about where to seek help.

A psychological assessment can provide clarity by using standardized tests and questionnaires to gather detailed information about behaviour, cognitive abilities, and emotional functioning. This assessment helps determine if an individual meets the diagnostic criteria for conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), as well as personality disorders (e.g., Borderline Personality Disorder, Narcissistic Personality Disorder)as outlined in the DSM-5.

After the assessment, you’ll receive a comprehensive report that explains the findings and offers specific recommendations. This may include strategies for managing symptoms, educational accommodations, and resources for further support. With this information, you can take practical steps to improve daily functioning and overall well-being.

Are you or your child having a hard time figuring out why there’s trouble with schoolwork? It’s common to feel frustrated or confused about academic performance, and it can be tough to know where to seek help. (This can be applicable to students from elementary all the way through post secondary years) 

A psychoeducational assessment is a way to figure out what’s going on with your learning. This process uses various tools, like tests and questionnaires, to gather information about your academic strengths and challenges. Unlike psychological assessments that look at broader mental health issues, psychoeducational assessments focus specifically on learning and education. They help identify issues that might be affecting your ability to learn, such as specific learning disabilities or attention problems.

After the assessment, you’ll have a clearer picture of your academic needs and any challenges you might be facing. Leave with a better understanding of your learning style and any difficulties you might have, along with recommendations for strategies and resources to help you succeed. This way, you can take practical steps to improve your study habits, seek out appropriate support, and work towards your academic goals more effectively.

Do you or a loved one need assistance with personal or financial decision-making? When adults face challenges in making important decisions, it can be crucial to determine their capacity to do so.

A capacity assessment evaluates an individual’s ability to understand and manage personal and financial matters. This involves a thorough evaluation of cognitive and functional abilities through interviews, observations, and standardized tests. The assessment helps determine if someone requires assistance in decision-making or if documents like Power of Attorney (POA) need to be activated.

Gain a deeper understanding into one’s capacity to make decisions with greater clarity on the level of assistance needed and receive recommendations for next steps. This ensures that you or your loved one can receive the necessary support to manage personal and financial affairs effectively.

*In all forms of assessment, the aim is to help create personalized recommendations for the individual (and their school, family, treatment team, etc) that help the individual reach their specific goals.

“Nothing is impossible, The word itself says “I’m possible”

“Nothing is impossible,
The word itself says “I’m possible”

Audrey Hepburn