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Registered Psychologists are Regulated Health Professionals who have specialized training and expertise in assessment and treatment and are qualified to provide a formal diagnosis for a variety of developmental, learning, and mental health conditions.          

Psychotherapists are Regulated Health Professionals who are focused on using talk therapy to help clients to navigate various challenges in their lives.  They typically have post-graduate degrees in mental health or psychology.         

Social Workers are Regulated Health Professionals who work with individuals, couples, and families to promote improvements in mental health and emotional well-being.  They work with clients to develop strategies to address the challenges that the client may be experiencing.         

Psychometrists are professionals who assist psychologists in completing parts of comprehensive psychological assessments.  They work directly with clients to gather information and data.         

For more information about any of our professionals, please click their photo or name.         

No.  Anyone can self-refer to see a practitioner on our team.  However, for clients who plan to use their extended-health benefits to cover the cost of the services, their plan might require a physician referral to access that coverage.  Clients who plan to use extended-health benefits should check the requirements of their individual plans to see if a physician referral is needed. 

Psychology, psychotherapy, and assessment are generally not covered by OHIP.  Many group health insurance programs through an employer provide some coverage for these services.  We provide receipts once payment is received that can by submitted to an insurance provider for reimbursement.

The main form of payment is e-transfer.  Some practitioners in the office offer credit card and debit payment.  Please check with the admin team at the time of booking regarding forms of payment accepted by your practitioner.

Psychologists differ from other mental health professionals in their training, which allows them to provide services that cannot be provided by other mental health professionals.  While psychologists and other mental health professionals can provide treatment, such as counselling, psychotherapy, and parental guidance, psychologists are trained to provide assessments and make a diagnosis (such as a diagnosis of a learning disability, neurodevelopmental disorder, or other mental health condition).

Psychologists and Psychiatrists have different training. Most psychologists have a PhD in Clinical Psychology, which has required 5 to 7 years of graduate-level education and training and a year-long internship of full-time clinical work.  Once graduated, they engage in an extended licensing process involving supervision from a registered psychologist and completion of multiple exams to earn their license to practice independently.

Psychiatrists have a medical degree and then complete a 4-7 year residency program in psychiatry.  

Both psychologists and psychiatrists are qualified to make a diagnosis, and both usually have training to provide psychological treatment.  A major focus of work for most psychiatrists is medication consultation whereas psychologists focus on assessment/diagnosis and psychological treatment.

Psychologists are not currently able to prescribe medication.  Family physicians and psychiatrists are typically able to prescribe medications for psychological symptoms.

Yes, we do, though the process for this varies from situation to situation.

The Disability Tax Credit application requires that the psychologist has up-to-date, relevant information on file for every year that the person has experienced impairment related to the disability.  

If the psychologist has access to very recent/updated assessment and/or treatment information regarding the application (for example, a recent assessment completed within the past year or regular treatment contact for an extended period), then the application might be completed with limited additional assessment required.  However, in some cases updated assessment or extensive review of current or past clinical information is required to complete the application.

The estimated cost for this service is determined on a case-by-case basis and is based on the number of hours of work that will be required.

 The decision to obtain a psychological assessment for yourself or your child is usually based on the need for greater understanding of aspects of learning, behaviour, or emotional functioning that impact the ability to manage the demands of school, work, relationships, or daily living.  Often an assessment is recommended by school personnel or a health professional with the goal of identifying any relevant diagnoses and the associated interventions or supports that are needed.

Different assessments share some things in common, but each assessment is tailored to the particular questions that are being asked.

A psychoeducational assessment focuses mainly on the assessment of academic functioning and educational concerns, while a psychological assessment is a more comprehensive assessment that also evaluates the socio-emotional and behavioural functioning of the person. 

Our assessments are most often comprehensive psychological assessments which allow us to look at both educational concerns and broad patterns that are relevant for diagnosis of a mental health concern or other psychological condition (such as ADHD or ASD).

There is high demand for our assessments, which means that we usually have a waitlist.  We work hard to keep this as short as possible.  Often the waitlist is in the range of 6 to 12 months.  You will be advised of the estimated wait time when you make your referral.

Yes, we do.  For children and adolescents who are having a comprehensive psychological assessment completed, we include screening for specific ADHD-related symptoms and will complete any additional testing needed to make a diagnosis of ADHD where it is warranted.  For adults, assessment for ADHD is usually discussed at the time of the referral and will be included as a focus of the assessment on a case-by-case basis.

Yes, we do.  Our comprehensive assessments include screening for specific ASD-related symptoms.  If we determine that there are concerns regarding possible ASD, additional focused assessment for ASD can be included as part of the assessment.  On occasion this means additional tests will be needed, and this will be discussed with you as part of the process.

At the end of the assessment, we usually meet with parents/individuals for a feedback session to discuss the results and recommendations in depth.  A detailed written report outlining the findings and recommendations from the assessment is then produced, which can be shared the with the school and/or other health professionals.  We also offer the option of a feedback meeting with the school or other health professionals when requested/needed.

Although some parts of the assessment, such as interviews, can be completed virtually at the discretion of the psychologist completing the assessment, we are unable to provide fully online psychological assessments because many of the tests we use as part of an assessment can only be completed in-person.

The wait time to see a practitioner varies depending on the timing of the referral, the type/modality of treatment required, and the practitioner who is requested.  You will be advised of the wait time at the time of the referral.  Often treatment is available within 2 to 4 weeks with someone from our team.

The number of sessions needed depends greatly on the nature of the problem and the complexity of the concerns.  Many clients experience some relief/improvement in 4-6 sessions. 

Most treatment-outcome studies evaluating the benefits of psychological treatment are based on treatments involving at least 12 to 16 sessions.

No, a formal assessment is not required prior to staring therapy.  However, most practitioners use the initial stages of treatment as an informal “assessment” period, which helps them to identify the goals of therapy and the treatment approach that is needed.  This informal assessment that is part of therapy is not the same as a comprehensive psychological assessment.

If a comprehensive assessment is deemed necessary or helpful once therapy has started, your mental health professional will discuss this with you and create a plan.

Yes, all of our therapists provide online/virtual or phone therapy.