We have one of the largest and most highly trained teams of assessment specialists in the Edmonton region. Our level of training will help you feel confident in the results of the assessment, possible diagnoses, and treatment recommendations.
We pride ourselves on our level of expertise in the field, our focus on being helpful to our clients, and the level of detail and effort we put into each evaluation.
We have built a strong reputation in the community based on thousands of assessments and have numerous contracts with school boards, government agencies, and insurance companies.
Clarity Psychology offers high-quality individual assessments that help to bring transparency to the most complex issues. In many cases, parents are seeking out an assessment for a variety of reasons. If any of these concerns sound familiar to you, you may benefit from seeking out an assessment for your child:
At Clarity Psychology, we want to ensure you are comfortable with the assessment process. We offer free consultations before you book with us and will discuss the assessment process, cost, insurance coverage, and next steps.
We have one of the largest and most highly trained assessment teams in the
greater Edmonton region. We understand that in the mental health field “fit” is
important and we are able to provide our clients with numerous options when it
comes to selecting an assessing psychologist.
After completing the initial consultation, the assessing psychologist will select a range of assessment measures and tests (e.g., intellectual assessments, academic assessments, neuropsychological measures, behavioural questionnaires, mental health screeners). The assessment is conducted in a one-on-one setting. How long the assessment will take depends on the type of assessment and the referral concerns. It can range from a few hours to several days; breaks are offered as needed.
The assessing psychologist will write a detailed report with background information, test data and result, diagnoses and recommendations.
Once the report is completed our office will schedule a time to discuss the results of the assessment. These meetings can be conducted in-person, virtually, or over the phone. Our office will provide a PDF of the report, as well as paper copies if requested.
We are always available to answer additional questions, discuss the results with schools or family doctors, and complete forms or additional paperwork.
If you are uncertain about what a formal assessment with a psychologist is, we are here to walk you through the process and to ensure that you understand the purpose, process, and benefits of a formal assessment.
A common definition of a formal assessment is a structured assessment where standardised tests and questionnaires are administered to help answer specific referral questions. In most cases, formal assessments need to be conducted by Registered Psychologists with an expertise and specialised training in psychological testing, as many of the commonly administered tests can ONLY be administered by psychologists (e.g., intellectual assessment, neuropsychological tests, certain personality and behavioural inventories).
As noted, formal assessments are structured, time-intensive, and comprehensive, and often take many hours to complete, both in terms of the testing components of the assessment, as well as the report, which is often quite lengthy and provides detailed information (as well as recommendations) regarding strengths and weaknesses.
In most cases, assessments generally involve collecting information from a variety of sources, reviewing past medical and psychological information, interviewing clients (or others closely associated with the client, such as teachers and family members), and administering standardized assessment tools. Assessments often include intellectual testing (also known as IQ tests), academic evaluation, and other possible areas, such as receptive language, level of effort, and mental health symptomatology.
Once the assessment is completed, the assessor will compile all the information collected and complete a comprehensive report, which will include assessment results, diagnoses (based on DSM criteria), and valuable recommendations for those working with you, or your child.
The great news here is that no preparation is needed for most assessments. We may ask you to bring in previous psychological reports, medical documents, or other relevant information. However, in terms of the testing, the purpose of the assessment is to determine your current cognitive and academic skills and abilities, as well as current mental health status. Therefore, come as you are!
On the date of the assessment, you will enter our office and may be greeted by our office administrator. In most cases, questionnaires are sent out ahead of time and, as such, you may not be required to complete paperwork once you arrive at the office. We will show you into the office where the testing will take place and we generally encourage clients to bring snacks for longer appointments.
Once you are settled into the assessment room, the assessor will discuss the purpose of the assessment with you, go over consent, and answer any questions about the assessment process that you may have. We will generally spend additional time simply chatting and discussing interests with children, as this helps to build rapport and trust with the assessor.
Once you feel comfortable with the assessment, we generally begin testing. The duration of testing varies greatly depending on the type and purpose of the assessment. As an example, psychoeducational assessments with children generally take anywhere between 2-5 hours. Breaks are offered throughout the assessment, as well as a lunch break when needed. Children are welcome to visit with parents or caregivers as often as needed.
Once the assessment is completed, we may discuss some initial findings or observations, depending on the type of assessment. Payment is taken on the assessment date when we complete private assessments, and reports are usually completed within 2-4 weeks.
The short answer to this question is yes! We are able to administer most assessment batteries remotely using video chat software, screen sharing, and remote administration of psychological questionnaires. We follow all current guidelines around information privacy and security and continue to update our knowledge in this area through reading and workshops.
It is important to consider that tele-assessments vary somewhat from in-person assessments and that not all individuals are good candidates for completing these assessments. As an example, children who have significant attention issues or sensory impairments that would impact their ability to participate (e.g., vision impairments, speech and language challenges) may be better suited for in-person assessments. We carefully screen all clients before completing tele-assessments to determine if they will be a good fit.
It is also important to consider that some changes need to be made to facilitate remote administration of test batteries, and that the batteries used as part of these assessments may differ slightly from those used for in-person assessments. As an example, tests that rely heavily on the use of manipulatives are difficult to administer remotely, and therefore “substitutions” are necessary to swap one test for another.
No, you do not need a referral to complete a psychoeducational or psychological assessment. All you need to do to make an appointment is call or email our office!
The wait time for appointments will depend on several factors, including the type of assessment, time of year, and the clinician you are requesting. In most cases, we can generally book appointments 4-6 weeks from the initial consultation.
In some cases, schools are willing to have their in-house Psychologist (or private contractors) complete psychoeducational assessments. This can be a good option, especially considering the cost of completing assessments privately. However, it is important to consider some of the differences between having an assessment conducted through a school division and completing an assessment privately.
The main difference between private and school funded assessments is the amount of control a guardian has when completing an assessment privately. In this scenario, the guardian has control over who completes the assessment, as well as how much information they choose to share with schools, counsellors, or other individuals working with the child. When schools complete the assessment, they are considered “third party assessments” since the school has paid for the assessment, which limits the amount of control guardians have over the report and information collected.
Another common concern for parents is wait-times. Although wait-times can vary when completing assessments through a school division, it is not uncommon for parents to wait over a year before their child is assessed. This can waste valuable time in terms of intervention opportunities, as we know that early intervention is critical for supporting children with learning challenges and mental health issues. At Clarity Psychology, we can generally complete assessments within 6-weeks from booking the appointment.
A Psychometrist is an individual who specializes in the administration and scoring of standardized psychological assessment measures. In many cases, these individuals have a background in psychology. At Clarity Psychology, we often use Psychometrists to complete the testing aspect of the assessment, although it is always the responsibility of the Registered Psychologist you are working with to interpret the test results and to write the final report. If a Psychometrist is used to complete testing, this will be made clear prior to booking an appointment. In addition, these individuals are required to follow the same policies around confidentiality and privacy as Registered Psychologists.
It is important to note that Clarity Psychology does not currently complete assessments for custody access purposes. We require the consent of the legal guardian, parent, divorced parent with legal standing, or appointed care-manager as authorized by law. It is important to note that step-parents, grandparents, significant others, family friends, and/or caregivers cannot provide consent for psychological assessments.
In cases of divorce and separation, we generally attempt to obtain consent from both parents, as this helps to engage all interested parties and to ensure that the assessment and recommendations are understood by all caregivers. In some cases, we may ask to see documentation of custody before completing an assessment.
#201 - 9807 34 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB
Clarity Psychology acknowledges that our clinic and staff reside on Treaty 6 territory, the traditional gathering place of Indigenous peoples, including the Cree, Saulteaux, Blackfoot, Métis, Dene, Nakota Sioux, and others. We acknowledge that these lands were colonised in reprehensible ways. We are committed to continuing acts of reconciliation to repair the harm unfairly forced upon those who are the true stewards of this land.
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