Wayfound Assessment Clinic
Welcome to the Wayfound Assessment Clinic where understanding the brain and behaviour is our expertise. Our dedicated professionals utilize cutting-edge standardized assessment measures to provide comprehensive insights into your mental health and overall functioning. Discover a path to self-awareness and well-being through our personalized evaluations and compassionate care.
For Adults
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Safeguard Assessments:
Intended specifically for public safety personnel (e.g. firefighters, EMS workers, etc.), these assessments are geared to appraise public safety personnel’s mental health status, such as the presence of symptoms of anxiety, depression, or Posttraumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD). The importance of this type of evaluation can’t be understated given our understanding about the mental health risks associated with this line of work.
Pre-employment Assessments:
These evaluations help employers identify potential candidates by looking at the psychological variables (e.g., personality, psychopathology, substance abuse) that are correlated with satisfactory or problematic work performance.
Pre-deployment Assessments:
A pre-deployment assessment is a psychological assessment aimed at evaluating an individual’s mental fitness prior to deployment. This type of assessment looks for personality and behavioural features that may make an individual more vulnerable for the development of mental health concerns. Conversely, it may also aid in identifying psychological variables that could impede or interfere with an individual’s effectiveness on a given mission.
Post-deployment Assessments:
A post-deployment assessment is a psychological assessment aimed at evaluating an individual’s mental fitness post-deployment and prior to re-entering in the workforce. This type of assessment looks for personality and behavioural features that may make an individual more vulnerable to the development of mental health concerns following a deployment.
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A medical and legal psychological assessment is a specialized type of assessment in which a third party is retained to provide an independent opinion regarding psychological injuries sustained for which there is active litigation. This type of examination incorporates multiple sources of data into a synthesized reporting of medical evidence that validates the nature and severity of any potential injuries suffered by a claimant in litigation.
This assessment involves an in-depth clinical interview, review of all medical and file documentation, and extensive psychological testing. A comprehensive report is then prepared that addresses issues regarding diagnosis, degree of psychological disability, issues related to causality, prognosis, and issues related to treatment planning.
Following the assessment and provision of the medical and legal report, psychologists may be retained to provide expert witness testimony in arbitration, mediation, or in court proceedings.
Medical and legal assessment services are billed on an hourly basis, and the number of hours required depends on the complexity of the case and the amount of collateral information to review.
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Cognitive and psychoeducational assessments are essential tools aimed at understanding an individual's cognitive functioning, learning and functional needs. Cognitive assessments focus on evaluating various cognitive abilities such as memory, attention, problem-solving, and reasoning, providing insights into an individual's intellectual strengths and weaknesses. In contrast, psychoeducational assessments integrate psychological and educational principles to assess an individual's academic performance, learning styles, and emotional well-being, identifying any barriers to learning or developmental challenges. These assessments are invaluable for tailoring effective interventions, educational strategies, and support systems to enhance an individual's learning and overall psychological well-being (e.g. adult cognitive assessment for students in university or those seeking funding for AISH).
Fees for cognitive and psychoeducational assessment range based on the complexity of the evaluation. A standard evaluation consists of approximately four to six hours of testing. Wayfound will produce a written report and review it with the individual.
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When matters related to psychological functioning come into question related to a legal matter, a forensic assessment may be requested. Forensic assessments utilize structured procedures and empirically-supported psychological measures to determine how an individual’s behaviour, cognitive functions, personality, and other psychological variables may influence their actions in relation to a specific legal question. These evaluations are used in both criminal and civil cases.
All forensic assessments completed at Wayfound are done so by, or in consultation with, our Ph.D-level psychologists. Our team can subsequently provide treatment that is consistent with the recommendations provided in the forensic evaluations.
Fees for these evaluations will vary based on the complexity of the evaluation and the number of hours required to produce a comprehensive report.
For Children (6-11) & Adolescents (12-17)
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Wayfound Mental Health Group is excited to introduce our Psychoeducational Assessment Division. Comprising a skilled team of experienced psychologists, our Division is committed to providing comprehensive psychoeducational assessments tailored to the unique profiles of children (age 6-11) and adolescents (age 12-17). We recognize the importance of early intervention and support in fostering positive mental health outcomes, and our Division delivers evidence-based assessments within a biopsychosocial framework. Collaborating closely with families, educators, and caregivers, we aim to gain a holistic understanding of each child’s cognitive, emotional, and behavioral development. By utilizing innovative techniques and age-appropriate assessment methods, we strive to identify strengths, challenges, and areas for growth.
Our Psychoeducational Assessment Division is driven by a commitment to nurturing resilience, promoting healthy development, and equipping children and adolescents with the tools they need to thrive in an ever-changing world.
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Inconsistency in academic success or school effort;
Excessive worry or anxious feelings;
Mood changes or low interest in activities;
Inattention or distraction;
Disruptive or oppositional behaviour;
Peer or family relationship issues;
Accelerated programming (giftedness)
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A psychoeducational assessment is a process through which a psychologist systematically gathers information about a child’s functioning, from a variety of sources, in order to better understand their strengths and needs.
Psychoeducational assessments typically include standardized measures of intellectual functioning, academic achievement, and social/emotional functioning. Depending on the reasons for the referral, the psychologist may administer other measures related to memory, attention, language, or executive functioning. Some of the information will come from talking with the child’s parents and/or teachers about the patterns of behaviour exhibited at home and at school. As well, information may be collected in the form of checklists or rating scales.
The goal of the psychoeducational assessment is to answer the referral question(s) and provide strategies/suggestions to support the child/adolescent in various settings i.e., home, peers, school, community.
Fees for a psychoeducational assessment range based on the complexity of the evaluation. A standard evaluation consists of approximately four to six hours of testing. Parents and teachers may be asked to complete some short surveys or questionnaires. Wayfound will produce a written report and review it with the parents or individual.
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A school neuropsychological assessment is a comprehensive assessment conducted by a psychologist with specialized training in neuropsychological principles and brain-behaviour relationships. The goal of a school neuropsychological evaluation is to provide a comprehensive understanding of an individual’s strengths and areas of need across cognitive, academic, neuropsychological, behavioural, and social-emotional domains. A school neuropsychological assessment begins with assessing for similar components as a standard psychoeducational assessment, while also integrating the evaluation of additional cognitive and neuropsychological processes that may be impacting learning and behaviour.
Key components of a school neuropsychological assessment may include in-depth assessment of the following areas:
• Sensorimotor skills, including sensory and fine motor functions, visual-motor integration, and gross motor functions.
• Visuospatial and auditory processing, including visuospatial perception and reasoning, sound discrimination, and phonological processing.
• Attention and executive functioning, including, cognitive flexibility, planning, organization, response inhibition, problem solving, and idea generation.
• Learning and memory, including visual and verbal working memory, immediate and delayed visual and verbal memory, rate of new learning, and verbal-visual association learning and recall.
• Language skills, including oral expression and receptive language.
• Speed of processing, including fluency and accuracy.
• Academic achievement, including broad and specific strengths and vulnerabilities across reading, written language, and mathematics achievement.
Child & Adolescent Assessment Process
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During the intake appointment, your clinician will provide you with detailed information about the assessment process and go through informed consent. The clinician will also gather relevant background information to better understand the concerns you have about your child.
(1.5 hours)
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A psychoeducational assessment involves clinical interviews, observations, and the administration of relevant standardized tests and rating scales to better understand how a child learns, processes new information, and functions emotionally, socially, and behaviourally in their everyday life. The purpose of an assessment is to identify both a child’s strengths and unique needs to develop an individualized plan that supports their success. All the information gathered over the course of the assessment will be integrated into a comprehensive written report that will include tailored recommendations and interventions to enhance the child’s functioning across settings.
On average, psychoeducational assessments require a minimum of two 2-3-hour testing sessions. Clinical time is also needed for test scoring, interpretation, consultation, and report-writing, and the number of sessions and assessment time will also depend on the referral question.
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Your clinician will meet with you to discuss the results of the assessment and review the recommendations provided in the written report.
(1.5 hours)
FAQ’s
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All children and adolescents have unique strengths and vulnerabilities that will impact their functioning at school, home, and in the community. Below are examples of common referral concerns that can be addressed during a psychoeducational assessment:
My child has trouble with motivation or effort for academic tasks.
My child is not attending school regularly or is very resistant to attending school.
My child has great motivation, but their marks do not reflect the effort they put in.
My child has problems with focus, attention, motivation, or organization in the classroom, at home, and/or during extra-curricular activities.
My child cannot consistently manage their behaviour or emotions in the classroom, at home, and/or during extra-curricular activities.
My child is not at grade level with a specific academic area at school, such as reading, writing, math, or language use.
My child would benefit from individualized supports at school or at home.
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Fees for a psychoeducational assessment vary based on the referral question and other factors. Generally, at $220/hour, a standard psychoeducational assessment will take 13-15 hours and the start at approximately $2860.00, but this cost may increase based on the complexity of the evaluation. The full assessment process includes the initial intake interview and other background questionnaires, one-on-one testing sessions, consultation with relevant school and/or health personnel, report writing, and the final feedback session. Your clinician will review an initial quote and assessment plan with you during the initial consent and intake assessment meeting.
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A psychoeducational assessment includes a series of sessions where information is gathered about your child’s strengths and vulnerabilities. After information is collected, your clinician will compile the results into a comprehensive report. The time between the initial intake session and the final feedback meeting is approximately 6-8 weeks
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Many extended benefit plans will cover at least some (if not all) of the cost of a psychoeducational assessment. Insurance providers often have different stipulations for reimbursement; thus, it is important to clarify available coverage and any specific criteria required by your insurance provider prior to beginning the assessment process. At the conclusion of the assessment, Wayfound will provide you with a detailed invoice that can be used to submit to your insurance provider.
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The frequency of assessments will vary based on your child's needs and any changes in their educational or developmental progress. Typically, assessments are conducted when significant concerns or changes in circumstances arise (e.g., transitioning to middle school, high school, or a post-secondary institution), or to evaluate the progress of interventions or recommendations. Most assessments are considered valid for approximately 2-3 years.
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Yes, the assessment results can be used to request educational services or accommodations for your child in various educational settings, including private schools. The recommendations provided in the assessment report aim to ensure your child receives the necessary support. Parents can choose to share the report with the child’s school or with other partitioners who are involved in the child’s care (e.g., pediatricians, therapists), and the psychologist can be present at learning or behavioural support meetings upon request.
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We encourage parents to talk to their child about the assessment process. We often describe the assessment as a way to gather information about individual strengths (i.e., things that you child is really good at) as well as possible areas where they may need some support. We gather this information through a series of game-like and school-like tasks that most children find engaging. It is important to highlight that the tasks we will be asking your child to complete are not “tests,” and they will not be graded in the same way they are at school. Rather, the tasks serve as a way to gather information about how your child learns and to identify strengths and potential areas where your child may need additional supports. Your child will also be able to pick out a small prize at the conclusion of each session.
Meet the Clinical Assessment Team
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Dr. Kelly Dean Schwartz
PhD | Registered Psychologist
Assessment: Psych-ed (children, youth, adult)
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Dr. Lawrence Deck
PhD | Chief Clinical Officer, Registered Psychologist
Assessment: Psych-ed (adult), Forensic (youth, adult)
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Braxtyn Horbay
MSc | Registered Provisional Psychologist
Assessment: Psych-ed, ADHD, ASD (children, youth, adult)
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Dr. Hanna Duffy
PhD | Registered Psychologist
Assessment: Psych-ed (children, youth, adult), School Neuropsych (children, youth, young adult)
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Dr. Heather MacDonald
PhD | Registered Psychologist
Assessment: Psych-ed
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Dr. Victoria Pasyk
JD, Ph.D. | Registered Psychologist
Assessment: Psycho-ed, ADHD
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Kristjana Fridfinnson
MSc | Registered Psychologist
Assessment: Psych-ed, ASD
