Assessments and Evaluations

What is an assessment ? 

​A mental health assessment is a comprehensive evaluation of an individual's cognitive, academic, emotional, and social functioning. Psychoeducational assessments must be administered by a registered psychologist and/or a qualified professional who is either supervised by a psychologist, or who has the necessary experience and qualifications.

​

Who benefits from a assessment?

Assessments are typically used when there are questions regarding a child, youth, or adult's educational potential or performance. For example, if an youth is struggling to sit still during class, has a hard time concentrating and completing tasks, and is not performing at their potential, then an assessment might be appropriate.

 

Psychoeducational testing is a type of assessment that is used to identify an individual's strengths and areas for improvement. Psychoeducational testing may make use of a series of tasks that work to document an individual's mental abilities. Information gathered from psychoeducational testing is useful in setting up support measures and documentation for the individual at home, at work, and at school. Information garnered from an assessment may be used to inform a diagnosis, a diagnostic report, and/or a psychoeducational assessment by a qualified practitioner (in this case, a Registered Ontario Psychiatrist at Psychotherapy Matters©). 

​​

What does the process look like?

At Second Nature, Anastasia Machan, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), as a vetted member of Psychotherapy Matters©  will provide the client with an initial interview, evaluate their history, and administer a mental health assessment. Data from these clinical interviews, questionnaires, and/or activities is then shared during a consultation with a Registered Ontario Psychiatrist where they will provide their own virtual assessment. This assessment may be done virtually from the Second Nature Centre, or virtually from the client's home. In both cases, clients will be supported by their regular therapist. In some cases, based on this information, a diagnosis can be made (or revised), and recommendations for next steps will be made. Before your initial appointment, a practitioner will guide you through the process to ensure that you are informed and comfortable.

​

What is Psychotherapy Matters ©?

Second Nature is proud to provide clients with swift access to psychiatric consultation for our clients through the Ontario Telemedicine Network through Psychotherapy Matters Virtual Clinic ©. Our Owner and Clinic Director, Anastasia Machan, R.E.C.E., B.A., M.A., R.P. (Qualifying), has been accepted into this program and is positioned uniquely to access psychiatric consultations with Registered Ontario Psychiatrists. Psychiatrists are medical doctors whose scope of practice includes the ability to prescribe medication and offer psychiatric diagnoses. As such, Anastasia Machan has been granted permission to provide assessments as a psychometrist and consultations, while providing support and continuity of care to her clients. As part of this relationship, Second Nature is able to provide virtual psychiatric consultations at the Second Nature Centre.

​​

Future planning with assessments.

By identifying the root causes of the struggles individuals face, we are able to make individualized recommendations regarding intervention, treatment, create support systems, and improve overall health and wellbeing. 

​

Cost of testing and assessments.

In Ottawa and Gatineau, the average cost of a psychoeducational assessment is between $3000 to $5000. This cost covers the fee for the assessment itself, the cost of materials used, a comprehensive written report, and treatment recommendations. Some of the cost of assessments may be covered by Ontario's health insurance plan (OHIP), and by some employee benefit plans. 

​