Frequently Asked Questions – Please Read Carefully
What is the final cost? What is the duration? The current fee is $375. This is a one-time fee that includes a written report outlining diagnoses and recommendations for further steps as appropriate. The process consists of a 60-minute (approximately) online clinical interview and online psychometric questionnaires. Other collateral such as report cards will also be reviewed. This is a streamlined service designed to provide a lower-cost, accessible way for adults to clarify attentional and related mood/anxiety concerns. It is generally sufficient for straightforward cases. If the picture is unclear or more complex, I may recommend referral to another professional for a more comprehensive assessment, which may involve higher cost or longer timelines. Note: This is not a comprehensive psycho-educational evaluation and is not a medico-legal assessment.
What is the process for getting an ADHD assessment? First, you would sign up for an available assessment date. After booking you will receive a link to your package of assessments. These must be filled out within two days – the appointment will be cancelled if they are incomplete. Then, when it is time for your assessment meeting you will log on to the virtual assessment tool and meet with me. We will chat, go over your assessment data and come to a diagnostic decision. This will take around 60 mins. Then, a few days later you will receive your psychological report which will include details of the diagnoses (if any apply). You will also be billed and receive a receipt at this point.
What about disability accommodations? The main point is that this is a brief assessment allowing people to be diagnosed and begin treatment at low cost. It is not a psycho-educational assessment. The focus is on diagnosis, not the identification of disability. Nevertheless, following a positive diagnosis of ADHD, some people would like to apply for various accommodations, the disability tax credit, etc. In general I cannot help with this, with the exception that I can sometimes sign the Appendix 8 for school accommodation, as long as the assessment clearly indicates that there have been lifelong school difficulties. If the main purpose of the assessment is to apply for an accommodation, then this is not the right type of assessment.
Do I have to provide my school reports or observer reports? You should provide these if at all possible. ADHD is considered a neurodevelopmental condition, meaning it starts in childhood. According to the DSM-5-TR: “Adult recall of childhood symptoms tends to be unreliable, and it is beneficial to obtain ancillary information. ADHD cannot be diagnosed in the absence of any symptoms prior to age 12 years”. Currently I require all clients to provide either school reports, observer reports, and/or detailed childhood memories. Absence of clear evidence of symptoms in childhood may well result in a null diagnosis of ADHD. It’s worth considering this point carefully before you book an assessment.
Do you provide a written diagnosis? Yes, if criteria are met, the report may include a psychological diagnosis of ADHD or a related mood/anxiety condition. In some cases, no diagnosis (sometimes called a “null diagnosis”) may be made. In more complex cases, I may recommend referral to another professional for further evaluation.
Do you diagnose Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)? ASD is a complex disorder that requires a more extensive assessment process than I can provide in this brief format. However, I can provide a basic screen for autistic traits (as well as for various other conditions) and if it is positive I will provide some overall guidance with regard to autism spectrum status. Note that this is not a clinical diagnosis – it is just some basic guidance and possibly a referral. Ask me about this during the assessment if you have concerns.
Do you provide ADHD or mood disorder medication? No, all medication must be provided by a licensed physician, such as a general practitioner (GP) or a psychiatrist. Note that family doctors are in short supply, so many people are relying on Telus Health or walk-in clinics. I can provide some tips, but unfortunately there is no absolute solution to these shortages. It’s also important to note that I can’t guarantee that a given doctor will treat your ADHD. Adult ADHD is a relatively new condition and physicians do have different opinions on how or if it should be treated.
I don’t want to take medication. Can my disorder be treated without it? Evidence-based treatments for ADHD and mood disorder include medication, cognitive behavioural therapy and in some cases neurofeedback. I do not offer these therapies myself but I can you a good idea of what to look for from treatment based on the diagnosis and severity.
What about respect for neurodiversity, gender identity? I myself am a neurodiverse person (Diagnoses: Inattentive ADHD and Autistic Spectrum Disorder). I work from a position of respect for neurodiversity, however I’m not perfect and as a matter of professional necessity I still use medicalizing terms like “disorder”, “treatment”, “diagnosis”, etc. Hopefully the field will soon evolve to the point where these terms can be replaced with something better. In the meantime, I suggest not taking them too personally as they are purely a means to an end. With regard to gender identity, the DSM-5-TR states as follows: “ADHD is more frequent in males than in females in the general population, with male-to-female ratios of about 2:1 in children and 1.6:1 in adults. Females are more likely than males to present primarily with inattentive features. This may contribute to later identification in females, as they are less likely to have disruptive behaviours that bring them to clinical attention.” Note that all clients must meet the same diagnostic criteria regardless of gender identity or expression.
Is ADHD a “real” disorder? Are the meds safe? Do they work? There is an overwhelming evidence-based professional consensus that ADHD is a real and important disorder. Some professionals disagree, but this is not out of line with similar topics – almost everything in mental health is controversial to some degree. With regard to meds, all medications have a range of potential risks and benefits, including ADHD meds. In the particular case of stimulant medications, the main concern is emerging evidence suggesting that long-term treatment may increase cardiovascular risks in certain populations. It should be noted that there can also be risks associated with having untreated ADHD, and in some cases these may outweigh the cardiovascular considerations. With regard to evaluating these risks in your own case, there are multiple factors so the best approach is to ask a doctor.
What exactly will or will not be diagnosed? I diagnose ADHD and commonly presenting mood/anxiety concerns in adults according to their definitions in the DSM-5-TR. More complex or less common conditions (e.g. bipolar disorder, PTSD, personality disorders, learning disorders) are outside the scope of this brief service and may require referral.
What about insurance and benefits? Please note that I do not direct bill to insurers under any circumstances due to administrational overheads. If your insurance covers psychological services then they should reimburse. It’s hard to guarantee as they are all different, so please check with them if necessary.
Can I use your diagnosis to register for post-secondary accommodations? Schools and colleges are tightening up on accommodations for ADHD. Often a simple statement of ADHD diagnosis (such as an Appendix 8) is no longer sufficient. If you are asking for accommodation for a professional exam, LSAT, etc. you will probably be asked to provide a full psycho-educational assessment, which is not what I offer. You will have to demonstrate not only the presence of ADHD but the fact that ADHD symptoms are affecting your test performance in specific ways, taking into account the effects of medication and other interventions. The basic ADHD assessment service that I offer does not cover any of these services, and they are not available for an extra fee. Please consider this before making an appointment. I may in some cases be able to help with the Appendix 8 but more complex applications are out of scope.
Do I have to live in BC or be 18 to use your services? Yes to both. Psychological services are provincially licensed. However, you will generally be able to use the diagnostic report in other provinces. I am not trained as a child psychologist so generally I will assess people who are 18+
Abbreviations
ADHD: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
DSM-5-TR: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision, published by the American Psychiatric Association in 2022.