Diagnostic Assessment · Adults
Diagnostic Mental Health Assessment in Calgary
When you have been struggling and want to understand why, a diagnostic assessment brings clarity. We look carefully at anxiety, depression, trauma, mood and more, then give you diagnostic findings, conclusions where supported, and recommendations you and your care team can use.
At a glance
Who it is for
Adults 18 and older
Time with you
About 4 to 5 hours over 3 visits
You receive
A written report and a feedback meeting
Where
In person at our Calgary office
Is this assessment for you?
People usually come to us for one of these reasons:
- Your family doctor or psychiatrist has asked for a diagnostic assessment
- You are not sure whether what you feel is anxiety, depression, trauma or something else
- Treatment so far has not helped as much as you hoped
- Mood, worry or past experiences are affecting work, school or relationships
- You need documentation for workplace or post-secondary accommodations
- You want a clearer picture before starting counselling
There is no wrong reason to want clarity. If you are unsure whether an assessment or counselling is the better first step, say so in your request and we will help you decide.
What your report can help with
Your care team
Diagnostic findings and recommendations that can help inform discussions with your healthcare providers.
Accommodations
Documentation for workplace or post-secondary accommodations, shared only if you choose.
Counselling
A focus for therapy. Many clients continue with a therapist on our team, recommendations in hand.
Understanding yourself
Words for what you have been carrying, and a sense of what will help.
An assessment can be an important first step, but support doesn’t have to end with the report. Depending on your findings and recommendations, our team can help you explore counselling, therapeutic groups, or other appropriate supports at Your Counselling. Any additional services are optional and arranged separately.
How it works
Our psychologists use evidence-informed assessment methods, standardized measures, and recognized diagnostic criteria, where appropriate. Every assessment follows the same clear path, so you always know what comes next.
- Send a requestFill out a short form about you or your child and what you are hoping to learn. Sending it does not book anything or commit you.About 5 minutes, online
- We review and replyOur intake team reviews your request with your psychologist, confirms the right assessment and fee, and contacts you to book your first appointment.By phone or email
- Clinical interviewA structured conversation about what you are experiencing, your history and your goals.About 1.5 to 2 hours
- TestingStandardized questionnaires and a personality inventory that add depth and help rule out other explanations.About 1.5 hours
- Your written reportA comprehensive written report outlining assessment findings, diagnostic conclusions where supported, and individualized recommendations. Written in plain language. A Registered Psychologist reviews and signs it.Usually about 3 to 4 weeks after your last testing session
- Feedback meetingWe walk through your results, answer your questions and talk about next steps.About 1 hour, in person or online
Your fee, everything included
Diagnostic Mental Health Assessment
$1,500
One flat fee, everything included.
Everything included
- Structured clinical interview
- Standardized questionnaires
- Personality inventory
- Scoring and interpretation
- Comprehensive written report: findings, diagnostic conclusions where supported, and individualized recommendations
- Feedback meeting
Common questions
Who is this assessment for?
Adults 18 and older. It is often requested by family doctors, psychiatrists or therapists who want a clearer diagnostic picture.
How is an assessment different from counselling?
An assessment answers a question: what is going on, and what will help. Counselling is the ongoing work of feeling better. Many people start with an assessment, then begin counselling with the recommendations in hand.
Will you share my report with my doctor?
Only with your written consent. Your report belongs to you.
Will the assessment give me a diagnosis?
Not always, and that depends on the findings. Your report includes diagnostic conclusions where the results support them. Either way, it explains your strengths, what may be behind the difficulties you noticed, and practical recommendations.
What if I am in crisis?
An assessment is not urgent care. If you are in crisis, call or text 988, call 911, or go to your nearest emergency department.
Can a doctor, therapist or school refer me?
Yes. Professionals can refer through our referral form, or you can reach out yourself. With your consent, we can share your report and recommendations with the person who referred you, so everyone supporting you is working from the same picture.
Is it covered by insurance?
Some extended health insurance plans provide coverage for psychological assessments. Coverage varies depending on the insurer, the type of assessment, and the provider’s registration. We recommend confirming your assessment coverage and any benefit limits before booking. We provide detailed receipts for your claim.
Who completes your assessment
Assessments are completed by psychologists registered with the College of Alberta Psychologists. Testing happens in person at our Calgary office, at a comfortable pace with breaks whenever you need them.
Aiyman Vassanji, M.C.P.
Registered Provisional Psychologist
Completes ADHD, psychoeducational, gifted, diagnostic mental health and cognitive assessments for children, teens and adults, from your intake appointment through testing, your report and your feedback meeting.
Assessment areas: attention and executive functioning, learning and cognitive abilities, giftedness, mood and anxiety, and intellectual and adaptive functioning.
Susan J. Morison, M.A.
Registered Psychologist · Clinical supervisor
A Registered Psychologist specializing in clinical and forensic psychology, with a long career in generalized and specialized psychological assessment.
Supervises our assessment service, and reviews and signs every assessment report.
About provisional registration. A Registered Provisional Psychologist has completed graduate training in psychology and is completing a period of supervised practice, as the College of Alberta Psychologists requires before full registration. Assessments completed by a Registered Provisional Psychologist are supervised by a Registered Psychologist, who reviews and signs the report.
Paying for your assessment
One flat fee covers your intake, testing, scoring, written report and feedback meeting.
Extended health insurance
Some extended health insurance plans provide coverage for psychological assessments. Coverage varies depending on the insurer, the type of assessment, and the provider’s registration. We recommend confirming your assessment coverage and any benefit limits before booking.
Alberta Student Aid
Eligible post-secondary students may qualify for reimbursement of psychological assessment costs through Alberta Student Aid’s disability-related funding programs. Reimbursement amounts and eligibility depend on the applicable grant, assessment findings, and program requirements. We encourage students to confirm their eligibility before booking. Alberta Student Aid: assessment reimbursement
Medical expense tax credit
Psychological assessment fees may qualify as eligible medical expenses for income tax purposes. Eligibility depends on Canada Revenue Agency requirements and your individual tax circumstances.
If cost is a barrier
Let us know in your request, and we will talk through your options with you.
Other assessments we offer
Not sure which assessment fits? See all assessments, or choose “Not sure yet” on the request form.
ADHD Assessment for Adults
For adults who have always wondered whether attention, focus or restlessness has a name.
Psychoeducational Assessment
A full picture of how you or your child learns, for school supports, post-secondary accommodations and Student Aid.
PDD and AISH Cognitive Assessment
Cognitive and adaptive functioning testing to support PDD eligibility and, where appropriate, other disability support applications.
Request an assessment
Tell us about you or your child and what you are hoping to learn. Our intake team reviews every request with your psychologist and will be in touch about next steps. Sending a request does not commit you to anything.
Questions first? Call 403-668-7561 or email hello@yourcounselling.ca. Physicians, therapists and schools can refer through our professional referral form.