Psychological Assessments

Understanding where you are is the first step toward getting the support you need. One of the most accessible tools for self-assessment is the Mental Health Continuum, which helps you identify where you currently fall on the spectrum from healthy to crisis. Rather than labeling you with a diagnosis, the continuum offers a framework for recognizing shifts in your mental health over time, from feeling well and functioning effectively, through to experiencing increasing distress, to needing more intensive support. It is a starting point for understanding yourself and having honest conversations about where you are right now.

Assessments range from informal self-evaluations up to formal assessments where there is a much greater commitment of time and money to find answers. When we meet for the first time, we will explore what's different about right now that made you decide you need help. What isn't working? Are you struggling with parts of yourself that are in conflict? Are you in a constant state of pain that makes you wonder what the point is of carrying on? Do you see a pattern of dysfunctional relationships that leaves you wondering what's wrong with you? With care, compassion, and curiosity, we can start our conversation by exploring where you are right now and how you knew that today was the right day to reach out for help. We can go as fast or as slow as you want.

Therapy is a kind of self-care, and must consider all aspects holistically, because physical, mental, and emotional health are interconnected. There is no perfect modality or intervention that works for everyone. Instead, we look at how you are feeling in your body, and where you're feeling disconnected, and then pull in the right tools and interventions to help you reach your goals. With Perseverance Counselling, we can use some basic assessment tools to help you watch for when you're coping well, and when you're not.

While I specialize in counselling for trauma, grief, and related concerns, I am not currently licensed to provide formal psychological assessments. When my clients need comprehensive assessments, I refer them to trusted colleagues who can provide this specialized service. I'm pleased to refer you to Katharine Heimbigner-Tenor, Registered Provisional Psychologist, who shares my commitment to trauma-informed, compassionate care. Katharine specializes in psychological assessments, particularly for trauma and neurodiversity, areas where specialized assessment can provide crucial insights for healing.

While Katharine and I use different therapeutic modalities, we share core values of compassion, trauma-informed care, and respect for each person's unique healing journey. Katharine has high-level training in Internal Family Systems (IFS), while my practice focuses on Mindfulness and Self Compassion, Neurodynamic Breathwork, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Solution-Focused approaches. Despite these different paths, our work complements each other beautifully. An assessment with Katharine can provide valuable clarity to inform our ongoing counselling work together. It can also meet the requirements for an employer, for Veterans Affairs, for WCB, and for disability claims.