Psychological Assessment
Careful evaluation. Clear communication. Tailored recommendations.
Psychological Assessment
Careful evaluation. Clear communication. Tailored recommendations.
What is Psychological Assessment?
Psychological assessment is a structured process that involves gathering information from multiple sources (such as clinical interviews, standardized tests, observations, and questionnaires) to better understand a person's cognitive, academic, emotional, social, and/or behavioural functioning. The goal is to provide diagnostic clarification (if applicable), psychoeducation, treatment recommendations, and/or ideas for strategies and accommodations to apply in educational, residential, vocational, or social settings.
Our goal with assessment is to provide clear answers, thoughtful recommendations, and a process that feels respectful, collaborative, and steady, even when the concerns that bring you here feel heavy.
What to Expect During a Psychological Assessment
What to Expect During a Psychological Assessment
Assessments can feel intimidating. We try to make the process predictable and supportive, with clear explanations along the way.
Child Assessments
Child Assessments
At Olive Grove Psychology Group, there are three main types of assessments
that we offer for children and teens (ages 6+).
Psychoeducational Assessment
If the main concern is about learning difficulties, academic performance, or cognitive skills (like memory, processing speed, problem-solving, attention, concentration, hyperactivity, impulse control, etc.), a psycho-educational assessment is likely the best fit.
Psychodiagnostic Assessment
If the concern is more about emotional, social, or behavioural challenges (like managing anxiety, mood swings, peer relationships, behavioural problems, aggression, etc.), a psycho-diagnostic assessment would be more suitable. (Note that we do not offer assessments for Autism Spectrum Disorder at our clinic).
Comprehensive Assessment
If both learning/cognitive and emotional/behavioural challenges seem connected, it might make sense to do a comprehensive assessment that integrates both a psychoeducational and a psychodiagnostic assessment.
Adult Assessments
Adult Assessments
At Olive Grove Psychology Group, there are six main types of assessments
that we offer for adults (ages 18+).
Psychodiagnostic Assessment
Assesses mental health, personality, and potential substance use issues to diagnose conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or ADHD (when academic performance isn’t the primary concern).
Psychoeducational Assessment
Evaluates academic skills, learning challenges, and cognitive functioning to identify learning disorders (e.g., dyslexia, dysgraphia) and ADHD; used to determine the need for academic or workplace supports.
Psychovocational Assessment
Evaluates an individual’s work-related psychological functioning; includes fitness-for-duty (FFD), return-to-work (RTW), and job candidacy screenings (JCS), and assessments required for disability-related paperwork (DRP) following workplace psychological injury.
Cognitive Assessment
Measures key cognitive functions such as memory, attention, processing speed, and verbal fluency; used to distinguish between subjective cognitive complaints and objective deficits.
Comprehensive Assessment
An integrated evaluation used when referral questions are complex and span two or more assessment domains (e.g., cognitive functioning plus mental health/personality). Combines targeted test batteries and clinical interpretation to clarify the overall clinical picture and provide cohesive diagnostic and treatment/planning recommendations.
Neuropsychological Assessment
An in-depth evaluation of brain function used to diagnose cognitive deficits resulting from brain injury, neurological disorders, or significant head trauma; involves an extensive test battery.