Below is a brief description of some of the different types of assessments QTTNS therapists may offer.
- Adult Capacity & Decision Making Act (ACDMA) Capacity Assessments: are completed in instances where another adult can apply for representation of another adult for all matters. This is completed when an individual’s capacity for decision making is impacted by conditions such as a brain injury, neurodevelopmental or mental health condition. Part of this process involves an approved assessor under the ACDMA Act (e.g., select physicians, psychologists, appointed social workers, nurses, and occupational therapists) to assess the adult’s capacity to make decisions and write up a report for the court. More details can be found by clicking here.
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): This assessment can involve completing a full psychoeducational assessment (please see below for more information) with a psychologist. However, some ADHD assessments are completed with a structure of having several interviews with a psychologist, nurse practitioner, family doctor, and/or psychiatrist. In addition, the client and others in their support circle (e.g. teachers, other providers, family members, and partners) are asked to complete standardized self-report measures (e.g. a survey) in an effort to determine if the client meets the criteria for ADHD. At the end of the assessment, the client may be given a diagnosis of ADHD and specific recommendations for treatment. A lot of times the client will also be screened for other psychiatric disorders such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder. If the psychologist determines the client may meet the criteria for another psychiatric disorder, they may complete a psychodiagnostic assessment or refer you to complete more testing.
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): This assessment can differ depending on the age of the client. In general, the assessment consists of the psychologist completing a series of semi-structured interviews with the client, a parent, a family member, a partner (depending on the age of the client), and sometimes teachers and other providers. Depending on the age of the client, the client may fill out self-report measures and/or members of their support circle will. At the end of the assessment, the psychologist may diagnose the client with ASD. Similar to an ADHD assessment, if the psychologist suspects the client may meet the criteria for another psychiatric disorder, they may refer on for more testing.
- Fitness-to-Work Assessment: A comprehensive evaluation of an individual’s current mental health functioning as it relates to their ability to perform job duties safely and effectively. This assessment identifies potential impacts on workplace performance, determines appropriate supports, and informs the development of a return-to-work plan or eligibility for disability accommodations. It is often used to guide workplace reintegration strategies and ensure appropriate modifications for sustained employment.
- Psychodiagnostic: This assessment focuses more on determining if the client meets the criteria for a personality, mood, anxiety, depressive, trauma-related, substance use disorder, and/or psychotic disorder. The assessment typically involves the client completing several semi-structured interviews with a psychologist or psychiatrist and filling out one or more standardized self-report measures. At the end of the assessment, the psychologist can typically diagnose the client with one or more psychiatric disorders.
- Psychoeducational: This assessment identifies areas of strength and deficits in a client’s learning profile and provides a deeper understanding of the client’s educational abilities. Psychoeducational assessments can also help identify possible learning disabilities, ADHD, and intellectual disabilities. These assessments are more often completed with children and adults currently in school. However, sometimes these assessments are completed for other purposes. The assessment typically involves several semi-structured interviews with the psychologist and sometimes with family members, partners, teachers, and/or other providers. The client will also complete a series of cognitive and behavioural tests with the therapist to help assess for topics such as academic aptitude, skills in reading, writing, math, and overall intelligence.
- World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH): This assessment is a trans health readiness assessment for assessing gender-affirming medical care such as hormone therapy and surgery. The assessment can be completed by a registered counsellor, Master’s level social worker, psychologist, or a medical professional with WPATH training. The assessment typically involves meeting with the therapist for 1 or more sessions with the goal of diagnosing the person with Gender Dysphoria and assessing for capacity to make informed consent decisions when it comes to medical transition. If the therapist determines the client meets the criteria for readiness for medical transition, the therapist can write a letter of support so that the client can access much needed gender-affirming medical treatment. To learn more about accessing gender-affirming care in Nova Scotia, visit: https://library.nshealth.ca/TransGenderDiverse/Home
Queer and Trans Therapists of Nova Scotia (QTTNS) 