I bring my experience as a parent, psychologist, school psychologist, classroom teacher, provincial consultant and teacher trainer to each report, providing a unique and valuable perspective. I have worked with school districts for over 30 years providing assessments, teacher training and consultation in British Columbia, California, New York and Europe. In addition to my training as a clinical psychologist and certified school psychologist and Fellow of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. I have completed two years of post-doctoral work in neuropsychology and hold a doctoral degree in education law. My offices are located in Vancouver and Burnaby, BC.
Neuropsychological, psychological and psychoeducational assessments are available for children, adolescents and adults. These assessments may be completed to assist with diagnostic questions, help in developing learning, treatment and intervention plans for school, or may be part of a forensic (legal) examination which might be addressing issues such as your ability to return to work, drive a car or sign legal documents. Also included are assessments for autism spectrum disorder. If you suspect your child has autism spectrum disorder, Aspergers or other related cognitive disorders, I provide assessments that lead to a diagnosis for use in obtaining provincial or educational supports.
As part of a psychoeducational or clinical assessment I review records, complete a detailed history, administer appropriate test instruments, confer with other members of your health team and then write a comprehensive report focused on developing an appropriate treatment plan or sometimes answering specific questions your doctor or lawyer may have asked.
The base fee for a psycho-educational evaluation, usually aimed at obtaining accommodations in the educational setting is $2,400. This covers the initial evaluation and a post-evaluation meeting to discuss the results with the student and family.
An extensive written report will be presented at that meeting and specific interventions are usually addressed at that time. Psychoeducational assessments are available in my Vancouver office (Vancouver, North Vancouver, West Vancouver and Richmond)as well as my Burnaby office (serving Burnaby, New Westminster, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody and Maple Richmond).
For school purposes a shorter/brief psychoeducational screening can be performed, usually this takes four sessions. From this process we are able to write a letter and give specific rationales for requesting an appropriate evaluation be completed by the school. You should be aware, however, that school districts are taking excessive time in completing their assessments. We can discuss this alternative approach when you come in. I have provided psychoeducational assessments for many lower mainland districts including Burnaby, Vancouver, New Westminster, Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, Surrey, Langley, North Vancouver and West Vancouver. As a former classroom teacher, school psychologist and school behaviour management consultant I offer unique insight into how assessments and test results can be applied in the classroom by the teacher.
In addition to a psychoeducational evaluation being useful for accommodations, it is also often a key component used in developing a long-term education plan (IEP or Individual Education Plan) for students. Many schools, including colleges and universities, require a psychoeducational assessment before a student can be considered for assistance, accommodations or other related services.
In addition to a psychoeducational evaluation being useful for accommodations, it is also often a key component used in developing a long-term education plan (IEP or Individual Education Plan) for students. Many programs and supports require a psychoeducational assessment before a student can be considered for assistance. For adults in the work-place an assessment may lead to a work plan as part of our return-to-work or coaching program. Attending an IEP meeting at the school or consulting with secondary institutions is done at an hourly rate of $200 plus travel and transportation expenses with a minimum of a 1/2 day billing.
Fee’s for a full Functional Behavioral Analysis are $2,400 plus expenses related to meetings with the IEP committee or education hearing to a work plan as part of our return to work or coaching program. This includes approximately 10 hours of billed time. Attending an IEP meeting at the school or consulting with secondary institutions is done at an hourly rate of $200.00 plus travel.
Yes. Besides seeing children and adolescents for psychoeducational assessment of issues such as problems with academic classwork, on task behaviour, depression, anxiety or worries about a specific learning disabilities I also see adults. This may be for a psychoeducational assessment for college, or for other problems relating to your home or job. Adults are often seen for issues relating to diagnosis of depression, anxiety and often PTSD. Often family doctors want comprehensive assessments and a diagnosis to help made treatment and medication decisions. Sometimes these are work related assessments. I also complete ADHD/ADD assessments and help with follow-up monitoring when patients are receiving medications. Other more comprehensive assessments and testing are often completed relating to ICBC and other work or legal claims. You can read more about those specialized services elsewhere on this website. As with children, adults are seen in both my Vancouver and Burnaby office.
Yes. I work extensively with students at the post-secondary level. Often this includes psychoeducational testing, educating the student about their strengths and weaknesses, and then developing a plan to address the academic (and sometimes social) problems they are having. Often this includes monthly follow-up and coaching, either in the office or by phone. UBC students often see me in my Vancouver office for psychoeducational assessments and learning advice. SFU students are seen in my Burnaby office, near the SFU famous in Burnaby for psychoeducational assessments.
The typical evaluation takes approximately six to eight hours, usually scheduled over two days. Some students may require additional time to complete the testing to fit their work speed and need for breaks, or to gather additional test data to better understand their learning difficulties. Some materials are completed at home. Autism evaluations often require school and home observations as well.
The psychoeducational evaluation includes a clinical interview, a battery of educational, psychological and cognitive tests to assess a student’s intellectual ability, academic achievement in core areas, (i.e., reading, math, and written language), strengths and weaknesses in processing information, and their emotional state. Often there is also a neuropsychological procedure or examination that requires performing a number of specific tasks.
After the psychoeducational evaluation is complete each student is scheduled for an individual feedback session with me (if appropriate). The session typically lasts from one to two hours. In this session I will review the test results, make recommendations for academic accommodations and other support services, and answer any questions. The parents or student may bring anyone to the session. All feedback sessions can be audio taped/recorded so that the student and family can take home a recording of the discussion to listen to again or share with others.
Following the feedback, where appropriate, the student will receive a written report that describes all the tests that were administered and the scores obtained. This report will also document the presence of any disability that warrants academic accommodation and list appropriate accommodations and other recommendations. This report will not be shared with anyone else without the student’s or parent’s written permission.
A Functional Behaviour Analysis is an in-depth observation of a student’s behaviour in the school or home setting. This is a procedure often completed when there are complex questions about emotional or behavioural issues. These are often required by schools when students are classified with moderate or sever behavioural issues, a specific educational coding used by the Ministry of Education to determine placement and funding. They are often part of assessments for autism as well.
Assessments are available for diagnostic purposes for Autism, Asperger’s Disorder and related social cognitive deficits. (These assessments include using specific Ministry required tools: the ADOS and ADI-R) These evaluations involve several sessions and the addition of consultation with a speech pathologist and medical doctor for children under six in order to meet the stringent guidelines set forth by the Ministry.
Methods of payment include: Cash, check, or money order. Payments by credit card need to be made on-line and you can contact me directly about that. Payment is expected prior to the actual assessment. Because several hours are scheduled for the assessment, 72 hours notice are necessary if the assessment session is to be cancelled. A 50% per hour fee is charged for cancelled evaluation time when less than 48 hours notice is given.
I do not bill for insurance payments, but I will provide you with the necessary documentation so that you may file for a reimbursment with your carrier.
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