Psychological Assessments
Get clarity and direction with expert psychological assessments delivered by our experienced clinical and forensic team. Whether you’re navigating personal challenges, legal proceedings, or looking for diagnostic answers, we provide compassionate, evidence-based evaluations you can rely on.
Psychological Assessments Can Feel Uncertain — But the Process Doesn’t Have to Be
If you’re feeling unsure about what a psychological assessment involves, you’re not alone. Whether you’ve been referred for legal reasons, are seeking answers for yourself or your child, or simply want to understand what’s going on — it’s normal to feel hesitant.
At ARCH Psychological Services, we’re here to support you with clarity, not confusion. We take the time to explain each step, answer your questions, and tailor the assessment process to your needs. You don’t need to have everything figured out before reaching out — you just need a trusted team to walk you through it. That’s what we’re here for.
Call Our Intake Team
(780) 428-9223
Clinical & Forensic Psychological Assessments We Offer
Psychological assessments are structured evaluations used to answer specific clinical or legal questions. They help clarify diagnoses, guide treatment or educational planning, inform legal decisions, or support applications for services and accommodations.
Assessments may include interviews, standardized testing, behavioural observations, and document review. Results are summarized in a detailed report tailored to the referral context—whether for personal well-being, school, work, or court-involved matters.
ADHD Assessment – Child
An assessment to determine if a child’s inattention, hyperactivity, or impulsivity meets diagnostic criteria for ADHD. Tailored to reflect their experiences at home, school, and in peer relationships.
This assessment is designed for children who may be struggling with focus, self-regulation, or impulsive behaviours. It includes input from caregivers and educators, a review of developmental history, standardized ADHD-specific tools, and cognitive testing. It also screens for other potential factors that might affect behaviour, such as anxiety or learning difficulties.
Key components include:
- Parent and teacher behaviour rating scales
- Executive functioning and attention-based tasks
- A full developmental and behavioural profile with recommendations for supports at home and school
The final report offers diagnostic clarity and tailored next steps for classroom accommodations, therapy, or additional services.
ADHD Assessment – Adult
A comprehensive assessment to determine whether symptoms like distractibility, disorganization, or impulsivity are related to adult ADHD. Focused on how these patterns affect work, relationships, and daily life.
Adult ADHD assessments explore whether attention difficulties are part of a neurodevelopmental condition or linked to other factors such as stress, anxiety, or mood concerns. This process includes a structured clinical interview, review of developmental history, self-report questionnaires, and cognitive tasks focused on executive functioning. It’s particularly helpful for adults navigating workplace demands, academic challenges, or ongoing difficulties with time management and organization.
Key components include:
- Standardized clinical interview tools (e.g., DIVA-2.0)
- Cognitive testing focused on attention, memory, and executive function
- Personalized recommendations for supports at school, work, or in therapy
The results provide diagnostic clarity and guidance for next steps, including accommodations, coaching, or treatment planning.
Autism Assessment – Child
An assessment to determine whether a child shows characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Designed to explore how they communicate, connect socially, and respond to the world around them.
Autism assessments for children involve a detailed review of developmental history, caregiver input, and structured observation using evidence-based tools such as the ADOS-2. The goal is to understand how a child’s strengths and challenges present across settings, including at home, school, and in peer relationships. We also screen for other concerns that may overlap with or mimic autism-related behaviours, such as ADHD or anxiety.
Key components include:
- Structured developmental and behavioural interview with caregivers
- Direct assessment using gold-standard diagnostic tools (e.g., ADOS-2)
- Clear feedback and recommendations for supports, services, and school accommodations
This assessment helps families understand their child’s profile and how best to support their growth and well-being.
Autism Assessment – Adult
A structured assessment to determine whether current or lifelong experiences are consistent with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Designed for adults seeking clarity about social communication, sensory processing, and identity.
This assessment helps adults explore whether long-standing patterns in communication, relationships, sensory sensitivity, or routine-based thinking are consistent with a diagnosis of autism. It includes a detailed clinical interview, self-report measures, and behavioural screening tools designed for adults. Many individuals pursue this assessment later in life after recognizing potential traits or receiving feedback from others.
Key components include:
- Comprehensive clinical interview with a focus on developmental and social history
- Validated self-assessment and observer-report tools
- Personalized report outlining diagnostic findings and relevant support recommendations
This process provides clarity and helps inform next steps in education, employment, or personal growth.
Capacity Assessment
A psychological assessment used to determine whether an individual can understand and make informed decisions about personal, financial, or legal matters.
Capacity assessments evaluate a person’s ability to make decisions and understand the consequences of those decisions. These may relate to health care, finances, legal planning, or guardianship. The assessment includes a clinical interview, review of relevant documentation, and the use of screening and standardized measures tailored to the referral question. It can also be completed for the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee (Form 4), or for other specific legal or medical purposes.
Key components include:
- Evaluation of decision-making abilities through clinical and cognitive measures
- Review of background information and applicable documentation
- Clear reporting for legal, medical, or planning purposes, including Form 4 completion if required
This assessment helps establish whether a person has the capacity to make specific types of decisions and ensures appropriate next steps are clearly communicated.
Diagnostic Psychological Assessment
An assessment designed to explore specific mental health or behavioural concerns and determine whether they meet criteria for a formal diagnosis.
Diagnostic psychological assessments help identify underlying causes of emotional, social, or behavioural challenges in both children and adults. These assessments focus on symptom presentation, history, and functioning, and may include structured interviews, behavioural checklists, and personality or emotional functioning measures. The goal is to provide diagnostic clarity, identify contributing factors, and support the development of an effective treatment plan.
Key components include:
- Clinical interview and symptom-focused assessment tools
- Behavioural and emotional functioning measures tailored by age
- Recommendations for therapy, school supports, or additional services
This process helps individuals and families better understand what’s contributing to current difficulties and outlines realistic next steps.
Gifted Assessment
An assessment used to determine whether a child meets the criteria for intellectual giftedness, often for program placement or educational planning.
Gifted assessments evaluate a child’s cognitive abilities to determine whether they meet standardized thresholds for giftedness. This type of assessment focuses on intellectual reasoning, problem-solving, and verbal and non-verbal abilities. It may be requested by schools, parents, or psychologists to help determine eligibility for specialized learning programs or to better understand a child’s cognitive profile and learning needs.
Key components include:
- Standardized cognitive testing (e.g., Wechsler Intelligence Scale)
- Developmental and academic context considered in interpretation
- Report includes IQ scores and recommendations for enrichment or placement
This assessment provides objective insight into intellectual strengths and helps guide educational decision-making.
Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Assessment
A psychological assessment for individuals experiencing emotional, cognitive, or behavioural impacts following a motor vehicle accident.
MVA assessments help identify the psychological effects of a car accident, such as trauma-related symptoms, anxiety, depression, or chronic pain adjustment. These assessments are tailored to the level of complexity and may range from brief screening to comprehensive evaluation. Findings are often used to support treatment planning, insurance claims, or legal proceedings, and recommendations are grounded in both clinical best practices and individual needs.
Key components include:
- Clinical interview and trauma-related screening tools
- Assessment of mood, coping, and functional challenges
- Detailed report outlining diagnosis, symptom impact, and treatment recommendations
Whether short or comprehensive, this assessment provides clarity to guide recovery and access to appropriate supports.
Neuropsychological Assessment
A comprehensive assessment that explores how brain functioning impacts memory, attention, reasoning, and emotional regulation.
Neuropsychological assessments are used to understand changes in cognitive or psychological functioning that may be related to injury, illness, or developmental conditions. This type of assessment includes a detailed clinical interview, standardized cognitive testing, and emotional and behavioural screening. It is often recommended when individuals experience difficulties with memory, concentration, problem-solving, or emotional control, especially following head trauma or neurological illness.
Key components include:
- Standardized testing of memory, attention, language, and executive functioning
- Evaluation of emotional and behavioural functioning
- Report includes diagnosis (if applicable), cognitive profile, and recommendations
The assessment results help guide treatment, accommodations, or supports needed for daily life, school, or work.
Parenting Capacity Assessment
An in-depth psychological assessment that evaluates a parent’s ability to meet the developmental, emotional, and safety needs of their child.
Parenting capacity assessments are often requested in the context of child protection or custody matters. This evaluation includes clinical interviews, cognitive and emotional functioning tests, behavioural observations, and validated parenting measures. It explores the “goodness of fit” between the parent’s abilities and the child’s specific needs. In some cases, additional psychological or neurological components may be added for greater clarity.
Key components include:
- Measures of cognitive, emotional, and parenting functioning
- Observation of parent-child interactions
- Comprehensive report with strengths, risks, and actionable recommendations
This assessment is designed to inform legal decisions and help identify supports that promote safe and effective parenting.
PDD & AISH Eligibility Assessment
An assessment to determine whether an individual meets criteria for government programs such as Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) or Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH).
This assessment evaluates cognitive and adaptive functioning to support eligibility for provincial assistance programs. To qualify for PDD, individuals must demonstrate significant intellectual and adaptive impairments. AISH eligibility is based on a diagnosed medical or psychological condition that substantially limits the ability to maintain employment. The assessment includes cognitive testing, adaptive behaviour scales, and emotional functioning measures as needed. Reports are tailored to meet the documentation requirements for these programs.
Key components include:
- IQ testing and adaptive functioning measures (e.g., ABAS-3)
- Optional screening for emotional or behavioural challenges
- Detailed reporting aligned with government eligibility criteria
This process ensures accurate documentation for program applications and helps clarify ongoing support needs.
Pre-Employment / Law Enforcement Assessment
A psychological assessment used to evaluate emotional stability, behavioural risk, and decision-making capacity for high-responsibility roles, including law enforcement and other armed positions.
This type of assessment is often a requirement for individuals applying to positions that involve authority, safety responsibilities, or access to firearms. It includes a structured clinical interview, personality inventories, and stress-tolerance evaluations. The goal is to identify risk factors and determine psychological suitability for roles with public safety implications. Results are interpreted in accordance with government or organizational guidelines for pre-employment screening.
Key components include:
- Personality testing (e.g., MMPI-3, 16PF) and risk screening tools
- Stress tolerance and behavioural regulation assessment
- Report designed to support personnel decision-making processes
This assessment helps ensure the emotional and psychological readiness of candidates entering safety-sensitive positions.
Psychoeducational Assessment
An assessment that explores how a person learns, thinks, and processes information to identify learning strengths, challenges, or potential disabilities.
Psychoeducational assessments are most commonly used for children and adolescents, but can also benefit adults pursuing post-secondary education. They evaluate cognitive abilities (like reasoning and memory), academic achievement (such as reading and math), and emotional-behavioural functioning in an academic context. This assessment can help explain school difficulties, support diagnoses such as learning disorders or ADHD, and provide recommendations for classroom accommodations or individualized education plans (IEPs).
Key components include:
- Cognitive and academic testing using standardized tools
- Emotional and behavioural screening as relevant
- Detailed report with diagnostic clarity and practical school-based recommendations
The assessment offers a comprehensive understanding of learning needs and helps guide support strategies in academic settings.
Psychovocational Assessment
An assessment to evaluate a person's cognitive, emotional, and vocational strengths to support career planning or workplace reintegration.
Psychovocational assessments are often requested when individuals are exploring career options, re-entering the workforce, or recovering from injury or illness. These assessments evaluate cognitive and academic abilities, personality traits, emotional health, and vocational aptitudes. The goal is to identify potential job matches, training opportunities, and areas where additional support may be needed to succeed in the workplace.
Key components include:
- Standardized testing of intelligence, academic skills, and career aptitudes
- Assessment of emotional functioning and work-related stress tolerance
- Personalized report outlining strengths, barriers, and recommended employment pathways
This assessment provides a practical roadmap for returning to work or pursuing meaningful vocational goals.
Return to Work Assessment
A psychological assessment designed to evaluate emotional and cognitive readiness for returning to work following injury, illness, or extended leave.
This assessment is helpful when individuals are preparing to re-enter the workforce after experiencing mental health challenges, physical illness, or workplace-related stress. It explores current emotional functioning, cognitive capacity, and potential barriers to successful employment. The assessment also provides clear, evidence-based recommendations for next steps, which may include accommodations, therapy, or gradual return-to-work planning.
Key components include:
- Evaluation of emotional health, behavioural regulation, and coping ability
- Optional cognitive screening based on referral needs
- Recommendations to support sustained and successful work re-entry
The results help individuals, employers, or care teams develop return-to-work strategies that align with mental and emotional capacity.
Substance Use Assessment
An assessment that evaluates patterns of alcohol or drug use, associated risks, and readiness for treatment or behavioural change.
Substance use assessments are used to understand whether an individual is experiencing problems related to alcohol or drug use. These assessments include clinical interviews, standardized screening tools, and analysis of behavioural and emotional functioning. The process helps clarify diagnosis, assess the severity of use, and recommend appropriate treatment or harm-reduction strategies. It can also be helpful in legal or occupational contexts where substance use concerns have been raised.
Key components include:
- Screening for alcohol and drug use severity using validated tools (e.g., SASSI-IV, DAST, MAST)
- Assessment of related emotional, behavioural, and social impacts
- Recommendations for treatment planning, support services, or workplace follow-up
This assessment provides a professional, nonjudgmental foundation for understanding substance-related concerns and next steps.
Family Law
Psychological assessments used in family law contexts assist with legal decision-making in cases involving custody, parenting, and child welfare. These evaluations are requested by lawyers, courts, or agencies to answer specific referral questions using objective, evidence-based methods.
Assessments are tailored to the legal context and are often used to support decisions related to parenting arrangements, parent-child dynamics, and child safety.
Voice of the Child Assessment
A structured process that allows children to share their views and experiences in family law matters, while ensuring their safety and developmental stage are respected.
Voice of the Child assessments provide an opportunity for children to express their perspectives about parenting arrangements in separation, divorce, or child welfare proceedings. Conducted by trained professionals, these assessments involve interviews, play-based observations, and age-appropriate tools. While the child’s voice is central, it is balanced with their developmental capacity and the context of the situation.
Key components include:
- Child-led interviews tailored to age and developmental stage
- Neutral summary of the child’s views, not recommendations
- Report written with sensitivity and clarity for court or mediation use
These assessments help ensure children are heard in legal matters without being placed in the middle of conflict.
Triage Assessment (PN7)
A brief, early-stage evaluation to help guide next steps in high-conflict family disputes. Focused on identifying immediate concerns and recommending appropriate interventions.
Triage assessments are designed to provide a preliminary understanding of family dynamics and risks early in the legal process. They are often used to determine whether a more comprehensive evaluation is needed. The process may include brief interviews with parents and limited documentation review. These assessments are efficient and help courts or professionals make timely, informed decisions.
Key components include:
- Focused clinical interviews with parents
- Identification of urgent concerns (e.g., conflict, safety, resistance)
- Recommendations for further assessment or intervention
Triage assessments are particularly useful in early legal stages when there are questions about next steps or service needs.
Parent Psychological Evaluation (PN7)
An evaluation of a parent’s psychological functioning as it relates to their capacity to meet their child’s emotional, developmental, and safety needs.
Parent Psychological Evaluations are completed as part of court-directed Practice Note 7 processes. These assessments involve a clinical interview, standardized measures of personality and psychological functioning, and a review of relevant collateral information. The purpose is to understand how a parent’s mental health, cognitive abilities, and behavioural patterns may affect their parenting. This evaluation does not assess parenting behaviour directly but informs broader family court decision-making.
Key components include:
- Clinical interview and standardized psychological testing
- Review of relevant records or collateral sources
- Findings focus on parental functioning within the context of court proceedings
This assessment helps clarify whether mental health or psychological concerns may impact a parent’s ability to meet their child’s needs.
Child Psychological Evaluation (PN7)
A psychological assessment of a child to better understand emotional, behavioural, or developmental concerns relevant to parenting or custody decisions.
This evaluation is part of a court-ordered Practice Note 7 process and is used to clarify a child’s emotional or psychological functioning in the context of family law proceedings. It includes clinical interviews with the child, caregiver input, behavioural observations, and standardized emotional and behavioural assessments. The goal is to identify mental health concerns, trauma-related symptoms, or other psychological needs that may affect parenting decisions.
Key components include:
- Age-appropriate clinical interviews and behavioural assessments
- Information gathered from caregivers or collaterals
- Report addresses psychological functioning and support needs
The assessment offers insight into the child’s emotional world and helps inform legal decisions that prioritize their well-being.
Parenting/Custody Evaluation (PN8)
A comprehensive assessment that examines parenting capacity, parent-child relationships, and family dynamics to support legal decisions about custody and access.
Parenting/Custody Evaluations are conducted under Practice Note 8 and are typically ordered in complex or high-conflict family law cases. These evaluations include extensive clinical interviews with each parent, observation of parent-child interactions, review of legal and collateral documents, and standardized psychological testing as needed. The goal is to assess the fit between each parent’s strengths and limitations and the unique needs of the child. The final report provides clear, evidence-based recommendations for parenting arrangements that prioritize the child’s best interests.
Key components include:
- Multiple interviews with parents and child(ren)
- Parent-child observations and collateral consultation
- Recommendations regarding parenting time and decision-making responsibilities
This assessment supports courts and legal professionals in making informed, child-focused custody and access decisions.
Criminal Law
Psychological assessments in criminal law contexts are used to inform legal decisions related to sentencing, fitness to stand trial, criminal responsibility, and risk of reoffending. These evaluations are conducted by clinicians with forensic expertise and follow standards established by the courts.
They are most often requested by lawyers, judges, or probation officers and may be used in both adult and youth criminal matters.
Pre-Sentencing Assessment
An assessment used to provide psychological context and clinical recommendations to inform sentencing decisions in criminal proceedings.
Pre-sentencing assessments evaluate psychological, cognitive, or emotional factors that may have contributed to an individual’s offence or affect their rehabilitation. These assessments often include a clinical interview, standardized testing, and review of relevant documentation. They are used to guide sentencing decisions by providing insight into mental health concerns, treatment needs, and potential for reoffending. Reports are written in a neutral, court-appropriate format.
Key components include:
- Clinical interview and psychological testing
- Evaluation of mental health and risk-related factors
- Recommendations related to sentencing, treatment, or supervision
This assessment supports a more individualized sentencing process by identifying underlying clinical needs and risk factors.
Capacity to Stand Trial Assessment
An evaluation of whether an individual has the cognitive and psychological ability to understand legal proceedings and meaningfully participate in their own defense.
This assessment determines whether a person meets the legal threshold for being “fit to stand trial.” It focuses on the individual's understanding of courtroom roles, legal concepts, and ability to consult with counsel. The evaluation includes clinical interviews, mental status examination, and tools specific to assessing legal competence. It is commonly requested by defense counsel or the court when concerns arise about mental health or comprehension.
Key components include:
- Evaluation of comprehension, reasoning, and communication skills
- Assessment of psychological functioning and presence of active symptoms
- Opinion provided regarding fitness based on legal standards
This assessment informs the court on whether an individual is capable of proceeding through trial in a legally competent manner.
Non-Criminally Responsible (NCR) Assessment
An assessment that examines whether an individual had the mental capacity to understand their actions at the time of an offence, as defined under Canadian law.
The NCR assessment evaluates whether a mental disorder rendered a person incapable of appreciating the nature or wrongness of their actions at the time of the offence. This complex evaluation involves psychological and cognitive testing, review of offence-related behaviour, and structured tools specific to criminal responsibility. It is typically requested by defense counsel and carried out by a forensic psychologist experienced in legal testimony and court processes.
Key components include:
- Comprehensive clinical interview and mental health history
- Forensic risk and personality assessments
- Structured evaluation of criminal responsibility using validated tools (e.g., R-CRAS)
The report provides an expert opinion regarding whether a person meets the legal criteria for being found not criminally responsible due to mental disorder.
Comprehensive Risk Assessment
An in-depth assessment used to evaluate the likelihood of future offending, including sexual, violent, or general recidivism risk.
This assessment examines psychological functioning, behavioural patterns, and historical risk factors to estimate the probability of future offending. Risk assessments are used in criminal court, parole hearings, and treatment planning. The process may include structured tools for evaluating risk in areas such as sexual offending, domestic violence, or general violence. Recommendations are provided for risk management, treatment needs, and supervision.
Key components include:
- Structured interviews and risk assessment tools (e.g., Static-99R, VRAG-R, HCR-20)
- Review of offence history, psychological profile, and behavioural indicators
- Clear opinion on risk level and mitigation strategies
The assessment informs decision-making related to sentencing, supervision, or release planning.
Immigration Law
Psychological assessments in immigration cases are used to support applications for humanitarian and compassionate grounds, refugee claims, or stays of removal. These evaluations document the psychological impact of deportation, family separation, or past trauma, and are typically submitted alongside legal or medical evidence.
Reports are tailored to the requirements of immigration authorities and focus on emotional, cognitive, and social factors relevant to the applicant’s case.
Humanitarian and Compassionate Grounds Assessment
A psychological evaluation prepared to support immigration applications based on humanitarian and compassionate considerations, including hardship, trauma, or mental health concerns.
This assessment is often submitted alongside immigration applications where removal from Canada would result in significant hardship to the applicant or their family. The evaluation includes a clinical interview, psychological screening tools, and a review of relevant psychosocial history. It considers factors such as mental health diagnoses, access to treatment in the country of origin, family separation, and the best interests of any children involved. Reports are structured to meet immigration documentation requirements.
Key components include:
- Clinical interview and trauma-informed psychological screening
- Assessment of emotional, social, and functional impacts of removal
- Clear summary aligned with IRCC criteria for humanitarian applications
This report helps support legal submissions by documenting the psychological impact of immigration decisions on the applicant and their family.
Professional Misconduct
Professional Misconduct-related Psychological Assessment
What Are Psychological Assessments?
Each assessment is tailored to the individual and the referral context. Depending on the need, the process may include interviews, standardized testing, behavioural observations, and collateral information. The results are summarized in a comprehensive report with clear findings and practical recommendations.
Assessments are often requested by individuals, families, schools, employers, lawyers, or agencies seeking clarity and direction.
Call Our Intake Team
(780) 428-9223
Is a Psychological Assessment Right for You?
There are many reasons someone might seek a psychological assessment — and it’s okay if you’re not exactly sure which type you need. Our team is here to help clarify that with you.
You may benefit from an assessment if:
You’ve been referred by a lawyer, doctor, or another professional
What to Expect from the Psychological Assessment Process
Here’s how the process typically works:
Connect with Our Intake Team
Review and Sign Required Forms
Attend Your Assessment Sessions
Receive Your Report and Feedback
Why Choose Us For Your Psychological Assessment?
Clinical and Forensic Expertise
Clear, Evidence-Based Reports
Compassionate, Client-Centred Approach
Child, Youth, and Adult Services
Inclusive & Culturally Sensitive Care
Flexible Locations and Virtual Options
Professionals
Providing Couples Therapy
Years
Combined Experience
Take the Next Step With a Psychological Assessment
To begin the process, connect with our intake team by phone or through our secure contact form. We’ll guide you through the next steps and help match you with the right assessment for your needs.
Have Questions? Call Our Intake Team
