How do I know if counselling is right for me?

If emotional distress, stress, relationship challenges, or life transitions are affecting your wellbeing or daily functioning, counselling may be helpful. You do not need to be in crisis to benefit from counselling.

Is counselling confidential?

Yes. Counselling services are confidential and follow Alberta privacy legislation and professional ethical standards. Information is only shared with consent or when legally required.

Do you offer virtual counselling in Alberta?

Yes. We provide secure virtual counselling for clients located anywhere in Alberta. Virtual sessions follow the same professional and ethical standards as in-person counselling.

Is counselling covered by insurance?

Many extended health benefit plans cover counselling services provided by registered or provisional psychologists. Coverage varies by plan, so clients are encouraged to confirm details with their insurance provider.

How long does counselling take?

The length of counselling varies depending on individual goals and needs. Some clients attend short-term counselling focused on specific concerns, while others choose longer-term support.

Who provides counselling at WJW Counselling & Mediation?

Counselling services are provided by registered psychologists, provisional psychologists, and trained mental-health therapists. Clients are matched with a clinician based on their needs and preferences.

Personality and Behavioral Assessments

Home » Psychological Assessments in St. Albert » Behavioural Assessment

Diagnosing personality and behavioral disorders is a complex process that typically involves a comprehensive evaluation conducted by mental health professionals, such as psychologists or psychiatrists.

These disorders are characterized by enduring patterns of behavior, cognition, and inner experience that deviate from cultural norms and cause significant distress or impairment in various areas of an individual’s life.

Here's how the diagnosis of personality and behavioral disorders is typically conducted:

Clinical Assessment

The assessment process often begins with a clinical interview, during which the mental health professional gathers detailed information about the individual’s presenting concerns, symptoms, and history. This interview provides an initial understanding of the individual’s emotional, behavioral, and interpersonal patterns.

Observation

The clinician may conduct direct observations of the individual’s behavior and interactions in different settings to assess how they respond to various situations and stimuli.

Standardized Assessment Tools

Psychologists often use standardized assessment tools, questionnaires, and diagnostic criteria to aid in the assessment process. These tools are designed to measure specific personality traits, symptom severity, and other relevant factors.

Psychological Testing

In some cases, psychological tests may be administered to assess personality, cognitive functioning, or specific aspects of behavior and emotion. These tests can provide objective data that helps with diagnosis.

Differential Diagnosis

The clinician carefully considers other possible explanations for the individual’s symptoms and behaviors, ruling out medical conditions, substance use, or other psychiatric disorders that may mimic or co-occur with personality or behavioral disorders.

Collateral Information

Information from family members, friends, or other relevant sources may be gathered with the individual’s consent to provide additional insights into their behavior, relationships, and history.

Duration and Pattern

Personality and behavioral disorders are characterized by enduring patterns of behavior, cognition, and emotion. The clinician assesses whether these patterns have been present over an extended period (typically dating back to adolescence or early adulthood) and whether they are pervasive across various situations.

Severity and Impairment

The assessment considers the severity of symptoms and the level of impairment or distress they cause in the individual’s personal, social, or occupational functioning.

Cultural and Developmental Factors

Cultural and developmental factors are taken into account to ensure that behavior and symptom patterns are considered within their cultural context and developmental stage.

Comorbidity

It’s common for individuals with personality or behavioral disorders to have co-occurring mental health conditions, such as mood disorders or substance use disorders. The assessment evaluates for comorbid conditions.

Feedback and Diagnosis

After completing the assessment, the mental health professional provides feedback to the individual, discusses the diagnosis (if applicable), and recommends appropriate treatment options.

Book With...

Psychological Assessments

Anureet Gill – ADHD Assessments for Children & Adults

Adult Autism & ADHD Assessments

Sandeep Kaur – Registered Assessment Psychologist Autism and Adult Assessments

Psycho Education Assessments https://wjwcounselling.org/assessments/autism-assessment-for-children/

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