Assessment Services at Step Stone
Psychological Assesssments
What’s Included?
Diagnostic Interview
What it is: A thorough clinical conversation with the individual (and caregivers when appropriate) to review presenting concerns, developmental and medical history, family background, and current functioning.
Why we do it: To form the clinical questions that guide testing (e.g., diagnosis of mood disorder, ADHD, autism, or trauma-related conditions) and to understand context and priorities.
What to expect: One or more structured or semi-structured sessions where the clinician asks about symptoms, timelines, medication, school/work impact, and coping strategies.
Questionnaires
What it is: Validated self-, caregiver-, and/or informant-report forms that measure symptoms of depression, anxiety, ADHD, trauma, behaviour problems, sleep, and adaptive functioning.
Why we do it: To quantify symptom severity, compare functioning to normative groups, and collect consistent data from multiple settings (home, work, school).
What to expect: Online or paper forms completed before or during the assessment; results are integrated with interview and testing data.
Cognitive Measures
What it is: Focused tests of attention, working memory, processing speed, executive functioning, and other cognitive processes that affect day-to-day life. Note: this excludes academic achievement testing.
Why we do it: To identify cognitive patterns that contribute to difficulties with focus, organization, decision-making, or daily living—particularly useful for ADHD, acquired brain injury, or other neurodevelopmental concerns.
What to expect: Short, clinician-administered tasks or computer-based measures that assess how someone processes and manipulates information.
Personality & Identity Measures
What it is: Structured inventories that help describe personality traits, interpersonal style, coping patterns, and areas of strength and vulnerability.
Why we do it: To clarify treatment targets, understand relationship dynamics, and inform therapy approaches (e.g., when psychodynamic or schema-focused work may be helpful).
What to expect: Questionnaires (often self-report) plus clinical interpretation linking scores to everyday behaviour and therapy planning.
Observations & Impressions
What it is: Direct observation of behaviour in the clinic and structured questions about behaviour across settings; may include functional analysis of triggers and maintaining factors.
Why we do it: To see how symptoms present in real time and to identify environmental factors that increase or decrease problem behaviours.
What to expect: Observations during assessment sessions and targeted questions about routines, antecedents, and consequences at home or work.
Feedback & Report
What it is: A clear written report summarizing findings, diagnostic impressions (if any), and concrete, prioritized recommendations—plus a feedback session to review results in plain language.
Why we do it: To translate assessment data into usable next steps for therapy, workplace/school supports, medication consultation, or community resources.
What to expect:
Written report: Explains test results, interpretation, functional impact, and recommended interventions or accommodations.
Feedback meeting: An opportunity to ask questions, discuss implications, and plan next steps (virtual or in person). Caregivers or workplace/school representatives can join by consent.
Follow-up support: We can provide letters for employers or clinicians, help with referrals, and offer targeted recommendations for therapy or behavioural strategies
Interested in pursuing a psychological assessment? Reach out to us to learn more if this service is right for you.
What Distinguishes Psychological Assessments From Psychoeducational?
Psychoeducational assessments focus on learning—how someone thinks, processes information, and performs in reading, writing, and math—while psychological assessments focus on emotional and behavioural health, diagnosing mood, anxiety, trauma, or personality concerns. If your primary worry is school performance or learning differences, a psychoeducational evaluation is usually the best first step; if you’re concerned about mood, behaviour, or mental-health diagnosis and treatment planning, a psychological assessment is more appropriate. Not sure which fits? We’re happy to help you choose the right path—reach out for a brief consultation.
