PERSONAL SERVICES
ASSESSMENT
A good assessment is the starting point of any psychological treatment, but sometimes our clients need more formal and specialized assessment. At Southport Psychology, we have extensive experience in psychological assessment, including the assessment of anxiety disorders, mood disorders, psychotic disorders and personality disorders. We also provide assessment of learning disorders, developmental disability and ADHD, all with a view to identifying the necessary accommodations that would have to be made to help clients achieve their fullest potential at work or school. Other common referrals involve determining a person’s capacity to return to work after a period away from their job (or how best to achieve a meaningful return to work), evaluating cognitive/memory capacities, and assessing vocational aptitudes.
Each of our assessments is individually tailored to the specific needs of the client and incorporates a thorough clinical interview, a review of previous reports, standardized assessment measures, and collateral interviews with family members (if desired/needed). Clients receive a comprehensive report at the end of the testing process and direct feedback from the psychologist. Recommendations about any necessary accommodations for employers/educators are included in the report. Our reports are thorough, accurate, and understandable, and are aimed at optimizing the potential of the individual being assessed.
We accept referrals for assessment directly from the public, but also commonly receive requests for assessments from other professionals (e.g., other therapists, family physicians, the military, insurance companies, and members of the legal system) for the purposes of clarifying a diagnosis or to assist in making treatment or rehabilitation recommendations.
If you are considering a referral for an assessment for yourself or someone else, please give us a call – we would be happy to discuss your assessment needs with you, and to provide you with an estimate regarding the time and cost of the assessment.
THERAPY
Most of us face difficult problems and challenges at some point in our lives. Sometimes the pressure of these difficulties mounts, leaving us feeling confused or hopeless. We may lose interest in activities we had typically enjoyed and our relationships may suffer. We may even resort to coping behaviours that are more harmful than helpful. It’s during these times that we are most likely to consider therapy.
Therapy is not about finding someone to tell you what to do. It is a collaborative relationship between a client and a therapist that is aimed at helping the client address difficult issues or feelings in ways that enhance their belief in their ability to cope and to develop meaningful relationships and fulfilling lives. Sometimes these changes are achieved by helping a client say “goodbye” – to difficult memories, to unhelpful beliefs about themselves and others, to self-damaging habits, or to harmful relationships or relationship patterns. Sometimes the desired changes are achieved by learning new skills, exploring new perspectives, or trying specific exercises.
Research shows that psychotherapy is effective for a wide variety of people with a wide variety of problems, including: stress, anxiety, panic, phobias, trauma, depression, relationship issues, child behaviour problems, schizophrenia, substance abuse, and certain health problems. Clients often say that therapy helps them in many ways, including feeling supported, gaining insight, feeling more able to make desired life changes, and feeling better emotionally.
All of the psychologists at Southport Psychology have had years of advanced study and clinical experience. Our psychologists are committed to using proven therapy models and clinical techniques in the therapy process, but are also aware that the quality of the relationship between the psychologist and the client is possibly the most important ingredient for a successful outcome. Our goals are to help people feel safe and supported as they discuss difficult issues, to listen to people’s stories with compassion and respect, to provide sufficient structure and strategy in therapy to allow clients to determine if they are meeting their therapy goals, and to offer feedback and suggestions in an honest, clear manner.
This may be the first time you’ve considered trying therapy or you may be considering a return to therapy to revisit an older issue or to address a new one. Either way, spending a few minutes chatting with one of us on the phone will give you the opportunity to ask any questions you might have and help you get a sense of how we practise. While a brief conversation won’t guarantee a good fit, it’s a good place to start. We welcome your questions.