Diagnostic Assessment

Book a Free Consultation

What is a diagnostic assessment?

A diagnostic assessment provides a comprehensive understanding of your mental health by exploring your symptoms, history, and functioning. Through detailed interviews and standardized psychological testing, psychologists evaluate areas such as mood, anxiety, personality, and coping, to clarify what may be contributing to your difficulties.

This type of assessment can help determine whether a mental health condition such as depression, an anxiety disorder, PTSD, or another concern may be present. It also helps differentiate between overlapping issues and helps us choose the most effective treatment approach for your challenges.

Why choose a diagnostic assessment?

People often seek a psychodiagnostic assessment when they:

Want to ensure they get the right treatment for their condition.
Are curious about whether their mental health symptoms meet diagnostic criteria for a specific disorder.
Need clear documentation for treatment planning, workplace accommodation, or medical collaboration.

What does the assessment involve?

An assessment involves meeting with a psychologist for one or more sessions to share information on your background, history, current symptoms, and main problem areas. Semi-structured or standardized assessment batteries may be used in addition to questionnaires and a clinical interview. At Pillar Mental Health Group, assessments are evidence-based, compassionate, and tailored to your unique context. The goal is to provide clarity, validation, and direction so you can move forward with a clear understanding of your mental health and the next steps in care. Your psychologist will walk you through the process to ensure you are comfortable and clear on the purpose and goals of the assessment.

What disorders do we assess for?

At Pillar Mental Health Group we diagnose:

Anxiety Disorders (social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder and agoraphobia, specific phobia, illness anxiety disorder).
Mood Disorders (depressive and bipolar disorders)
Traumatic/stress disorders (Post-traumatic stress disorder, adjustment disorder)
Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders (OCD, Hair Pulling, Skin Picking)
Substance Use Disorders
ADHD (see more information here)

Do I need a formal diagnostic assessment?

Not necessarily. Many clients begin therapy with a more focused, clinical intake rather than a full diagnostic assessment. At the start of treatment, your clinician will help you clarify your main concerns and will complete evidence-based screening and assessment measures as part of your care. In many cases, this is sufficient to inform a working diagnosis and guide treatment. A formal diagnostic assessment is recommended when you need greater clarity about your mental health, when a physician or third party has requested formal documentation, or when a comprehensive written report or diagnosis is required for educational, workplace, or medical purposes.

What do I get after the assessment?

If you are requesting a formal diagnostic assessment, you will receive a copy of the assessment report after the assessment is complete, which can also be shared with other providers (e.g., family doctor). An assessment report includes diagnostic information and tailored treatment recommendations. We can also provide accommodation letters if appropriate.

Price & Timeline

We understand that waiting for an assessment is stressful. At Pillar Mental Health Group, we do our best to ensure that assessments are completed within a period of two weeks, and that a report will be sent to you (and a care provider if requested) within two weeks after the final assessment appointment. We promise to communicate about timelines throughout the process. To learn more about our pricing, visit our Pricing Page.

Ready to Get Started?

Book your assessment consultation today

Book a Free Consultation