Assessment & Diagnosis
for Mental Health Challenges In Ontario
At The Journey Counselling and Psychotherapy, we partner with Psychotherapy Matters Virtual Clinic (PMVC) to offer collaborative care. Clients in our assessment and diagnosis program receive support from their therapist, family doctor, and a PMVC psychiatrist.
“A diagnosis is not the end of the story—it’s the beginning of understanding, of reclaiming power, and of writing a new chapter with hope at its center.”
With the collaborative support of a trained therapist, a psychiatrist and your family doctor, you can come to understand your symptoms, develop a comprehensive treatment plan and work towards creating a better life.
Assessment and Diagnosis Can Help With
Receive validation and clarify your feelings and symptoms
Provide assistance with educational or employment supports
Help distinguish your symptoms from you as a person
Assessment & Diagnosis Could Help you
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Gain clarity about what you’re experiencing
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Put a name to what feels confusing or overwhelming
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Understand your symptoms in context
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Access the right support for your needs
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Break free from shame or self-blame
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Discover your strengths alongside your struggles
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Feel validated in your experiences
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Navigate next steps with confidence
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Build a roadmap for healing
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Find hope in a clearer path forward
Assessment & diagnosis can offer a compassionate, non-judgmental process to better understand what you're going through. With the right insight, you can begin to make sense of your experiences, identify what’s been holding you back, and access the support that truly fits your needs. Gaining a clear picture can be the first empowering step toward healing, growth, and renewed hope.
Why The Journey Counselling and Psychotherapy?
Collaborative, Comprehensive Care
Our assessments integrate with your circle of care. We work with family doctors, psychiatrists, and other professionals to ensure coordinated support, reduce gaps, and improve outcomes, especially when medication or accommodations are needed.
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Clarity Beyond Talk Therapy
While therapy offers space for healing and growth, assessments add insight. By clarifying diagnoses, learning profiles, or vocational challenges, we help uncover the “why” behind your experiences and guide your next steps.
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Informed, Personalized Recommendations
A thorough assessment can guide therapy, shape treatment, and clarify if referrals or extra support are needed. Whether you’re facing complex symptoms, work stress, academic issues, or emotional challenges, our process helps you move forward with a clear plan.
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Empowering, Not Labeling
We approach diagnosis as a tool for empowerment—not a box to put you in. We focus on both your challenges and your capacities, offering a balanced perspective that fosters self-understanding and hope.
Therapists Offering Assessment & Diagnosis Services
With an Assessment & Diagnosis Appointment through PMVC, your therapist will:
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Take care of all paperwork
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Book your appointment
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Attend the appointment with you to provide support and advocate for you
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Collaborate directly with the Psychiatrist immediately following your assessment to create a custom treatment plan
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Receive the assessment report from the Psychiatrist and consult with other professionals (your family doctor and other therapists) to provide you the highest level of care.
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Assist you with any further advocacy such as applying for an IEP or OSDP.
Our Process
Each client must see their therapist for a minimum of 2 sessions prior to their Psychiatrist appointment with PMVC.
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Session 1: your therapist will collect all information required for the paperwork
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Paperwork: your therapist will complete all paperwork required.
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Doctor’s referral: your therapist will send you a completed package of paperwork to take to your family doctor (nurse practitioner or walk-in clinic is also permissible). Your doctor will sign and fax the completed paperwork directly to PMVC
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Your therapist will receive booking invitation from PMVC
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Session 2: You will have your second session with your therapist to prepare for the PMVC appointment
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PMVC appointment: you will attend your PMVC assessment appointment with your therapist
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Debrief: following your appointment your therapist will debrief with you
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Additional sessions, consultation and follow up: as desired
Investment
Psychiatrist visits through PMVC are covered in full by OHIP (clients must have valid OHIP coverage).
Procedure | Initial Paperwork Fee |
|---|---|
Initial Session + Paperwork | $410.00 |
Second Session | $220.00 |
Assessment and Debrief time (based on 2 hours) | $500.00 |
Please note that the initial appointment is on average 90 minutes, and each follow-up appointment is on average 30 minutes. Appointment times will vary depending on the client’s presenting problem and need.
If you wish to obtain a diagnosis for ADHD or ASD, the PMVC program charges an additional $350 fee through their specialized ADHD or ASD Matters programs.