FAQs

A referral from your family doctor is not required. Many clients refer their child or teen themselves. Quite often though, others involved with your child/teen (e.g., a teacher, speech and language pathologist, pediatrician) will recommend a psychologist. Adults or couples that are seeking help can just call and book an appointment.

Yes, we do direct bill to many insurance companies but it is important that people call their insurance companies prior to their first appointment to confirm the amount and specific details of coverage for Psychological Services. For those insurance companies that we do not direct bill to, we can provide receipts with our psychologists’ license numbers for reimbursement of services.

You and/or your child/teens first visit with one of our psychologists will be an opportunity to get to know each other. In addition, a thorough history will be taken of the presenting problems and a lot information gathering.  Our child/teen psychologists may speak with you and your child/teen one-on-one or together. Once the concerns have been identified and you have determined the relationship is a good fit, our psychologists will make recommendations and create customized treatment plan to help reach your goals.

An assessment is a thorough evaluation of how your child/teen thinks, learns, feels and behaves. Our child/teen psychologists will work your child or teen through a set of activities, which may include interviews, observations, and various standardized testing measures. Our child/teen psychologists will also take the time to chat with you alone. Through these variety of tasks, our child/teen psychologists will be able to obtain a comprehensive snapshot of how your child or teen functions. The is goal of an assessment is to better understand why your child is struggling in one or more areas of their life and provide a starting off point for making significant changes.

That is completely up to our child/teen psychologists, and you and your child. At times our child/teen psychologists may want you present in the session, other times your child/teen wish for you not to attend. Dr. Jennie and her team does request that parents be available during treatment, so that they can check in with you about how things are progressing at home and discuss any changes that need to be made.

Many individuals provide therapy and treatment, however, the main difference in their titles lie within their education.

Psychologists and Psychiatrists go through many years of extensive formal training and are regulated under the Health Professions Act. Through this act, they are required by law to deliver professional services competently and ethically.

Psychologists have completed a bachelor’s degree and continued in graduate training in psychology. Although they may have training in the use of medication, Psychologists are unable to prescribe medication. The only professionals specifically trained and qualified in the development, research and administration of psychological tests used to assess concerns, Psychologists work to help people understand the nature of the difficulties of their concerns and provide the tools, skills and insight to minimize and manage the impact of these concerns.

Just like your family doctor, psychiatrists have a degree in medicine along with specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of mental, emotional and behavioral concerns.

Counsellors may come from a variety of backgrounds and some may even have a masters or doctoral degree from counselling programs, however, may not have training in the assessment or treatment in mental, emotional and developmental concerns. Counsellors are not regulated under the Health Professions Act.

Dr. Jennie and her team would be happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have with your child or teen. If you are unsure what your next step to take is, do not hesitate to call Dr. Jennie Psychology Group’s front desk to determine if her or her team’s services is right for you and/or your family.

Yes, we offer therapy for adults and couples, from ages 18 and up.