ADHD Assessment in Ontario: What Happens Step by Step

Hi Chris; I am just confirming your booked IN-PERSON apt for 1 hour on: Wednesday April 29 at 1030am with: Myself Be sure to contact me through email with any scheduling changes with as much notice as possible. PLEASE READ ALL DETAILS FOR YOUR APT BELOW. An electronic intake form has been sent to you and We normally ask everyone to complete this within 2 days in order to hold your reserved space. The intake saves time during your first apt and makes it easier for Dr. Barbera C. Psych to assist with therapy planning. Feel free to put as much or little detail as you think makes sense. Please let us know if you have any questions or difficulty accessing the intake form. For in person appointments: OUR OFFICE IS LOCATED in HAMILTON ONTRIO AT 67 Frid street UNIT 4 (NOT downstairs in unit 1C)- We are street level (no stairs) on the left side of the building (same side as appex)- the second door from the front corner of the building with free parking right outside our door. If anything changes we ask for at least 48 hours notice (2 business days as email/phone are not checked on weekends) to avoid the apt fee as this helps to make efficient use of apt times to keep the wait times as short as possible for everyone. If you are having difficulty finding the office or arriving late, please contact the therapist directly at: Dr. Barbera c. Psych- Jennifer.barbera2011@gmail.com, 905-407-5758 (please email). Please note that YOUR APT IS HELD SPECIFICALLY FOR YOU & MADE UNAVAILABLE TO OTHERS- WE REQUIRE AT LEAST 2 BUSINESS DAYS NOTICE TO CANCEL OR CHANGE AN APT WITHOUT THE APT FEE AUTOMATICALLY BEING CHARGED TO YOU. PLEASE SEE THE THERAPIST’S DIRECT CONTACT BELOW AS CANCELATIONS OR CHANGES ARE NOT ACCEPTED THROUGH THIS INTAKE EMAIL. We have this policy because demand for services is very high and we routinely turn people away for services. Last minute changes and cancelations increase wait times for others & create challenges for clinicians as we have fixed costs. No-show apts will always incur the full fee REGARDLESS OF THE REASON. For cancelations with less than 48 business hours notice- you will automatically be charged for the apt but you can discuss the reason at your next apt. If you are ill or have transportation difficulties you can request a virtual or phone apt. Payment for your appointment (including the first apt) will be due at the end of your apt (the same day). We accept payment via e-transfer to: admin@findinncalm.ca or by credit card. Please note that any balances overdue past the last day of a calendar month will be subject to a $25 admin & interest charge as this leads to a significant delay (at least 1 additional month) for the therapist to be paid for their services. We do not issue refunds for services rendered. We are not set up for direct billing to extended health benefits (we can only bill direct to WSIB or VA). If you are coming in because you are off of work and plan to request documentation, please be aware that many forms must be completed by a physician, not another regulated health professional (e.g., psychologist), and for forms that a psychologist can complete- you would need an assessment before a diagnosis can be confirmed or recommendations regarding any restrictions are made. With supervised services, the information from the assessment will have to first be reviewed by Dr. Barbera c. Psych or Dr. Amanda Robinson c. Psych during a scheduled time and an additional fee (usually around $125-$225) applies for the time to review the information and complete paperwork. Please let us know right away if this applies to you. We do not provide letters for court or other purposes. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns. Jennifer (Dr. Barbera c. Psych) On 2026-03-31 at 8:55 AM, "Chris N" wrote: Hi Dr Barbera, Unfortunately I’m working April 15th, but I can make April 29th at anytime. Is it 1030 on the 29th as well? Thank you so much Chris On Mar 31, 2026, at 08:18, Dr. Barbera C. Psych & Associates wrote: Hi Chris; Are you available April 15th at 1030am for an in-person apt? Coming up I tend to have some 10:30 AM appointments every other Wednesday or so. And then, depending on how often you want to attend if the date doesn’t line up with your schedule, we would either need to schedule further apart or schedule a virtual appointment on a different day. Occasionally, I do also have an afternoon appointment on a Wednesday, but these spaces are quite full at the moment. If 1030 on the 15th doesn’t match your schedule what about on 29 April? Hope you’re having a good good morning, Jennifer On 2026-03-30 at 6:09 PM, "Chris N" wrote: Thank you so much Dr. Barbera, I am a shift worker for the Hamilton fire department as my main job, so I can attend daytime, early afternoon or evening- it would just be different week to week as the schedule follows a fixed rotation where we work every day of the week over a 28 day cycle. I am interested in a hybrid model- I always try to go in person, but sometimes I need to switch to virtual. I live in Meadowlands so your office is much closer to where I am currently traveling to in Burlington. Thank you so much for getting back to me Chris From: Dr. Barbera C. Psych & Associates Sent: March 30, 2026 9:01 AM To: Chris N Subject: Waiting for services Good morning Chris; Yes, I can certainly put your email in my waitlist folder and prioritize you since you have been seen under my supervision by Kim in the past and I still have your file. Can you please tell me more about your current usual availability and also confirm whether you’re looking for in person, virtual or hybrid of both? This would help me be able to better determine when I can assist you. Thank you, Jennifer (Dr. Barbera PhD, C. Psych). On 2026-03-30 at 8:54 AM, "Chris N" wrote: Thank you Dr. Barbera. I had reached out a few years ago but you were very busy having just adopted 2 children. You set me up with Kim Friesen who I continue to work with. She has moved further away and I still intend to see her but some co-workers had suggested that perhaps I should try to see another therapist to see if that would help and you were highly recommended. I understand that you are full currently, is it possible to be added to a waitlist if your schedule opens up in the future? Thank you, Chris From: Dr. Barbera C. Psych & Associates Sent: March 28, 2026 9:28 AM To: newsteadchris@hotmail.com Subject: Re: New submission from Contact Hi Chris; Thank you for reaching out regarding assistance in coping with a break-up. While I am full in my own apt schedule currently, I can likely set up an appointment for you with a well trained clinician that I work closely with. As the supervising psychologist I oversee all services—including reviewing your intake form, treatment planning, and any assessment—so you still benefit from my guidance. Would any of these dates and times work for you? Monday April 6 at 4 pm (virtual or in-person) Thursday April 9 at 4 pm (virtual or in-person) Monday April 13 at 1pm, 2pm, 4pm, 5pm and 6pm (virtual or in-person) Thursday April 16 at 2pm, 5pm, and 6pm (virtual or in-person) The apt would be with Christine Medvid, M.Psy. who has a masters degree in Psychology and works with adults, adolescents, and couples. Christine offers her services here on Mondays and Thursdays. Outside of private practice, she works at the McMaster University Medical Centre serving patients with chronic pain. Christine is completing her post-masters clinical work in order to register with the College of Psychologists. She uses approaches such as CBT, DBT, ACT, ERP and ICBT. Christine works with individuals on issues such as: chronic pain, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, alcohol/substance use, self-esteem/ self-image, OCD and relationship concerns. Appointments cost $225 for virtual and in-person. Monday, April 6 from 2:30-3:30 (in person or virtual) Tuesday, April 7 from 3:30-4:30 (in-person or virtual) Wednesday, April 8 from 12-1, 1:30-2:30 or 3-4 (in person or virtual) The appointment would be with Debra Schlegel, who has a Masters degree in Psychology and is currently completing her five years of post-masters clinical work as an associate under Dr. Barbera C. Psych’s supervision in order to register with the College of Psychologists. Debra has held various positions at the Centre for addiction and mental health (CAMH), where she gained experience assisting with mood and anxiety symptoms, trauma, substance use, stress and low self-esteem. Debra works with adults, and adolescents and couples and uses approaches such as ACT, DBT, MI, IFS and CBT. Appointments cost $215 for virtual and in-person. Tues Apr 7 at 1215pm (virtual) Thurs Apr 2 at 1:15pm (virtual only) Wed Apr 8 at 11am or 1215pm (virtual) Thurs Apr 9 at 8am or 9am (in person or virtual) The appointment would be with Destiny Taylor (Trafford) who has a Masters degree in Psychology and uses many of the same therapeutic approaches (e.g., CBT, DBT, IFS, CPT, ACT & EMDR). She works with adult individuals for issues such as stress, anxiety, low mood (including depression), low self-worth, trauma, loss and PTSD, OCD, alcohol or substance use, or relationship conflict. Destiny does not have evening apts at this time (full). Appointments cost $225 for virtual and in-person. Why book with us: -All associates have completed extensive training (6 years of university) in Psychology and thousands of hours of supervised clinical work. Associates are completing at least 5 years of supervised clinical work in order to register with the College of Psychologists. These requirements are much more extensive than for a psychotherapist, counsellor or social worker. -Dr. Jennifer Barbera PhD, C. Psych personally supervises all services to ensure quality, evidence-based care. In addition to 10 years of university study, she has over 25 years of counselling experience, and has been a clinical psychologist since 2013. -Most of our fees for psychological services are relatively lower than standard rates. -Most extended health plans cover supervised Psychology services (confirm with your provider). Both names, including Dr. Barbera’s license number, appear on all invoices. To get started, please confirm: -Your age (we do not provide services for children or seniors with age-related concerns, which requires a specific license) -Your location (if outside Ontario, Nova Scotia, Quebec or New Brunswick) Please reply with your preferred clinician and time, and we’ll confirm your appointment and next steps. Looking forward to supporting you, Jennifer Barbera, PhD, C. Psych & Associates On 2026-03-27 at 4:42 PM, formsubmissions@peachblitz.com wrote: Name Chris Newstead Email newsteadchris@hotmail.com Message Good afternoon, I am wondering if Dr Barbera was accepting new patients at this time? I am with the Hamilton fire department and Canadian navy and I am seeking counseling sessions for help dealing with a breakup from my fiancé and lingering emotions with that. Thank you for your time 905-807-6272 This email message is confidential and is intended only for the persons named above. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately and securely delete/remove it from your system(s). Any reading, distribution, printing or disclosure of this message if you are not the intended recipient is strictly prohibited. My Graduate Intern assists me in monitoring this inbox. We do not monitor this email address 24 hours a day/7 days per week/365 days a year. There may be a delay in our ability to respond to your message and we may not be able to respond to all messages. Thank you in advance for your understanding. This email message is confidential and is intended only for the persons named above. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately and securely delete/remove it from your system(s). Any reading, distribution, printing or disclosure of this message if you are not the intended recipient is strictly prohibited. My Graduate Intern assists me in monitoring this inbox. We do not monitor this email address 24 hours a day/7 days per week/365 days a year. There may be a delay in our ability to respond to your message and we may not be able to respond to all messages. Thank you in advance for your understanding. This email message is confidential and is intended only for the persons named above. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately and securely delete/remove it from your system(s). Any reading, distribution, printing or disclosure of this message if you are not the intended recipient is strictly prohibited. My Graduate Intern assists me in monitoring this inbox. We do not monitor this email address 24 hours a day/7 days per week/365 days a year. There may be a delay in our ability to respond to your message and we may not be able to respond to all messages. Thank you in advance for your understanding. This email message is confidential and is intended only for the persons named above. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately and securely delete/remove it from your system(s). Any reading, distribution, printing or disclosure of this message if you are not the intended recipient is strictly prohibited. My Graduate Intern assists me in monitoring this inbox. We do not monitor this email address 24 hours a day/7 days per week/365 days a year. There may be a delay in our ability to respond to your message and we may not be able to respond to all messages. Thank you in advance for your understanding.

Curious about an ADHD assessment in Ontario? Learn the step-by-step process following CADDRA guidelines, what to expect at each stage, and how clinicians determine a diagnosis.

If you’re reading this, you might be wondering what happens during an ADHD assessment in Ontario — whether you’re seeking clarity for yourself, a partner, a teen, or a child. An ADHD assessment can feel overwhelming, but understanding the steps can make the process more approachable and empower you to make informed decisions about your care.

In Ontario, clinicians generally follow the Canadian ADHD Resource Alliance (CADDRA) guidelinesCanadian ADHD Resource Alliance (CADDRA) guidelines when assessing Attention‑Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). These guidelines provide a structured, evidence‑based approach to evaluation and diagnosis across the lifespan (CADDRA, 2020).

Why a Thorough ADHD Assessment is So Important

ADHD symptoms often overlap with many other conditions, making a comprehensive assessment crucial. For example:

• Lifestyle factors such as chronic sleep deprivation, high-stress routines, or irregular work schedules can mimic attentional difficulties and hyperactivity (Becker et al., 2018).

• Mental health conditions including anxiety, depression, and trauma-related symptoms can produce inattention, distractibility, and executive functioning challenges similar to ADHD (Nigg et al., 2020).

• Co-occurring conditions are common: individuals with ADHD often experience anxiety, depression, medical conditions or learning challenges alongside ADHD, which can complicate the diagnostic picture.

Because of this overlap, a careful assessment — incorporating clinical interviews, collateral reports, standardized questionnaires, and functional history — is essential to distinguish ADHD from other contributing factors and to avoid misdiagnosis. Misdiagnosis can delay effective treatment and make therapy less effective, which is why clinicians follow CADDRA’s structured step-by-step approach.

If you’ve wondered “Do I have ADHD or burnout?” or What is the difference between ADHD and anxiety? (LINK TO ADHD VS ANXIETY POST), we cover those distinctions in dedicated posts because accurate assessment lays the groundwork for effective support.

Step 1: Gathering Intake Information

Initial Contact

Your assessment usually begins with an intake: a detailed online form where basic information is collected — your age, presenting concerns, symptoms, and goals for assessment. This is also the stage where discussions about consent, confidentiality, and assessment logistics take place.

Questionnaires and Self‑Reports

You may be asked to complete standardized questionnaires about ADHD symptoms and daily functioning. These tools help clinicians understand patterns of attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity from your perspective and from collateral sources (family members, teachers, or partners).

These questionnaires are crucial because ADHD assessment calls for multiple informants to capture symptoms across settings (CADDRA, 2020).

Step 2: Clinical Interview & History

The next stage is a structured clinical interview with a trained clinician — often a psychologist, A supervised clinical associate, psychiatrist, or physician.

Developmental and Symptom History

The clinician will explore symptoms across the lifespan, focusing on:

•When symptoms began

•How they show up at home, school, work, and social settings

•Current difficulties and functional impact

Because ADHD must be present in more than one context, this part of the interview helps rule in or rule out contextual explanations (e.g., stress, life transitions).

Medical and Psychiatric Review

A thorough review of medical history and mental‑health concerns helps ensure other conditions are considered. For example:

•Anxiety

•Depression

•Sleep disorders

•Trauma

It’s also important to rule out medical conditions by sending a letter to your family physician to ask them to screen for the known medical conditions that can mimic ADHD symptoms. This is why ADHD assessment often intersects with broader mental‑health evaluation, including the topic we cover in ADHD in Adults: Symptoms, Causes, and Strategies.

Step 3: Collateral Information

An essential component of a CADDRA‑aligned assessment is gathering information from others who know you well.

Consent and Collateral Sources

With your permission, clinicians may collect:

•School reports or teacher rating scales (especially for teens)

•Partner or family observations

These enrich the assessment and ensure symptom patterns are consistent across settings.

Step 4: Standardized Testing (e.g., BRIEF)

As part of a comprehensive ADHD assessment, clinicians often include standardized rating scales to objectively measure executive functioning and attention-related difficulties.

One commonly used tool is the Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF), which assesses everyday skills such as:

•Working memory

•Planning and organization

•Emotional regulation

•Task initiation and follow-through

•Inhibitory control

These measures are typically completed by the individual and, when appropriate, by parents, teachers, or partners. This multi-informant approach helps capture how executive functioning challenges show up across different environments — a key requirement in ADHD assessment (CADDRA, 2020).

Why Standardized Testing Matters

Standardized tools like the BRIEF provide:

•Norm-referenced data comparing functioning to age-based expectations

•Objective support for clinical impressions

•Insight into specific executive functioning profiles, which helps guide targeted therapy

Importantly, these tools do not diagnose ADHD on their own. Instead, they are used alongside clinical interviews, history, and collateral information to build a comprehensive and accurate picture (Toplak et al., 2013).

For many individuals, results from these measures also help clarify whether difficulties are more consistent with ADHD, or better explained by factors such as anxiety, stress, or burnout — topics we explore further in Do I Have ADHD or Burnout? and Differences Between ADHD and Anxiety (LINK TO ANXIETY VS ADHD BLOG).

Step 5: Scoring and Synthesis

After gathering data, clinicians analyze results from questionnaires, interviews, observations, and history.

Diagnostic Criteria

Using DSM‑5 criteria and CADDRA guidelines, clinicians determine whether symptoms:

•Are present in multiple settings

•Began in childhood

•Cause significant impairment

This diagnostic synthesis is the core of the assessment process. It ensures that decisions about diagnosis and treatment are grounded in clinical evidence rather than a single observation.

Step 6: Feedback and Next Steps

Once the assessment is complete, you’ll receive feedback from the clinician. This typically includes:

•Whether diagnostic criteria are met

•A summary of findings

•Strengths and challenges identified

•Recommendations for support and next steps

This feedback lays the foundation for planning therapy and supports tailored to your needs. For many adults and youth, this may lead into therapeutic work focused on executive functioning, emotional regulation, and practical skills.

Step 7: Treatment & Support Planning

If ADHD is diagnosed, the focus shifts to planning supports — which may include a combination of:

•Behavioural therapy

•Psychoeducation

•Skills training

•Medication consultation

•Academic or workplace accommodations

Our team offers support through formal psychological assessment and therapy services for ADHD, including accessible therapy options across Ontario.

How This Assessment Helps ADHD Therapy

Getting a clear, evidence‑based ADHD assessment sets the stage for effective therapy. Whether you’re pursuing CBT for ADHD, coaching for executive skills, or support for co‑occurring anxiety, the information gathered during assessment helps tailor your care.

If you’ve enjoyed past posts like 20 Tips for Managing ADHD, you’ll find that targeted strategies become much more effective when grounded in accurate assessment.

Next Steps

If you’re ready to explore assessment further or begin ADHD therapy in Ontario, start with our:

•Assessment Page

•ADHD page

If you’re ready to gain clarity and move forward with confidence, CONTACT US today to book your ADHD assessment in Ontario. Our team offers comprehensive, evidence-based evaluations and personalized ADHD therapy to help you better understand your strengths, challenges, and next steps.

References

CADDRA. (2020). Canadian ADHD Practice Guidelines — Fourth Edition. Canadian ADHD Resource Alliance.

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). APA.

Owens JA. A clinical overview of sleep and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents. J Can Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2009 May;18(2):92-102.

Nigg, J. T., Nikolas, M., & Burt, S. A. (2020). Measured gene–environment interaction in relation to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 59(2), 112–120.

Toplak, M. E., West, R. F., & Stanovich, K. E. (2013). Practitioner review: Do performance-based measures and ratings of executive function assess the same construct? Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 54(2), 131–143.

Prepared by:

Dr. Jennifer Barbera PhD, C. Psych who is a licensed psychologist with over 25 years of counselling experience. She has extensive clinical expertise supporting individuals and couples with anxiety, trauma, depression, addiction, and relationship challenges. Her work combines evidence-based approaches with practical strategies to help clients build resilience and improve well-being.

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