Frequently Asked Questions

Gilpin & Associates Psychological Services

Child Psychology Services in Southwestern Ontario

Frequently Asked Questions

As a parent or a professional, you can refer directly to our private practice. Physicians referrals are not necessary unless indicated by your insurance provider. Referrals are accepted by email (visit CONTACT US), phone message (519-319-4743) or by fax (519-474-0422). It is very helpful for us if you can complete the digital referral form, which can then be sent as an attachment or faxed.

What is a Psychologist?

A psychologist studies how we think, feel, and behave from a scientific viewpoint and applies this knowledge to help people understand, explain and change their behaviour. Psychologists can specialize in a wide variety of areas and are registered with a regulatory body (Ontario College of Psychologists) which outlines and oversees their scope of practice. Dr. Gilpin has received extensive training in child psychology and is registered to provide services for a wide range of child and adolescent issues. In Ontario, Psychologists hold a Doctoral degree in psychology; Psychological Associates hold a Master's degree and are registered with the College of Psychologists as well. Psychologists who hold doctoral degrees can use the title doctor ('Dr'). The abbreviation C. Psych (registered psychologist) is added to their title once they have met the provincial registration requirements with the Ontario College of Psychologists.

What is a Social Worker?

Social Workers are concerned and involved with the interactions between people and the impact of social events and systems on the ability of people to accomplish life tasks and manage their distress. In their work with individuals and families, clinical social workers strive to enhance the problem-solving, coping and developmental capacities of people and to link people with systems that provide them with resources, services, and opportunities. Social advocacy and support are important themes in their work. Most social workers are registered with their college and follow professional clinical and ethical guidelines.

What is the Difference between a Psychologist and a Psychiatrist?

In Canada, the professionals who most commonly treat people with mental health problems are psychologists and psychiatrists.

Psychologists are registered with their regulatory College, and often specialize in specific areas. They are required to declare their areas of competency to the regulatory body and required to practice within the bounds of their competence. A psychologist working with children should have been trained in the area of child psychology and developmental theory. Training involves both extensive course work and supervised clinical experience. Psychologists are trained to diagnose various problems in their field of training, through administration of psychological tests, and clinical judgment based on observational skills and interviews. The goal of this assessment process is to assist Psychologists in helping identify key areas of strength and need so that they can offer relevant treatment plans to work with the children and their families.

Psychiatrists are medically trained physicians who then take additional specialized training to address mental health and mental illnesses. Due to their medical background, they can prescribe medications when necessary. Some psychiatrists also do psychotherapy. For more information on the study and practice of psychiatry, please visit the website of the Canadian Psychiatric Association at http://www.cpa-apc.org. Sometimes, you might consult with a psychiatrist regarding medication while receiving therapy from a psychologist.

What is involved with a psychological assessment?

Preschool aged assessments generally take 3-5 hours of direct time with the child and family members, as well as additional scoring and report writing time. Comprehensive learning, behavioural or social-emotional assessments will take longer, particularly for high school aged young people. Direct assessments generally involve at least two appointments at 2 hours each visit, with additional sessions as needed. Additional time is also spent interviewing family members, relevant school or health care professionals and preparing written documentation.

A psychological assessment usually involves a variety of measurements and observational scales to evaluate a child's unique strengths and needs. Areas of ability are assessed often including intelligence, memory, attention, behavioural functioning, social-emotional well-being and academic skills.

What is involved in therapy?

Depending on your specific concerns, therapy may involve individual therapy with your child or family focused discussions. While confidentiality is respected, it is our goal to work with the family on resolving any issues that you may have with your child. We typically would spend time talking with your child, but would consult with you as well, either at the beginning or the end of each appointment. Sometimes, particularly for younger children, we use a variety of play and art therapy strategies in order to assist your child in communicating their views.

Confidentiality is respected at all times.

We will review our policy regarding confidentiality for both you and your child/adolescent. It is important to note that there are some circumstances, as described below, when confidentiality may need to be breached:

When there is a concern for the child's or another person's safety
When there is a suicide risk
When a file is requested for court purposes
When a report of neglect or abuse needs to be made to the Children's Aid Society
When a report needs to be made to a regulatory College about abuse by another practitioner

At Gilpin and Associates, we work as a team. As a result, there may be instances when we consult with each other regarding individual cases. In all instances, the clients are fully aware of these consultations. Our goal is to work together to achieve the best quality care for you and your family.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT

Several members of our team also are employed in other organizations (e.g. UWO, School Board). In order to avoid potential conflicts of interest, they will not, under any circumstances, provide psychological services to a young person if they have any involvement, or potential involvement, with the youth and their family in their other positions. You are encouraged to contact Dr. Gilpin if you have any questions about this policy.

Any member of Gilpin and Associates employed by the TVDSB will not, under any circumstances, provide Psychological Services to a student from a school in which they are a consultant.

When the needs of a student within the TVDSB require greater support than the School Psychologist is able to provide (given the available resources), there may be the need to refer the student to a community psychologist. When a member of Gilpin and Associates is in the role of a TVDSB School Psychologist and must refer a student to a community psychologist, the following procedures will be followed:

The student and/or their caregiver will be made aware of any community supports, services, or resources that can be accessed at no cost (if such supports, services, and resources exist).
The student and/or their caregiver will be given the names of at least three community psychologists who have experience providing the service(s) required by the individual. One of the three community psychologists may be a member of Gilpin and Associates.

When a psychologist provides services in two different settings (e.g., private practice and School Board) they may receive or obtain information about a client that the client does not wish to share in a different setting. Consistent with the expectations of the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) and the Standards of Professional Conduct for Psychologists, information obtained and/or provided about a client in one setting (e.g., private practice) cannot be released to an individual in a different setting (e.g., a school) without the written consent of the individual and/or their caregiver. If a member of Gilpin and Associates is working with a student and/or their family within the TVDSB (in the role of a School Psychologist) and they have obtained information about this client from a previous private practice experience, they will refrain from disclosing any information about the client to the school (or any other professional) unless appropriate consent has been obtained.

"Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children."

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