FAQs

A VAC disability assessment is the process used to measure the clinical severity of an approved service-related condition and its overall impact on your daily life. This evaluation directly determines your level of financial compensation and helps secure the ongoing treatment benefits you may be eligible to receive.

I have been conducting VAC disability benefit assessments since 2015. Over the past 17 years, I have provided psychological counseling treatment and assessments to veterans, CAF and RCMP members, and first responders. With 24 years of experience providing therapy to clients facing high-intensity stress and trauma, I understand your work culture and experiences and am well positioned to provide these assessments.

All VAC disability benefits assessment bookings require pre-approval from VAC. VAC will send you a letter notifying the health care professional that you are seeking a VAC disability benefits assessment for a mental health condition. I must receive a copy of this letter, along with a copy of the medical questionnaire, before scheduling the assessment.   

VAC assessments are conducted exclusively via telehealth using a secure, fully encrypted, and confidential telehealth platform. This virtual setting allows me to work with members and veterans across British Columbia during their appointments, maximizes administrative efficiency, and ensures that I remain entirely focused on the assessment process and report writing.

My assessment process is divided into three telehealth appointments. At the first appointment, I will securely administer and directly observe you completing the objective psychological screening tests. These standardized tests measure your social, emotional, and occupational functioning. The second appointment involves completing the medical questionnaire (Form PEN 6248e). After completing the steps above, I will write a clear, well-supported report that shows VAC reviewers the evidence behind my findings and recommendations. The third, and final appointment, consists of a debrief appointment whereby I review my report with you.

Reports are typically completed within 15 to 20 business days after the second appointment.

There is no cost to you. I provide direct billing to Medavie Blue Cross so that clients do not need to pay out of pocket to complete this assessment.

My VAC disability benefits assessments are built on diagnostic precision, specialized expertise in operational stress injuries (OSIs) and complex trauma and adhere to the highest standards of statutory compliance, forensic documentation, and clinical accountability. Standard VAC medical questionnaires are about 8 pages, whereas my comprehensive assessments significantly expand on this to provide detailed reports connecting your service, symptoms, and daily functioning - helping expedite VAC decisions.

No. My clinical practice is strictly dedicated to independent diagnostic assessments and specialized regulatory consultations. My treatment practice is permanently closed. Comprehensive referral pathways to treatment specialists are provided upon completion of your assessment.

No. I only provide initial psychological disability assessments (Form PEN 6248e). I do not provide VAC re-assessments for existing or worsening conditions. If you require a re-assessment, please contact your VAC Case Manager or access your My VAC Account to review your options.

My consultation services are designed for licensed psychologists or registered counsellors or therapists who are actively working with military members, first responders, and civilian clients experiencing PTSD, Complex Trauma (C-PTSD), and severe trauma-related issues. I provide specialized, peer-to-peer clinical guidance to help you navigate the highly complex clinical and boundary issues inherent in high-intensity trauma work, building your skills and confidence with challenging cases.

Yes. All clinicians seeking consultation services are strictly required to sign a formal Consultation Consent and Agreement Form prior to our first scheduled session. This agreement establishes the legal, ethical, and administrative perimeters of our professional relationship, outlines data security expectations, and confirms that you remain the sole primary clinician responsible for your client's care. Consultation appointments will not be booked until this signed document is received by my office.

To maintain absolute compliance with provincial health privacy legislation and regulatory college standards, all case presentations must be entirely de-identified. You are required to omit all direct and indirect identifying information (such as, but not limited to, names, specific workplace units, or distinctive identifying details). Under our mandatory Consultation Consent and Agreement form, you are responsible for ensuring that your client’s confidentiality is fully protected at all times.

Consultation sessions bring nearly two decades of my specialized experience with trauma-exposed populations directly to your practice. Depending on the specific, complex issues you bring to the table, our sessions are designed to help you gain:

• Increased confidence in your clinical judgment and diagnostic decision-making.
• Advanced tactical skills for handling clients with intense, multi-layered trauma.
• Clear, structured guidance when you feel clinically stuck, over-extended, or uncertain about how best to move a complex case forward.

All consultation sessions are conducted via telephone or a secure, fully encrypted, and confidential telehealth platform., allowing me to consult with clinicians all over British Columbia. This virtual setting maximizes administrative efficiency and ensures that our time is entirely focused on case analysis and clinical strategy.

My role is strictly limited to clinical consultant, offering specialized guidance, education, and perspective based on my extensive expertise in trauma. Engaging in consultation does not constitute a supervisory relationship or a transfer of clinical liability. As the primary treating clinician, you retain total clinical, ethical, and legal responsibility for the care, diagnosis, and treatment plans of your clients. This distinct boundary is a mandatory element of the consent agreement.

Because dedicated consultation appointments represent a significant reservation of specialized professional hours, a 48-hour cancellation and rescheduling policy is enforced under our signed agreement. Late cancellations or missed consultation sessions without the required administrative notice are subject to full service fees.