Extensive VAC Disability Benefits Assessment That Documents the Full Extent of Your Mental Health Struggles
Veterans Affairs Canada disability benefits assessments for RCMP, CAF members and veterans in BC, designed to move your claim forward as quickly as possible.
Psychological injuries related to your service can be complex. What you’re experiencing may be connected to years of work-related stress, traumatic experiences, or other events during your RCMP or CAF service, and the reasons for the difficulties you’re experiencing now may not always be obvious.
My VAC psychological assessments are specifically structured to fully document how your service has affected your mental health and your overall life. The assessment may also identify difficulties you hadn’t recognized yourself, providing important information that can help strengthen your VAC claim.
Why You May Want a VAC Disability Benefits Assessment
- You’re struggling with mental health symptoms that you may not understand, and won’t go away
- Your spouse, another family member, or friend has expressed concern because you don’t seem like your usual self
- You’re seeing a mental health professional who has recommended me to provide an assessment
- You have a diagnosed mental health condition due to your service and want VAC disability benefits that can provide a lump sum or monthly financial benefits
- You want access to benefits for treating a mental health condition caused by your service
- You want a clear record of your situation now because:
- When you retire or are released, you can access disability or mental health-related benefits if needed
- If your condition worsens and requires a VAC reassessment, you’ll have a comparison of your situation now, vs how it was previously
Years of Experience with Trauma, RCMP and CAF Members, Veterans and First Responders
I’ve been conducting VAC disability benefit assessments since 2015 and providing psychological counselling treatment and assessments to veterans, CAF and RCMP members, and other first responders for 17 years. I have great respect for your service and understand your work culture and language.
My 24 years of experience providing therapy to clients with high-intensity stress and trauma means I understand the complexity of what you’ve experienced.
I approach difficult topics with sensitivity and empathy, so you feel comfortable speaking openly with me. Service members and veterans frequently tell me that I am easy to talk to.
I know what questions to ask and how to distill the information important to VAC reviewers into a clear, objective, and clinically sound report.
My Assessments are More Extensive Than What Veterans Affairs Canada Requires
The standard VAC psychological medical questionnaire that is required to assess your claim is approximately 8 pages.
My assessment expands on this information to produce a much more detailed report. This helps ensure the assessment clearly explains the connection between your service and your mental health symptoms, and how significantly they’re affecting your daily functioning.
My comprehensive process and report aim to reduce information gaps that could delay your claim, which can help VAC reach a decision more quickly.
A 3-Component Assessment to Build a Strong and Accurate Case for Your VAC Claim
My assessment brings together 3 different sources of information for your VAC disability benefits claim:
1. Gold-Standard Psychological Testing
The tests I conduct provide objective information about your symptoms, their severity, and other areas of functioning that may be relevant to your assessment. Testing occurs on a private and secure video conference platform.
2. An Extensive Clinical Interview
The interview will also be held via a private and secure video conference platform. It covers the VAC medical questionnaire while exploring your experiences, symptoms, and their impact in much greater depth to provide reviewers with a more complete picture.
3. Relevant Supporting Information
When appropriate and only with your written consent, I may review relevant mental health records or obtain information from other professionals who may be supporting you to provide additional context and support for my findings.
After completing the steps above, I write a clear, well-supported report that shows VAC reviewers the evidence behind my findings and recommendations.
A Streamlined Assessment Process from Start to Finish
I personally handle your assessment from beginning to end, so you always know who you’re dealing with and what happens next.
Once your assessment is complete, we’ll meet on a private and secure video conference platform to discuss my findings and recommendations. You’ll have an opportunity to ask questions and will receive a copy of the report.
While this final meeting isn’t required for the VAC assessment, it’s a standard part of my process that helps to ensure you fully understand the report and can make informed decisions about my recommended next steps.
I then submit the completed report directly to VAC and bill them directly, so there is no cost to you.
Reports are typically completed within 15 to 20 business days after our clinical interview.
You’ve spent years serving others.
I give you and your VAC assessment the same level of care and attention you’ve given to others.
Schedule a Free 15-Minute Inquiry Call.
During our free 15-minute telephone consultation, I can answer your questions about the assessment process, and we’ll determine whether I’m the right psychologist for you.
Book your phone inquiry call here.
*A portion of each VAC assessment I complete goes towards the Veterans Transition Network, a national Canadian charity dedicated to helping Veterans transition from the military and RCMP to civilian life.