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Pre-adoption Evaluation

What's involved in the assessment process?

Pre-adoption evaluations usually consist of a clinical interview conducted both with the parents together and separately. The interview is a necessary part of the evaluation so that the psychologist understands your context and narrative when interpreting the test or assessment results. This is followed by one or more psychological tests that help determine any mental health concerns. This enables the assessing psychologist to provide accurate feedback and give recommendations tailored to your needs.

Psychological tests may include the MMPI-2, a standard personality test, though other tests may be used instead of or in addition to the MMPI-2. The MMPI is a true/false questionnaire designed to identify mental health concerns and will be interpreted by the psychologist to determine any issues that need to be addressed.

In general, each prospective parent should expect to:

  • Attend an approximately 1 to 1.5 hour interview appointment;
  • Attend an approximately 1.5 to 2.5 hour psychological testing appointment; and,
  • Attend an approximately 1 to 1.5 hour couples interview appointment

The above can all be completed in one day (across an approximately 3.5 to 5.5 hour appointment) or across multiple days.

What are the pre-requisites?
A copy of the home study report requires to be emailed to the clinic/assessing psychologist prior to the in-person or face-to-face appointment. We will also send a consent form/agreement form and a background history questionnaire for the prospective adoptive parent(s) to fill out. We encourage that these documents (home study, consent form, background history questionnaire) be sent back to us at least 48 hours prior to the first in-person appointment.
How long would it take to obtain the report?

We recognise the urgency for the report and do our best to ensure that the report is ready within 1 to 2 weeks from the date of completing the evaluation.

Our Specialists

Tina Balachandran

Clinical Director & Clinical Psychologist