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Services

ADHD/ADD Assessments (All Ages)

The goal of an ADHD assessment is to see if symptoms of distractibility, impulsivity, or restlessness are consistent with ADHD/ADD or due to another explanation. Dr. Murray follows the Canadian CADDRA ADHD Practice Guidelines and the American Academy of Pediatrics Clinical Practice Guidelines for the diagnosis of ADHD.

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What is involved in an ADHD assessment?​

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  • A diagnostic interview (2 hours)

  • Questionnaires and rating scales 

  • Review of all available report cards and prior assessments

  • A feedback session (50 minutes)

 

Child and adolescent assessments:

Parents or primary caregivers are interviewed with their child. 

 

Adult assessments:

The person seeking the assessment is interviewed, ideally with someone who knows them well (e.g., a partner, parent, sibling, close friend). 

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Psycho-Educational Assessments (Children & Adolescents)

The goal of a psycho-educational assessment is to understand your child’s learning style. Your child’s strengths and challenges are identified in the areas of intelligence, academic abilities, and executive functioning. There is also a general assessment of your child's social, emotional, and behavioural well-being. The information is used to help you, your child, and educators understand your child’s unique learning needs and to develop recommendations for supporting your child.

 What is involved in a psycho-educational assessment? 

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  • A brief clinical interview with parents and their child

  • One-to-one standardized testing (approximately 5 hours) directly with Dr. Murray

  • Questionnaires and rating scales completed by parents and teachers

  • A review of past records (e.g., report cards, past assessments)

  • A feedback session with parents and the child (50 minutes)

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Individual Therapy
(Children & Adolescents)

  • Psycho-Education about ADHD/ADD and co-existing conditions

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy 

  • Executive Functioning Skills Training

  • Parent Behavioural Training

Dr. Murray's primary focus is working with youth who have ADHD/ADD. Dr. Murray works with children and teenagers with emotional dysregulation, anxiety, and depression when these co-occur with ADHD/ADD. 

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Dr. Murray uses evidence-based treatments (EBT) when working with children and adolescents. Evidence-based treatments have been developed using scientific evidence which shows that some treatments work better for specific problems in childhood and adolescence. Most of these treatments are forms of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), a therapy that teaches skills for changing how we think, react, and behave when we have a problem. This helps children, adolescents, and parents learn to manage difficult emotions and behaviours. Other forms of CBT include dialectical behaviour strategies (DBT), mindfulness approaches, and parental behaviour management. These approaches have been shown to be effective in helping children and teens overcome problems early in life, so that they are better equipped for their future.

 

Treatment begins with an initial intake or assessment to obtain background information and to determine your child's needs. This may include having parents complete questionnaires and rating scales. Dr. Murray uses this information to develop a treatment plan based on a child or teenager's individual needs.

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Individual Therapy
(Adults with ADHD/ADD only)

  • Psycho-Education about ADHD/ADD and co-existing conditions

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy 

  • Executive Functioning Skills Training

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Dr. Murray works with adults who have ADHD/ADD when ADHD-related challenges are the primary issue they are seeking treatment for. Her treatment approach includes cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) because scientific studies have shown that these treatments work well to reduce symptoms and improve functioning. 

 

Clients need to have a confirmed diagnosis of ADHD/ADD to begin treatment. There is an initial intake appointment to collect background information and to narrow down goals for treatment. Questionnaires and rating scales are often used in this process. The information is used to develop the best treatment plan possible.

Group Therapy
(Adults with ADHD/ADD)

The goal of group therapy for adult ADHD is to gain a deeper understanding about ADHD, recognize that you are not alone, learn skills to set goals and complete them, deal with difficult emotions, thoughts, and reactions, and learn tools to maintain the new habits and changes you make.

Dr. Murray uses cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in a group therapy format for adults with ADHD/ADD. CBT is the best (most effective) psychological treatment available for managing ADHD/ADD in adulthood.
 

The focus of the group treatment is to:

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  • Learn about ADHD and how it impacts your life

  • Improve executive functioning (e.g., goal setting, prioritizing, time awareness and management, organization & planning)

  • Deal with distractions

  • Cope with strong and difficult emotions (e.g., anxiety, sadness, anger)

  • Recognize that you are not alone

 

Please note, a confirmed diagnosis of ADHD/ADD is needed to participate in the group.

Consultations 

Trying to advocate for our children and ourselves can be overwhelming. Sometimes parents need support to find the most helpful services. Other times, parents need support explaining their children's strengths and challenges so people understand.

  Dr. Murray offers the following consultations, with the goal of getting everyone on the same page.

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  • Providing information about ADHD/ADD and learning challenges to extended family members

  • Reviewing Individual Education Plans (IEPs)

  • Meeting with school staff

  • Consulting with medical teams and other care providers

  • Helping families know where to get information, including navigating assessment and treatment options 

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