This clinic is on the unceded traditional territory of the Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. I acknowledge and thank the Coast Salish people.

Dr. Christine Lilley, PhD

(she/her)
Registered Psychologist
BC College of Psychologists #1466

300-1200 Lonsdale Avenue
North Vancouver, BC
V7M 3H6

Phone: (604) 506-4541

Please note that due to a high volume of past referrals, I am not accepting new clients at this time. Contact information for other psychologists can be found at www.psychologists.bc.ca.

Mural by @abi.t.t

Providing psycho-educational assessments for children and young adults

What is a psycho-educational assessment?

A psycho-educational assessment is a close look at how a child or young adult learns through a combination of standardized testing, parent and teacher rating scales, observations of how the student approaches their work, interviews with parents, and reviews of school and medical records. The goal is to identify strengths and weaknesses, to diagnose any disabilities that may interfere with learning, and to make recommendations about what would help.

My approach to assessment is to integrate the best available science on learning and testing with careful observation and careful listening to the stories and experiences of the individuals concerned and the parents and teachers who know them well.

My professional expertise includes questions around learning disabilities (including dyslexia), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), giftedness, intellectual disability, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, and many other conditions involving learning and behaviour.

I do not provide assessments in which the main question is whether an individual has an autism spectrum disorder.

I am not accepting assessments for brain injury, for medico-legal assessments to be used in court, or for adults over the age of 25.

I do not provide therapy or ongoing treatment.

If you are looking for therapy or a different type of psychological assessment, a referral service is available at www.psychologists.bc.ca.

Confidentiality is taken very seriously and follows the code of conduct of the BC College of Psychologists. In general, information is not shared with anyone without the consent of the individual and/or their legal guardians. There are some rare exceptions which will be explained at the first phone call.

There is usually a waitlist for psycho-educational assessments.

About me

I have been a psychologist for over 20 years, with a specialty in assessment and diagnosis. From 2000 to 2015, I worked in a multidisciplinary health care setting as a staff psychologist and, later on, a clinical leader, providing assessments to children and youth referred for complex learning problems, including learning disabilities and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, intellectual disabilities, and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. For 5 years, I have been in a group private practice seeing mostly children referred for possible learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and giftedness. I have had opportunities to work collaboratively with schools, school districts, and government agencies. I have been involved in teaching and supervising other psychology trainees, psychologists, and professionals, in writing the diagnostic guidelines for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, and in contributing to public policy around disabilities, diagnoses, and service eligibility.

I hold a PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of British Columbia, completed a postdoctoral internship at BC Children’s Hospital, and I am a registered psychologist in good standing with the BC College of Psychologists (Registration #1466).

WHAT TO EXPECT

If I am accepting new patients and you leave me a phone message, I will contact you for a free 15 minute phone consultation. If we both agree that it makes sense to go ahead with the assessment, I will offer you either an appointment or a place on the waiting list at the end of the call.

The assessment itself usually includes four main points of contact with the family:

A one hour parent interview

These are usually completed over secure videoconferencing.

An assessment session for the individual being assessed

Usually about two hours in length

A second assessment session for the individual being assessed

Also usually about two hours in length

A one hour feedback session with the parents

To share the results and recommendations and answer any questions. Teens and young adults may be included in this meeting. These are usually completed over secure videoconferencing.

Upon parent request, a 15 minute phone call to the school to review the main findings and answer any questions is available at no extra charge.

You will be provided with a detailed report that can be shared with the school or with other professionals working with your child. In most cases, the report is available immediately after the feedback session.

You will be asked to complete consent forms, a background questionnaire, and rating scales that address any emotional and behavioural concerns. In most cases, the child’s teacher is also asked to provide basic information about strengths and concerns, and complete 1 or 2 rating scales. You will be asked to provide copies of any previous assessment reports by a psychologist, speech language pathologist, or occupational therapist, and a few years of recent report cards.

Fees and Scheduling

Fees are based on those recommended by the BC Psychological Association at $235/hour. Assessments scheduled after January 2024 will be charged a flat rate fee of $3290. In rare cases, a briefer assessment may be appropriate and fees will be reduced by agreement.

Psychological services in private clinics are NOT covered by the Medical Services Plan.

Many extended benefit plans provide some coverage for psychological services, but the amount of coverage and the rules about coverage vary from plan to plan. Please check with your provider for details of your coverage for services from a registered psychologist.

If you do not have extended benefits that cover psychology services or if your plan does not cover the whole amount, the cost is tax deductible as a medical expense.

If your child is First Nations, you may be able to apply for coverage through Jordan’s Principle.

Payment is by e-transfer or VISA.

Testing sessions are normally scheduled on Tuesday and Friday mornings. Parent interviews and feedback sessions are more flexible but are completed within business hours Monday to Friday.

I am not currently accepting new clients.