Neuropsychology is the study of the structure and function of the brain and how these functions relate to behaviour as well as psychological processes. It is both an experimental field of study as well as a clinical discipline that attempts to understand, assess and treat behaviours related to brain functioning.
A Clinical Psychologist has an MA or PHD and is concerned with diagnosing, through the use of standardized measures designed to assess psychiatric conditions, emotional disturbances, and behaviour problems, and treating these conditions using various verbal, cognitive and behaviour modification techniques. A Psychiatrist is a medical doctor who is specialized in mental health disorders, and is concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental illness. They can prescribe medications. A Neurologist is a medical doctor who is concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the nervous system – the brain, the spinal cord, and the nerves.
I am a Clinical Psychologist with professional specialty in Clinical Neuropsychology and Clinical Psychology for adults and the elderly. I am registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario (License Number 3506). Based in Kingston, I provide the full range of clinical psychology services to individuals and couples in the south eastern Ontario region. The majority of work I do is conducting neuropsychological and psychological assessments, often of individuals who have suffered head or brain trauma from an accident, but I also assess those following strokes, tumours and aneurysms, as well as other metabolic disorders that lead to cognitive changes. I also see patients for individual therapy to help them or their family members cope with the changes they face as a result of injuries or illnesses.
Dr. Gale is also licensed to practice in Ontario, providing neuropsychological assessments for adults. Dr. Gale is currently undergoing additional supervised practice with a view to expanding her expertise to include the specialty of young adults and children. This is anticipated to be available to all our referral sources as early as 2023.
I was licensed to practice psychology in Quebec in 1995. I was licensed to practice in Ontario in 1999, where I have continued to maintain my professional activities in academic, hospital and private practice settings. I have been performing private practice-based independent assessments and medical legal assessments since January 2001. My practice has been incorporated since 2010. I have been performing Catastrophic Determination assessments since 2007.
Yes. The manner in which our office handles medical/personal health information is compliant with both the Personal Information Protection Act, 2004 (PHIPA), as well as the federal statute, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). A statement on Privacy Policy for my practice is available and is presented at the outset of each initial interview with all patients seen in my office.
Yes. I have a internet fax account, which provides secure fax transmission and reception via the Internet. I also use password-encryption (both read and write) for all electronically transmitted documents, reports or patient information. Email correspondence should be directed to me at: duncan@daypsych.ca Or contact my office manager at: admin@daypsych.ca
I see patients in one of my clinic sites, either at 920 Princess St., Suite #350 for those in the Kingston area, and 80 Division Street, Suite #42 for those in the Trenton area. We also offer a full range of assessment and treatment services using secure virtual or tele-psychology conferencing.
Yes. However, due to costs of travel involved I encourage patients to attend interview and testing sessions in my Kingston office. When this is not feasible, I travel to and see patients across much of southeastern Ontario. I travel to Toronto, Whitby, Oshawa, Belleville, Port Hope, Ottawa, Peterborough, and Cornwall for neuropsychological assessments. I typically bill per hour traveled. However, mutually acceptable flat rate fees have also been arranged with different providers. Overnights, when necessary, involve additional fees and are typically negotiated on a separate basis.
A typical neuropsychological assessment takes a full day with the patient, sometimes more, measuring a number of different aspects of functioning and coping. This process includes:
- Detailed Clinical Interview (this usually lasts 1 – 3 hours)
- Detailed File Review (approximately 100 pages per hour)
- Administering standardized tests and procedures that measure functioning in a number of domains (this can take anywhere from 4 – 10 hours), including:
- Intelligence
- Academic and achievement abilities
- Attention (processing speed, sustained and divided attention, complex)
- Memory and learning (auditory vs. visual, incidental memory, complex)
- Visuospatial and construction abilities
- Executive functions (planning, organization, problem solving, etc.)
- Language (receptive and expressive)
- Perceptual and sensory motor abilities
- Psychological status (coping, emotional problems, behaviour and personality issues)
- Pain Assessment
- Performance Validity, Symptom Validity and Effort Testing (malingering, symptom exaggeration)
We have been using inclusive flate-rate fee structures since 2019 but can offer hourly or per-service fee information as well. The fees we charge are competitive, consistent with industry standards, and reflect the standards of the assessment fees typically found in our area. The flat-rate approach reflects requests from clients over the years for a simpler, more inclusive system. Things like multiple testing sessions, documentation review or travel can drive up the costs of an assessment, but this is best discussed with our office in advance to get more information. Our flat-rate assessment fees typically include a review of up to 500 pages of medical documents. Any additional documentation reviewed over the amount included in the flat fee should be negotiated in advance. We do charge late cancellation fees and “No Show” fees. Please contact our office directly for a complete breakdown of our fee structure.
We have had to modify our procedures in order to continue to offer assessment and treatment services safely. We have been using secure telemedicine or remote or virtual techniques, hybrid assessments, as well as recently resuming in-person assessment. We monitor and follow provincial health guidelines and make decisions accordingly. Contact us to discuss which option works best for you so we can work together to manage risks effectively.