When we talk about mental health, access is often the main barrier.
Psychoeducational and comprehensive assessments are essential tools that can open doors to funding, resources, education supports, and stable housing. In our society, these assessments remain out of reach for many families and young people who need them most, costing at a minimum over $2,000.
At Trellis, we see this gap every day. Many of the children, youth, and families that we support are caught in a cycle where diagnoses are suspected but not formalized. Without a formal assessment, children and youth can’t access the supports they need. As Dr. Cheryl Gilbert MacLeod, owner and senior psychologist at The Family Psychology Place, explains:
“…unfortunately, access to any services (school services or community services) requires a diagnostic label. Our team has been able to work with practicum students to develop their skills in assessment, to work with the counsellors, to help figure out what is going on so that we can open doors and help Trellis clients flourish.”
Building Bridges Through Collaboration
This is where partnership changes everything.Through a unique partnership between Trellis, the University of Calgary, and The Family Psychology Place, we’ve been able to bring affordable psychological assessments directly to those who really need them. The Trellis clinical team hosts PhD students from the University of Calgary who are completing their practicum, while The Family Psychology Place provides their expert supervision. Together, these students and supervising psychologists work with Trellis clients to administer assessments that would otherwise be impossible to access.
One Assessment, One Life Changed
The impact is not theoretical—it’s life-changing. One young person’s story illustrates this power. An 18-year-old who had come to Canada as a child under difficult circumstances entered the child welfare system, spent time in foster care and group care, and eventually aged out into a supported housing program. They struggled with significant mental health challenges and were hospitalized multiple times. In an extraordinary effort, one of our students went directly into the hospital to conduct a full psychoeducational assessment across several sessions. At their final hospital stay, they were facing release with nowhere to go. Their previous housing placement was no longer available, but with a formal diagnosis in hand, this youth was placed into a supportive housing environment tailored to their specific diagnosis instead of being discharged into homelessness.
That single assessment changed the trajectory of their life. Instead of facing homelessness, which could have deepened cycles of exploitation, addiction, and declining mental health, this young person was given a foundation for stability and healing.
Stories like this highlight a bigger truth: no one sector can solve complex problems alone. These inequities require collaboration across sectors. As Amelia Larson, Clinical Director for Trellis, explains:
“…complex social problems such as inequity to mental health and psychoeducational assessments… need to be solved by nonprofit, profit sector and academia coming together and working in tandem to be able to really move the needle.”
Ripple Effects Across Generations
The effects go beyond individual stories. A single assessment can disrupt patterns of intergenerational misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis. When a student receives a proper evaluation, schools can adjust and help them succeed. Parents can access funding and supports that reduce poverty-related stressors. Young adults can qualify for programs that align with their needs. At the end of the day, the assessments not only open doors for one person, but for families and communities.
This partnership between Trellis, The Family Psychology Place, and the University of Calgary represents what’s possible when sectors come together around a shared vision: making psychological care accessible to those who would otherwise be shut out. It’s a model for how collaboration can bridge gaps, break cycles, and offer hope where systems have failed people all too often. Because when access meets expertise, lives change.
Trellis is a charitable non-profit supporting youth, individuals and families across Calgary and surrounding areas. Through more than 40 community-based locations, we deliver inclusive and adaptable services that meet people where they’re at, no matter their age or circumstances. Our work spans five key areas: housing supports and shelter, child and youth programming, parenting supports, culture and community, and therapy and wellness. Together with community, we work to ensure everyone has the opportunity to grow, heal and flourish. growwithtrellis.ca
The Family Psychology Place is Western Canada’s largest private psychology clinic, featuring a comprehensive team of clinicians, MSWs, and educators who provide personalized, evidence-based care across all life stages. Our collaborative approach addresses a wide range of concerns including anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, autism, and personality disorders, as well as specialized legal assessments for accident-related matters. With a commitment to continuous learning and mentorship, our experienced professionals work together to deliver clear, effective care tailored to your unique needs, ensuring you receive expert support for your well-being at every step. familypsychologyplace.com
Written by The Trellis and The Family Psychology Place are advertisers in this publication.
