Belleisle

Concussion and Brain Injury in Ottawa and Gatineau

Neuropsychological and Psychological Assessment for Concussion and Brain Injury in Ottawa and Gatineau

After a concussion or other brain injury, it is common to feel “not quite like yourself.” Headaches, fatigue, problems concentrating, slower thinking, irritability, emotional ups and downs, and difficulty keeping up at school, work, or in daily life can all follow an injury—even when scans appear normal. For many people in Ottawa and Gatineau, the most difficult part is not knowing how serious these changes are, whether they are likely to improve, and what to do in the meantime.

A neuropsychological and psychological assessment for concussion and brain injury helps answer these questions in a structured way. Psychologists and neuropsychologists with a focus of practice in concussion, mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), and acquired brain injury use standardized cognitive tests and detailed clinical interviews to clarify how the injury has affected thinking, emotions, and day-to-day functioning. The goal is not simply to confirm that a concussion occurred, but to understand its impact, distinguish injury-related changes from other factors, and provide concrete recommendations for recovery, return to school or work, and long-term planning.

For children, adolescents, and adults in the Ottawa–Gatineau region, this kind of assessment can be especially valuable when symptoms persist beyond the first weeks or months, when questions arise about “post-concussion syndrome,” or when there is concern about the cumulative effects of multiple concussions.

Why a Concussion and Brain Injury Assessment Matters

Most concussions improve gradually over time with rest and a graded return to activity. However, recovery does not look the same for everyone. Some people notice that concentration, memory, or mental stamina remain limited long after acute symptoms have settled. Others experience a combination of headaches, dizziness, sleep difficulties, sensory sensitivity (to noise or light), and emotional changes that interfere with school, work, or family life. In more moderate or severe brain injuries, changes in reasoning, behaviour, personality, or social skills can be more obvious and long-lasting.

From the outside, these situations can be difficult to interpret. Cognitive or emotional changes after a concussion or brain injury may be due to direct effects of the injury on the brain, but they can also be influenced by pain, sleep disturbance, medication, stress, anxiety, depression, and pre-existing learning or attention difficulties. Two individuals with similar injuries may present very differently depending on their history and environment.

A neuropsychological and psychological assessment for concussion and brain injury in Ottawa or Gatineau is one of the most reliable ways to sort through these overlapping factors. By examining specific cognitive abilities (attention, memory, processing speed, executive functioning), documenting emotional and behavioural changes, and placing everything in the context of the person’s medical and educational or occupational history, the assessment helps to:

Clarify the nature and extent of any concussion- or brain-injury-related difficulties;
Identify other contributors (e.g., anxiety, depression, pain, sleep problems) that may be prolonging symptoms;
Inform decisions about return to school, work, sports, and other activities;
Guide individualized rehabilitation strategies and accommodations.

For families in Ottawa and Gatineau, this can make the difference between navigating recovery through trial and error and following a more deliberate, evidence-informed plan.

Neuropsychological Assessment After Concussion and Brain Injury

The neuropsychological assessment focuses on how the brain is functioning in everyday life following a concussion, mild traumatic brain injury, or more significant brain trauma. Rather than relying solely on symptom checklists, the neuropsychologist uses standardized tests to evaluate key cognitive domains that are commonly affected by brain injuries.

Depending on the age and situation of the person being assessed, this may include:

Sustained and divided attention, and the ability to resist distraction;
Processing speed and mental efficiency;
Learning and memory for verbal and visual information;
Language skills, including word-finding and comprehension;
Visuospatial abilities, such as understanding maps or copying complex figures;
Executive functions, including planning, organization, problem-solving, and cognitive flexibility.

These tasks may feel like puzzles or mental challenges, but each has been designed to highlight particular patterns of strengths and weaknesses. For individuals in Ottawa–Gatineau, results are interpreted using age-appropriate norms, making it possible to determine whether performance is within the expected range for someone with a similar background or whether there is objective evidence of cognitive difficulty.

This profile is especially useful when:

Symptoms persist beyond the expected recovery period;
There have been multiple concussions or repeated head impacts;
There is uncertainty about whether ongoing problems are primarily injury-related or linked to anxiety, depression, or other conditions;
Documentation is needed for academic accommodations, workplace modifications, or rehabilitation planning.

Because many people with a concussion have normal CT or MRI scans, a neuropsychological assessment often provides the clearest picture of how the injury is affecting real-world thinking and learning.

Psychological Assessment and Emotional Factors in Concussion Recovery

Concussion and brain injury recovery is not just a neurological process; it is also an emotional one. Changes in cognitive capacity, energy, physical comfort, and role functioning (for example, stepping back from school, sports, or work) can trigger frustration, sadness, anxiety, and worries about the future. For children and adolescents, missing school and activities can affect identity and social relationships. For adults, changes in productivity or independence can affect self-esteem and family dynamics.

A psychological assessment explores this side of the picture. It examines mood, anxiety, stress, coping strategies, and pre-existing mental health conditions that may shape how symptoms are experienced and reported. For example:

Anxiety may amplify physical sensations and lead to hypervigilance about symptoms.
Depression can slow thinking and reduce motivation, making it harder to distinguish between cognitive and emotional fatigue.
Stress related to school, work, litigation, or sports career pressures may complicate recovery.

In concussion and brain injury assessments in Ottawa and Gatineau, the psychological component typically includes a detailed clinical interview and, when appropriate, standardized questionnaires measuring depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and general distress. Integrating these findings with the neuropsychological profile allows the clinician to determine to what extent emotional factors are contributing to ongoing difficulties and to recommend psychological interventions—such as cognitive-behavioural strategies, stress management, or psychotherapy—that may support recovery.

What a Concussion and Brain Injury Assessment in Ottawa–Gatineau Involves

Although each assessment is tailored to the individual, concussion and brain injury evaluations in Ottawa and Gatineau tend to follow a similar structure.

The process usually begins with a brief screening to ensure that the clinic is able to assess the client safely and appropriately. Basic information is gathered about the injury (or injuries), current symptoms, relevant medical history (including prior concussions or neurological conditions), and the person’s school, work, and living situation.

An initial appointment is then scheduled for a clinical interview. During this conversation, the psychologist or neuropsychologist asks about:

how and when the injury occurred (or how repeated impacts accumulated);
the course of symptoms from the time of injury to the present;
prior medical, psychiatric, learning, and developmental history;
current medications, sleep patterns, pain, and fatigue;
the impact of symptoms on school, work, family, sports, and day-to-day life.

When appropriate, a parent, partner, or other close informant is invited to provide additional context, especially when changes in behaviour, personality, or day-to-day functioning are a concern.

The neuropsychological testing portion generally takes place in person. The clinician creates a quiet, structured environment and chooses tests that are appropriate for the person’s age, symptoms, and stamina. Sessions are paced to minimize symptom exacerbation, and may be spread across more than one visit if headaches, fatigue, or other complaints make longer sessions difficult. The clinician pays attention not only to the answers given, but also to how the person approaches tasks, manages frustration, and copes with cognitive demands.

After testing, the psychologist or neuropsychologist scores and interprets the results, comparing them to norms for individuals of similar age and background. These findings are integrated with medical information and observations from family or school, when available. The clinician then prepares a written report that:

describes cognitive strengths and weaknesses in clear language;
comments on whether the pattern is consistent with expected recovery, lingering post-concussion effects, or a broader acquired brain injury;
explains how emotional factors, such as anxiety or depression, may be influencing symptoms;
offers concrete recommendations for school or workplace accommodations, rehabilitation supports, and day-to-day strategies.

A feedback appointment follows, during which the results are reviewed in detail. This is an opportunity for the individual and, when appropriate, their family, to ask questions, clarify expectations about recovery, and discuss a practical plan. With consent, the report can be shared with physicians, school teams, employers, rehabilitation professionals, or others involved in the person’s care, to support coordinated decision-making.

How Assessment Supports Recovery and Daily Functioning

The value of a concussion and brain injury assessment in Ottawa and Gatineau becomes particularly clear when decisions need to be made about returning to school, work, or sport. When cognitive functioning, emotional status, and symptom patterns are described in detail, conversations can shift from vague worries to specific, realistic planning.

For students, a neuropsychological report can help schools understand the kinds of supports needed—such as reduced workload, extended time, quiet testing environments, breaks during cognitively demanding tasks, or the use of note-taking and organizational aids. For adults in the workforce, the assessment can clarify what kinds of modifications (for example, gradual return, adjusted hours, changes in responsibilities, or environmental changes) are likely to be helpful and for how long they might be needed.

In cases where symptoms have persisted for months or longer, a comprehensive assessment can also help identify areas of preserved strength. Many people with ongoing post-concussion difficulties still have solid skills in specific domains; building rehabilitation and accommodations around those strengths can reduce frustration and improve day-to-day functioning.

In addition, understanding the role of anxiety, mood, pain, and sleep makes it easier to target those aspects directly through psychological and medical interventions. Addressing these factors does not mean that the injury “was all in your head”; rather, it recognizes that neurological and psychological processes interact, and that focusing only on one side of the equation may leave treatable contributors unaddressed.

Concussion and Brain Injury Assessment in Ottawa

In Ottawa, concussion and brain injury–focused neuropsychological and psychological assessments are conducted by psychologists and neuropsychologists whose areas of expertise include concussion, mild traumatic brain injury, and acquired brain injury across the lifespan. These clinicians are licensed by the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (CPBAO).

Individuals come from across the city and surrounding communities, including neighbourhoods such as Kanata, Nepean, Orléans, and nearby rural areas. Some have experienced a single sports-related concussion; others have been injured in motor vehicle collisions, falls, or workplace incidents. A number of clients seek assessment after multiple concussions or in the context of more moderate or severe brain injuries.

Many people will already have seen a physician, sports medicine provider, or emergency department team prior to referral. With the client’s consent, the neuropsychological report can be shared with these professionals to help clarify the functional impact of the injury and to support decisions about medical follow-up, rehabilitation services, and return to activity.

Some aspects of psychological follow-up—for example, therapy focused on anxiety, mood, or adjustment to injury—may be offered virtually for residents of Ontario when clinically appropriate. The core neuropsychological testing, however, is typically completed in person in Ottawa to ensure accuracy, reliability, and careful observation during the assessment.

Concussion and Brain Injury Assessment in Gatineau and the Outaouais

On the Québec side of the river, children, adolescents, and adults in Gatineau and the wider Outaouais region can access concussion and brain injury assessments with psychologists and neuropsychologists licensed by the Ordre des psychologues du Québec (OPQ). Many of these clinicians work in French, English, or bilingually, so that evaluation of attention, memory, and other cognitive functions can take place in the language or combination of languages that best reflects everyday functioning.

Because many people in Gatineau receive medical care in both Québec and Ontario—seeing, for example, a local family physician as well as specialists or rehabilitation services in Ottawa—a clear neuropsychological report can help coordinate care across provincial boundaries. It offers a coherent description of concussion- or brain-injury-related difficulties that can be understood by health professionals, school teams, insurance providers, and rehabilitation clinics on both sides of the Ottawa River.

Recommendations from a concussion and brain injury assessment in Gatineau are adapted to local resources and to each person’s circumstances. They may include suggestions regarding school accommodations, workplace adjustments, referral to physiotherapy, occupational therapy, or other rehabilitation services, and strategies for pacing activities, managing fatigue, and supporting gradual return to usual roles. When travel is difficult, follow-up discussions and psychological support for individuals and families can sometimes be offered virtually, when clinically appropriate.

Access, Referrals, and Coverage

Referrals for concussion and brain injury assessments in Ottawa and Gatineau arise in different ways. Some clients are encouraged by a physician, coach, school, or rehabilitation professional to seek a detailed cognitive and psychological evaluation. Others are referred by family members who remain concerned about changes in functioning months after an injury. Some individuals self-refer after noticing persistent difficulties with concentration, memory, or mental stamina.

When you reach out, administrative staff can help determine whether a neuropsychological and psychological assessment is appropriate at this stage, and connect you with a clinician whose focus of practice includes concussion and brain injury and whose location (Ottawa or Gatineau) and language fit your needs.

Public health insurance does not cover psychological and neuropsychological services. However, many extended health and workplace benefits plans offer partial reimbursement for services provided by licensed psychologists and neuropsychologists. Receipts include the information that insurers typically require for claims. Because coverage varies between plans, individuals and families are encouraged to verify their benefits in advance.

Neuropsychological assessment is also used in other situations, such as dementia, attention and learning difficulties, and other neurological conditions. Linking related service pages on your website (for example, between concussion/brain injury assessment and dementia or ADHD assessment pages) helps visitors and search engines understand the broader context of neuropsychological services in the Ottawa–Gatineau region.

Taking the Next Step in Ottawa–Gatineau

If you live in Ottawa or Gatineau and are concerned about symptoms following a concussion, mild traumatic brain injury, or other brain injury—whether in yourself, your child, or someone close to you—a structured neuropsychological and psychological assessment can provide a clearer picture of what is happening and what can reasonably be done to support recovery.
To begin the process, you can complete the secure contact form on the Belleisle Clinic website, briefly describing the injury, current symptoms, your location, and any relevant medical information already known. Administrative staff review this information and help connect you with a psychologist or neuropsychologist whose focus of practice includes concussion and brain injury assessment and who is well positioned to see you in Ottawa or in Gatineau.

Request a Concussion and Brain Injury Assessment in Ottawa–Gatineau

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A thorough memory, attention, and cognitive assessment, combined with a careful psychological evaluation, cannot undo the injury, but it can replace guesswork with a structured understanding of how the concussion or brain injury is affecting daily life. For many individuals and families in the Ottawa–Gatineau region, that clarity becomes the foundation for more coordinated, compassionate, and realistic recovery planning.

Frequently Asked Questions About Concussion and Brain Injury Assessment in Ottawa and Gatineau

HOW DO I GET A CONCUSSION OR BRAIN INJURY ASSESSMENT IN OTTAWA OR GATINEAU?
Some people are referred by a physician, rehabilitation professional, or school, while others contact the clinic directly after experiencing persistent symptoms following a concussion or brain injury. To arrange an assessment in Ottawa–Gatineau, you can complete the clinic’s secure contact form, outlining your concerns, injury history, and location. Administrative staff can then advise whether a neuropsychological and psychological assessment is appropriate at this stage and connect you with a clinician whose practice includes concussion and brain injury.

IS NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING FOR CONCUSSION AVAILABLE IN BOTH GATINEAU AND OTTAWA?
Yes. In Gatineau and the Outaouais, and more broadly across the Ottawa–Gatineau region, psychologists and neuropsychologists licensed by the OPQ or CPBAO provide neuropsychological testing for concussion, mild traumatic brain injury, and acquired brain injury. Assessments can often be conducted in French, English, or both, depending on client needs. Reports are written so that they can be understood and used by health professionals, schools, and rehabilitation teams on both sides of the Ottawa River.

DO I NEED TO WAIT A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME AFTER A CONCUSSION BEFORE BEING ASSESSED?
The ideal timing depends on the question being asked. In the first days and weeks after a concussion, medical assessment and symptom monitoring are the priority. A full neuropsychological assessment is often most useful when symptoms have persisted beyond the early phase, when recovery is slower than expected, or when there are decisions to be made about return to school, work, or sport. When you contact the clinic, staff can help determine whether this is the right time for a comprehensive evaluation or whether it may be preferable to wait and monitor symptoms.

IS A CONCUSSION OR BRAIN INJURY ASSESSMENT COVERED BY INSURANCE?
Public health insurance typically does not fund psychological or neuropsychological services, including concussion and brain injury assessments. Many extended health and workplace benefits plans do, however, offer partial reimbursement for sessions with licensed psychologists and neuropsychologists. The receipts you receive will include the information insurers usually require. Because coverage varies significantly between plans, it is best to review your benefits or speak with your insurer before beginning the assessment.

CAN EMOTIONAL DIFFICULTIES MAKE CONCUSSION SYMPTOMS WORSE?
Yes. Anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress, and high levels of stress can increase the intensity and persistence of physical and cognitive symptoms after a concussion or brain injury. For example, anxiety may heighten awareness of bodily sensations, and depression can slow thinking and reduce motivation. A comprehensive neuropsychological and psychological assessment for concussion and brain injury is designed to tease apart these influences by examining both cognitive performance and emotional factors. This reduces the risk of attributing all symptoms to the injury alone—or, conversely, overlooking treatable emotional difficulties in someone who has also sustained a brain injury.