About the Clinic

  • Although we are a private (independent) clinic, our medical services are covered by RAMQ.
  • Refer to the respective psychiatrist’s section on this website for each physician’s distinct populations and services.
  • Following the medical referral there will be an initial consultation. Depending on the case, there may be psychiatric interventions at the clinic or reorientation to other community services or a follow-up with the referring physician with treatment recommendations.
  • The clinic cannot accommodate urgent cases. You must go to the hospital for any medical emergency (or 811 (option 2) if in a psychosocial crisis).
  • The clinic is not equipped to accommodate cases that could lead to disorganized or dangerous behaviours. Unfortunately, we do not have the premises or trained staff for such situations.
  • The clinic cannot offer sustained services for complex cases requiring management by a multidisciplinary team or requiring recurrent hospitalizations (physical care or mental health).
  • We do not offer neurocognitive assessments (learning disabilities or cognitive profile).
  • We do not offer any hormone therapy at the clinic.
  • We do not offer forensic psychiatric evaluations for children and adolescents.

  • For children under 14 years of age, we must obtain authorization from parents who have health care rights (legal guardians) to proceed with the psychiatric evaluation, unless authorized or ordered by the Court.
  • For adolescents age 14 years and older, we must receive confirmation that the adolescent consents to the assessment.
  • The information in the medical file is confidential and is stored in our secure electronic medical record.
  • For children under 14 years of age, their legal guardians can have access to their file.
  • Adolescents over 14 years of age can have access to their own medical file. The clinic cannot share any of their medical information (written or verbally) without their authorization.
  • A copy of the consultation and medical notes are automatically sent to the referring doctors unless consent is withdrawn for this communication within the circle of care.
  • Professional secrecy, (doctor-patient privilege) has limitations. The psychiatrist may have to break confidentiality if there is a history of abuse or medical conditions impacting the ability to drive or imminent danger to self or others.
  • The initial psychiatric assessment (consultation) may last 1-2 hours.
  • Involving family members provides a more complete picture of the situation and therefore a more accurate diagnosis and more effective recommendations. We encourage the presence of parents whenever possible, even for adolescents aged 14 years and over, unless detrimental to the patient’s well-being.
  • A part of the evaluation is reserved for the confidential individual assessment, unless the patient is uncomfortable with this step.
  • The evaluation is done in the psychiatrist’s office with the family as well as individually. It includes developmental, psychosocial and family related questions, in addition to screening and targeted questions about mental health symptoms.
  • The evaluation must be conducted in a calm and respectful manner, in the absence of any form of intimidation. Harassment of a staff member, doctor or other patients will not be tolerated at the clinic. Any behavior deemed aggressive or intimidating that violates the dignity and respect of a person, whether physically, verbally or in writing, could result in the end of the therapeutic alliance and exclusion from the clinic.

  • Following the initial psychiatric consultation, there could be an offer of follow-up at the clinic with the psychiatrist for a limited period, either in the form of individual and/or family and/or group therapy, depending on the case and physician services.
  • There could be pharmacological interventions and/or vital signs and/or a requisition for blood work. These would require further psychiatric reassessments.

You are undoubtedly bombarded by all kinds of information from many varied sources regarding mental health. Here at the clinic, we are vigilant about overmedicalization and overmedication. Suffering does not always have a diagnosis and may not require treatment by medication, but always deserves validation and an empathetic intervention.