Forbes Psychological Services

Stress Management

 

Recent evidence suggests that more than 50% of disability claims are related to mental health and stress related difficulties experienced by employees.  In order to assist employees in managing their stress more effectively, Forbes Psychological Services has developed a Stress Inoculation Program which includes a series of seminars that focus on such topics as:

 

• Effective Stress Management

         This seminar focuses on the impact of stress, recognizing when employees and co-workers are stressed, and strategies for reducing stress

 

• Stress Management:  The Effective Use of Humor

         This presentation helps individuals cope more effectively with stress through the use of humor.  It highlights the physical and psychological benefits of humor and laughter and provides suggestions for the use of humor in daily life.

 

• Coping Effectively With Change

         Change in an individual’s work or personal life is a major cause of stress.  This seminar provides employees with a clearer understanding of how change causes stress as well as effective techniques for coping with change.

 

Effective Parenting

 

Parenting effectively can be a challenge for those with children.  In order to assist parents Forbes Psychological Services is able to provide a series of presentations which cover such topics as:  The Effect of Parenting Styles; Dealing Effectively With Behavior Problems; Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder; Understanding Your Teen; Enhancing Your Child’s Self-Esteem; and Learning Disabilities.

 

Anger Management

 

This seminar focuses on assisting individuals: in developing a better understanding of anger; how it effects them, including the physical health impact; in developing a better understanding of the relationship between thoughts and emotions; and in developing strategies to cope more effectively with anger.  Forbes Psychological Services also provides individual interventions for individuals experiencing difficulty in managing their anger.

 

Grief Counselling

 

Individuals who have experienced a significant loss, whether it be a loved one, a job or a relationship, benefit from timely support and assistance.  Such assistance facilitates the individuals’ adjustment to the loss.  Counselling is intended to validate feelings, help individuals identify symptoms and provide them with strategies to help them cope more effectively.

 

Legal Consultation

 

Forbes Psychological Services has lawyers who are available to provide up to two hours of legal consultation per contract year to the employees.  This service is provided as part of the Employee and Family Assistance Program entitlement and thus would be at no cost to the employee.

 

Financial Consultation

 

In order to assist employees who are experiencing financial difficulties, Forbes Psychological Services offers as part of its EFAP up to two hours of financial consultation.  This consultation service, which is at no cost to the employee, is provided by Certified Financial Advisors or Chartered Accountants.

 

Physical Fitness Consultation

 

As part of Forbes Psychological Services’ overall commitment to health and wellness, we are able to offer a service to employees which focuses on Personalized Fitness and Lifestyle.  At the present time the service is only available in Alberta.  It is anticipated, however, that the service will be made available in all major centres throughout Canada in the near future.  Employees in Alberta are able to access fully qualified fitness consultants who are able to provide the most up-to-date exercise testing, fitness appraisals, exercise consultation and fitness prescription services.  All of our contracted fitness consultants have university degrees in Physical Education and Sports Studies or related disciplines and are registered with the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiologists as either Certified Fitness Consultants, Certified Exercise Physiologist or Professional Fitness and Lifestyle Consultants.  Through our EAP each employee will be able to access up to two hours of this consultation service at no cost to the employee.

 

Nutritional Consultation 

 

Forbes Psychological Services has under contract a number of certified, Dieticians by which employees covered under the Forbes Psychological Services EAP are able to obtain up to two hours of nutritional and dietary counselling.  This professional service is provided at no cost to the employee.

 

Childcare Eldercare Counselling

 

Forbes Psychological Services has associates who have significant experience in assessment and the provision of services for both children and the elderly.  In addition, they have extensive knowledge of the local resources available to assist families in meeting their specific needs.  As well, these associates can provide direct intervention.

 

 

Counselling on Coping with Chronic Illness/Disability/Pain

 

Forbes Psychological Services provides counselling that is designed to help individuals suffering from a variety of chronic conditions cope more effectively.  This type of counselling, while tailored to each individual’s specific need, usually includes providing the individual with the skills to monitor and evaluate their current condition and techniques to help them cope effectively.  These techniques include:  understanding the relationship between thoughts and emotions and how to deal with negative thoughts; goal setting; relaxation skills including visualization, progressive relaxation and meditation; and assertiveness training.

 

Children’s Services

 

Forbes Psychological Services provides a variety of assessment and treatment services specific to meeting the needs of children and adolescents.  Assessments provided include educational assessments, assessments for learning disabilities, academic achievement assessments, personality assessments, behavioral assessments and ADHD/ADD assessments.  Through our therapists we are able to offer treatment for a variety of problems including behavioral, academic, depression, anxiety, abuse, grief and loss, and divorce and separation.  Among the therapeutic techniques that we have available there is behavioral, psychotherapy and play therapy.

 

Coping With Shift Work

 

Forbes Psychological Services offers presentations on shift work and how to cope.  These presentations are designed to meet the specific needs of an organization and can be tailored to accommodate allotted time frames.  The presentations provide for participants, a greater understanding of the effect of shift work on their physical, psychological and social well being.  Strategies on how to reduce the effects and cope more effectively are discussed.

 

Addictions Counselling - Substance Abuse

 

Counselling for employees suffering from an addiction is available as part of our EFAP service.  In addition, Forbes Psychological Services has considerable experience in coordinating and facilitating comprehensive treatment plans which include in-patient treatment services and follow-up.

 

Forbes Psychological Services also has staff with significant experience in the comprehensive assessment of addictive disorders.  Such assessments are usually applied to employees who have been mandated for assessment by their company or organization.  Moreover, we have the capability of providing drug and/or alcohol testing including total toxicity testing.  Both the Substance Abuse Assessment and the drug/alcohol testing are not part of our standard EFAP service but can be purchased separately as required.

 

Supervisory Coaching/Work Place Consultations

 

Forbes Psychological Services provides a consultation service to the organizations it serves.  Such consultation is usually provided to managers and supervisors regarding specific situations and/or employees.  Such consultation is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

 

As well, Forbes Psychological Services is prepared to provide consultation with regard to the ongoing development of an organization’s EFAP.  In this regard we are prepared to sit on any relevant EFAP committee as requested by the organization.

 

Mediation Services

 

Forbes Psychological Services has considerable experience in mediating both workplace and personal issues.  Such a service is beneficial in facilitating a process by which all involved parties can express their views and develop a mutually beneficial resolution of the issues.

 

Organizational Development and Related Support Services

 

Forbes Psychological Services offers a variety of services with regard to organizational development.  These services, which can be tailored to meet the specific needs of an organization, include; training seminars and workshops on such topics as strategic planning, succession planning, enhancing employee performance, how to manage problematic employee behaviors, identifying and helping the distressed employee, enhancing communication and dealing effectively with difficult people.

 

In addition, Forbes Psychological Services has the capability of conducting organizational reviews with regard to identifying and overcoming issues affecting the effectiveness and efficiency of work areas.  In this regard, we can also provide follow-up and ongoing consultation.

 

Forbes Psychological Services also provides 24 hour manager consultation to assist managers/supervisors should they be experiencing a difficult situation within the work area.

 

Work Group Intervention/Conflict Resolution

 

Conflict in the workplace can:  negatively impact relationships; be disruptive; reduce productivity; increase stress; and reduce moral.  As a result, it is important that organizations be able to recognize and resolve conflict when it occurs.  To his end, Forbes Psychological Services offers a variety of services including:  training on how to deal with difficult people; enhancing communication in the workplace; mediation; conflict resolution workshops; and training on how to deal with the stressed and depressed individual.

 

In addition, Forbes Psychological Services can provide direct intervention and mediation service to assist in the resolution of the conflict.  This would include meeting with each of the conflicting parties to determine the exact nature of the conflict and the issues to be resolved.  These individual meetings would be followed, if appropriate, with a joint meeting of the parties to develop a mutually beneficial resolution.

 

Team Effectiveness Workshop

 

Forbes Psychological Services’ “Successful Teamwork” program has been developed to assist employees and organizations to perform at their optimum.   This interactive program, designed to enhance team effectiveness, addresses such areas of teamwork as:  team development; breaking down the barriers; factors effecting team functioning; circles of influence; the value of team players and teamwork; and understanding player styles.

 

Work Life Programs - Wellness and Health Promotion

 

Forbes Psychological Services has developed a variety of workshops and presentations to address the wellness and health issues of organizations and their employees.  These workshops and presentations are flexible and can be tailored to fit specific needs. Topics include:

           

                        Dealing With Difficult People

                        Coping Effectively With Change

                        Effective Communication

                        Managing Stress

                        Humour in the Workplace

                        Parenting

                        Conflict Resolution

                        How to Identify and Help the Stressed and Depressed Individual

                        Anger Management

                        Team Building

                        Procrastination

 

Addictions

 

In addition, Forbes Psychological Services is committed to working collaboratively with client organizations to address specific issues, trends or problem areas that become evident and to develop promotional programs to address, in a proactive fashion, such issues.

 

Critical Incident Stress Debriefing

 

A critical incident is a traumatic event which may include:  sudden death, suicide, physical violence with the potential to cause harm or death, fire, bomb threat, natural disaster, etc.  Such events can cause a highly negative stress reaction in those individuals closest to the trauma.  Such a stress reaction may manifest itself in a physical and/or psychological fashion.  However, the magnitude of the impact of the trauma can be significantly reduced if individuals have had the opportunity to deal with their reactions to the trauma.  To this end, Forbes Psychological Services offers a 24 hour a day, 7 days a week, response service.  One of our psychologists can be on site, in the Edmonton area, upon request to begin a debriefing session.

 

Counselling

 

Forbes Psychological Services provides counselling services to individuals who require assistance or who have been mandated for treatment due to identified work performance issues.  Counselling is available for a wide variety of issues including:

 

• Marital/Relationship Issues

• Separation, Divorce and Custody

• Parenting Issues

• Grief and Separation

• Substance Abuse

• Stress

• Anxiety

• Anger Management

• Communication

• Physical Health Concerns

• Work Related Group Conflicts

• Retirement Adjustment

• Critical Incident Stress Debriefing – group and individual

• Sexual Abuse

• All psychological disorders

 

Fitness To Work Assessments

 

Employees who are experiencing performance difficulties at work (i.e. absenteeism, difficulties in completing tasks, angry outbursts, etc.) and there is some question as to whether they are fit to work, can be referred to Forbes Psychological Services for a Fitness To Work Assessment.  This assessment involves a review of available medical/psychological information; at least one clinical interview; the administration of a test designed to assess an employee's current level of personality functioning; and contact with the members of the employee’s treatment team.  The assessment report integrates the medical, psychological and functional information in order to make a determination in regard to the employee’s ability to work.  The assessment report also provides recommendations that would assist the employee in resolving his/her work performance issues.  A verbal report is provided to the organization within 24 hours of completion of the assessment.

 

Fitness To Return To Work Assessments

 

On some occasions individuals have been off work for an extended period of time due to medical or psychological problems and the question arises as to whether they are fit to return to work.  Forbes Psychological Services has the ability to conduct a Fitness to Return to Work Assessment.  This assessment includes a review of available medical, psychological and relevant file information; at least one clinical interview; the administration of a test of personality functioning; and contact with the members of the employee’s treatment team.  The report integrates the information and an opinion is given with regard to an employees’ capacity to return to work along with recommendations.  A verbal report is provided to the organization within 24 hours of completion of the assessment.

 

Substance Abuse Assessments

 

As part of our comprehensive substance abuse service Forbes Psychological Services has the ability to provide a comprehensive Substance Abuse Assessment.  The assessment includes, a review of file information; a clinical interview, the administration of a test of personality functioning; and on occasion, the SASSI; and if relevant, discussions with the employer.  The report will provide an opinion with regard to substance abuse along with treatment recommendations.  Forbes Psychological Services also has the capability to providing follow-up drug/alcohol testing.  A verbal report is provided to the organization within 24 hours of completion of the assessment.

 

Assessment, Management and Treatment of Physical Health Problems

 

Forbes Psychological Services is able to provide an assessment of physical health problems in relation to work performance and provide referrals to medical specialists and coordination of medical services, and further assessment and treatment of specific physical health problems.

 

Assessment, Management and Treatment of Psychological Problems

 

Through a broad range of assessments and treatment services, Forbes Psychological Services is able to provide case management and coordination of services designed to assess and treat a variety of psychological problems which impact work performance.

 

Case Management

 

When an employee has been absent from work or is experiencing significant work or personal issues, Forbes Psychological Services has the capability of managing the case.  Our Case Management services (i.e. medical and/or psychological) are designed to facilitate recovery and a return to work through early intervention and goal directed treatment which includes:  an initial assessment of the presenting problem(s); consultation with other health professionals currently involved with the employee; the development of a treatment/recovery plan including goals and objectives; the coordination of treatment services; case conferences; and ongoing follow-up and maintenance.  The organization can access this service by means of a single phone call to Forbes Psychological Services.

 

Independent Medical Examination (IME)

 

Through our network of psychiatrists Forbes Psychological Services is able to offer IME’s.  These assessments include a comprehensive review of the employee’s current difficulties, past history of employee’s psychiatric problems, medical history, treatment history, diagnosis and treatment recommendations.

 

Medical Status Exams

 

Through our specialized Occupational Health Physician Forbes Psychological Services is able to provide timely medical assessments designed to evaluate an individual’s current physical health status.  The assessment, designed to address a number of physical health and fitness to work related questions includes a clinical interview, a review of file information, a medical examination and a comprehensive report that includes recommendations as well as answers to specific questions asked by the referring organization.  A verbal report is provided within 24 hours of completion of the assessment.

 

Functional Capacity Assessments

 

These assessments, which are designed to assess the physical limitations and capabilities of individuals who have sustained a physical injury or have a debilitating physical health problem, can be arranged through Forbes Psychological Services.  The assessments are conducted by certified physiotherapists or occupational therapists.

 

Forbes Psychological Services is able to provide both General and Specific Functional Capacity Evaluations.  The General Functional Capacity Evaluation is a one day assessment that measures an individuals’ current physical abilities.  This assessment does not compare physical abilities with critical demands of a job or set of functions.  A report is provided outlining results and recommendations based on the individual’s physical abilities.

 

The Specific Functional Capacity Evaluation is conducted over two consecutive days.  This evaluation is more comprehensive and compares functional abilities to job demands; establishes the existence of physical impairment and determines the degree of disability; evaluates consistency of effort; and provides an extensive report with results and recommendations.

 

Neuropsychological Assessment

 

When an individual employee is experiencing work performance issues; is displaying questionable behavior both at work and in his/her personal life or has sustained a head injury, questions may be raised with regard to his/her cognitive functioning.  As a result, a request may be made for an assessment of his/her cognitive functioning.  In this regard Forbes Psychological Services’ qualified staff are able to undertake a neuropsychological assessment.  The assessment includes a review of available file information, a clinical interview and the administration of a battery of tests designed to assess various aspects of an individual’s level of brain functioning.  The resulting information is provided to an organization through a written report along with treatment recommendations.  If brain dysfunction is identified, job modifications or supervisory approaches may be suggested in order to minimize such deficits and enhance the individuals’ cognitive strengths.  A verbal report is provided within 24 hours of completion of the assessment.

 

Vocational/Career Assessments

 

In some cases when an individuals’ health issues interfere with his/her ability to continue to work in their previous job and an organization is faced with an accommodation issue, a request may be made to determine other vocational/career alternatives.  Forbes Psychological Services has the capability of assessing an individuals’ vocational/career interests and integrating that information with identified deficits/strengths that he/she may have at the present time to assist the individual in making a vocational choice.  The assessment includes a clinical interview and the administration of tests designed to assess vocational/career interests and abilities.  A written report is provided along with recommendations.  A verbal report is provided within 24 hours of completion of the assessment.

 

Vocational Rehabilitation Services

 

The Vocational Rehabilitation Services offered by Forbes Psychological Services is a results oriented integrated service designed to assist individuals in re-entering the workplace or considering a career change.  Our Vocational Rehabilitation Services are designed to provide ongoing support, advice and assistance while maximizing a client’s independence and the opportunity for success.

 

The services provided include a number of components which organizations or clients can purchase either individually or as a package, depending on the specific need.  The services include:  Initial Assessment; Vocational/Aptitude Assessment; Vocational/ Career Planning; Successful Job Search; Enhancing Success; and follow-up.

 

Employee & Workgroup Conflict Resolution

 

Conflict in the workplace can:  negatively impact relationships; be disruptive; reduce productivity; increase stress; and reduce moral.  As a result, it is important that organizations be able to recognize and resolve conflict when it occurs.  To his end, Forbes Psychological Services offers a variety of services including:  training on how to deal with difficult people; enhancing communication in the workplace; mediation; conflict resolution workshops; and training in how to deal with the stressed and depressed individual.

 

In addition, Forbes Psychological Services can provide direct intervention and mediation service to assist in the resolution of the conflict.  This would include meeting with each of the conflicting parties to determine the exact nature of the conflict and the issues to be resolved.  These individual meetings would be followed, if appropriate, with a joint meeting of the parties to develop a mutually beneficial resolution.

 

Management Coaching & Organizational Consultations

 

Forbes Psychological Services offers an array of services designed to enhance the effectiveness of managers and supervisors in their ability to handle difficult situations and in general develop management styles that are conducive to enhancing the performance of the personnel they supervise.  These services include:  a 24 hour consultation service; individual sessions which target specific issues; and group training seminars and workshops which target such topics as dealing with difficult people, enhancing team effectiveness and effective communication.

 

In addition, Forbes Psychological Services offers consultation and support services to organizations.  These services include:  succession planning; team building; disability management; crisis intervention; health promotion and wellness; policy development; and strategic planning.  As well, Forbes Psychological Services can provide organizational reviews designed to assess problem areas and provide recommendations and consultation regarding strategies to deal effectively with the current situation.