Dr. Kerris Oates, C.Psych. — ADHD & Autism Assessments

Hello! I’m Dr. Kerris Oates, a Registered Clinical and Counselling Psychologist, and I’m passionate about helping people recognize their strengths, navigate their challenges, and thrive in ways that are meaningful to them.

I believe that each of us has a unique combination of strengths, abilities, experiences, and challenges that shapes who we are and how we move through the world. Learning to recognize and appreciate these different aspects of ourselves can be incredibly empowering. It allows us to build on our strengths while finding ways to support, develop, heal, or accept our weaker areas.

For me, psychological assessment is about much more than identifying a diagnosis or explaining why something is challenging. It’s about gaining valuable insights that can open doors to new possibilities—helping people make informed decisions, access appropriate support, develop effective strategies, and move toward their fullest potential.

My hope is that every client leaves the assessment process not only with greater clarity, but also with increased confidence, self-compassion, and practical tools to help them flourish.

My Approach

I’ve been practising as a psychologist since 2008, working with children, adolescents, adults, and couples from diverse backgrounds and walks of life.

Throughout my career, I’ve worked in private practices, multidisciplinary medical clinics, educational settings, and specialized mental health programs. My experience includes comprehensive psychological and psychoeducational assessments, as well as therapy, supporting individuals navigating ADHD, ASD, learning and cognitive difficulties, emotional and behavioural concerns, trauma, anxiety, depression, and other mental health or phase of life challenges.

I bring this breadth of clinical experience into every assessment I conduct.

My approach is warm, collaborative, compassionate, and grounded in evidence-based psychological practice. I recognize that seeking an assessment can sometimes feel overwhelming, particularly when you or your child have been struggling despite your best efforts.

I strive to create a supportive, welcoming environment where clients feel genuinely heard, respected, and comfortable being themselves.

I also believe that meaningful growth doesn’t mean changing who we are. Sometimes it involves developing new skills or addressing difficulties. Other times, it means recognizing our limitations, embracing our differences, or finding environments and supports that allow us to function at our best.

As a woman of colour, I bring both professional expertise and personal appreciation for the ways that culture, identity, family experiences, and social circumstances influence our lives. My approach is culturally responsive and grounded in cultural humility, recognizing that every individual brings a unique combination of strengths, experiences, values, and perspectives. I strive to approach each assessment with compassion, curiosity, and a genuine appreciation for the circumstances that shape each person’s life, while providing inclusive, trauma-informed, and individualized psychological care.

Helping You Thrive

One of the most rewarding aspects of psychological assessment is helping people discover how to work with their unique strengths and needs, rather than continually struggling against them.

For adults, a psychological, ADHD, or ASD assessment may offer a new perspective on longstanding challenges, while also highlighting abilities and qualities they may not have fully recognized or appreciated.

For children and adolescents, a psychoeducational assessment can help identify learning strengths, areas requiring support, and practical strategies or accommodations that foster success at school, at home, and in everyday life.

Ultimately, I want the assessment process to help you or your child move forward with greater confidence, clarity, and a stronger foundation for lifelong growth.

A Little More About Me

Beyond my work as a psychologist, I’m a mother, a singer-songwriter, and someone who deeply values faith, family, relationships, and personal growth.

My own life experiences have deepened my appreciation for resilience, authenticity, and the importance of embracing both our strengths and our vulnerabilities. I believe that our challenges don’t have to define us, and that growth often comes from learning how to navigate life in ways that honour who we are.

I’m also passionate about education and mentorship. Alongside my clinical work, I serve as an Assistant Clinical Professor at McMaster University’s Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, where I’ve been involved in educating and mentoring future physicians. Over the years, I’ve also contributed to psychological research, professional education, and the development of mental health services across Ontario.

Whether I’m working with clients, mentoring future clinicians, or connecting with people in my community, I’m continually inspired by the resilience of the human spirit and the possibilities that emerge when people feel equipped to embrace who they are and pursue what matters most to them.

I look forward to helping you take your next steps toward thriving!