Psychological Assessment: What to Expect​

 

Sometimes life can become a struggle in a number of different ways, but you can't quite put your finger on why. Perhaps you're experiencing symptoms that don't make sense, or you're wondering whether what you're going through has a name. A psychological assessment can help bring clarity to these confusing experiences.

 

There's no expectation to have everything figured out before we meet, that's exactly what the assessment is for.

 

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What Is a Psychological Assessment?

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A psychological assessment is like having a detailed conversation about your mental health and wellbeing. It's not about putting you in a box or labelling you, it's about understanding your unique experience and identifying the most helpful ways forward.

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Drawing from my eleven years of NHS experience, most recently as a Senior Psychological Therapist, I use assessment sessions to help people explore and better define what they might be experiencing. It's a collaborative process where we work together to make sense of your difficulties and identify potential paths to feeling better.

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Think of it as creating a roadmap. Before you can plan the best route to your destination, you need to know where you're starting from. That's exactly what an assessment helps us discover.

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How Does a Psychological Assessment Work?

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Before We Meet
 

When you book an assessment, I'll sometimes send you some brief forms to complete beforehand. These aren't tests you can pass or fail, they're simply tools to help me understand your current experiences and concerns. You can take your time with these, and there are no right or wrong answers.

 

During Our Session (60 minutes)

 

Our assessment session is 60 minutes long, giving us focused time to explore your experiences and develop a clear understanding of what's happening for you. Here's what typically happens during our time together:

 

Understanding Your Current Difficulties We'll talk about what's been troubling you. This might include symptoms like persistent worry, low mood, intrusive thoughts, or difficulty sleeping. I'm interested in when these started, what triggers them, and how they're affecting your daily life.

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Exploring Your Background I'll ask about relevant aspects of your history - significant life events, previous mental health experiences, family background, and medical history. You only share what feels comfortable and relevant.

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Looking at Your Strengths An assessment isn't just about problems. I want to understand your coping strategies, support systems, interests, and the things that help you feel better. These strengths are crucial for planning effective support.

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Developing Our Working Understanding Throughout our session, I'll be developing what we call a "working theory" - essentially connecting the dots between your experiences, background, and current difficulties. I'll share my thinking with you as we go, so you can see how I'm understanding your situation and add anything I might have missed.

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What to Expect During Your Assessment

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A Safe, Non-Judgmental Space

 

My priority is creating an environment where you feel heard and understood. There's no pressure to share anything you're not ready to discuss. If something feels too difficult, we can move on and return to it later if needed.

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Questions

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I'm interested in details about your past experience, your present symptoms and struggles, and your future based concerns. I will gently ask questions about these areas, and without being too invasive, will encourage you to expand and think deeply about them. 

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A Collaborative Discussion

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This isn't about me putting you into a box. We'll discuss my observations together as we go, and you'll have plenty of opportunity to ask questions, disagree, or add important details I might have missed. By the end of our session, we'll have developed a shared understanding of what's happening for you.

 

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What Happens After Your Assessment?

 

Clear Verbal or written Summary

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At the end of our session, I'll provide a clear verbal summary of what we've discussed and my understanding of your situation. This includes the working theory we've developed together and specific recommendations about potential next steps, such as:

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1. Types of therapy that could be helpful (CBT, ACT, EMDR)

2. Ideas or skills you might bring into your life straight away

3. Whether additional support might be beneficial

4. Referral suggestions if appropriate

 

Your Expertise on Your Own Experience

 

You're the expert on your own life. I'm here to help you make sense of your experiences using my professional knowledge, but you know better than anyone what your struggles feel like and what might be helpful.

 

No Pressure to Continue

 

There's absolutely no obligation to book further sessions with me. The assessment stands alone as a valuable piece of clarity about your mental health. Some people find the assessment itself incredibly helpful and feel ready to implement the recommendations independently.

 

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Common Myths and Frequently Asked Questions

 

"Will you diagnose me with something serious?"

Myth: Psychological assessments are about finding what's "wrong" with you. Reality: Assessments are about understanding your experiences and identifying helpful support. Many people leave feeling relieved to finally understand what they've been experiencing. Sometimes there's a clear diagnosis, sometimes there isn't, both outcomes are completely normal.

 

"I need to have my life together before coming for an assessment"

Myth: You should only seek assessment when things are really bad. Reality: There's no threshold of suffering you need to meet. If you're curious about your mental health, concerned about changes you've noticed, or simply want to understand yourself better, that's reason enough.

 

"What if I can't explain what's wrong?"

Myth: You need to articulate your problems clearly to benefit from assessment. Reality: Part of my job is helping you put words to experiences that might feel confusing or overwhelming. Many people struggle to describe what they're going through, that's exactly why assessment can be so valuable.

 

"Will it take ages to get answers?"

Myth: Psychological assessment is a lengthy process requiring multiple appointments. Reality: My assessments typically take one 60-minute session. You'll leave with a clear understanding of my observations and recommendations. No waiting weeks for results.

 

"Is it just talking, or will there be tests?"

Reality: It's primarily a detailed conversation. There are no cognitive tests, personality quizzes, or anything that feels like an exam. If questionnaires are helpful, they're brief and straightforward.

 

"What if you think I'm wasting your time?"

Reality: If you're concerned enough about your mental health to seek assessment, you're not wasting anyone's time. Your experiences matter, regardless of how "severe" you think they are compared to others.

 

"Will you share information with my GP or employer?"

Reality: Everything we discuss is confidential. I won't share information with anyone (including your GP) without your explicit consent, except in very rare circumstances involving serious risk of harm.

 

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Who Might Benefit from a Psychological Assessment?

 

You might find an assessment helpful if you experience:​

• Persistent anxiety, worry, or panic attacks

• Low mood or depression that's affecting your daily life

• Obsessive thoughts or compulsive behaviours

• Difficulty coping after a traumatic experience

• Sleep problems or changes in appetite

• Relationship difficulties or social anxiety

• Work related stress or burnout

• Confusion about your mental health

• Curiosity about whether therapy might help

 

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Taking the Next Step

 

Seeking a psychological assessment takes courage, and you've already shown that by reading this far. Whether you're dealing with specific symptoms or simply want to understand yourself better, assessment can provide valuable clarity and direction.

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The goal isn't to pathologise your experiences, but to help you understand them better so you can make informed decisions about your mental health and wellbeing.

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If you'd like to book a psychological assessment or have any questions about the process, please don't hesitate to get in touch. I'm here to help you make sense of what you're experiencing.

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Jack Brown - BABCP Accredited CBT Therapist | EMDR Practitioner | Manchester Serving Manchester, Trafford, Stretford, Sale, and surrounding areas