Psychology Assessments

Initial Psychological Assessment, Formulation & Therapeutic Plan

We offer a thorough initial psychological assessment to better understand the challenges you're facing. During this assessment, we will explore various aspects of your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, as well as any relevant history that may be contributing to your current difficulties. This helps us to create a psychological formulation, which is essentially an in-depth explanation of the factors that may be influencing your experiences.

Based on this understanding, we will then work together to develop a personalised therapeutic plan, designed to address your unique needs and goals. This plan will outline the most effective approach for your therapy, taking into account what we’ve discovered during the assessment.

After the assessment, you’ll receive a written report. This will summarise the key findings, provide a clear formulation of the issues you’re facing, and detail the proposed therapeutic plan to guide your progress. This ensures that you have a clear understanding of the next steps in your therapy journey.

Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) Assessment Process

ADHD Assessment Process
(For Children, Young People, and Adults)

If you or your child are struggling with symptoms like difficulty focusing, impulsivity, or restlessness, an ADHD assessment can help clarify whether ADHD might be the underlying cause. The assessment process is thorough and involves gathering information from different sources to get a full understanding of how these symptoms impact daily life. Here's what you can expect during the ADHD assessment:

1. Clinical Interview
   We'll begin by having a conversation about your symptoms, such as trouble focusing or acting impulsively, and how they affect your day-to-day life (at home, school, or work). I may use a structured tool called DIVA-5 to help assess ADHD.

2. Gathering Information
   To get a broader perspective, I’ll ask for input from people who know you well, such as parents, teachers, or colleagues. You may also be asked to complete a questionnaire, like the Conners Rating Scale, which helps us understand how symptoms show up in different settings.

3. Assessment Tools
   I will use specific tests to measure attention and impulse control, such as the Continuous Performance Test. I may also observe your behaviour during our sessions. For children, we can arrange for observations at school or home as well.

4. Rule Out Other Conditions
   It’s important to consider other possible causes of the symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, or learning difficulties. We’ll explore these to ensure we’re addressing the right concerns.

5. Diagnosis
   I will compare your symptoms with the official criteria for ADHD (DSM-5). To diagnose ADHD, your symptoms need to have been present for at least 6 months and cause significant challenges in multiple areas of life (like home, school, or work).

6. Feedback and Next Steps
   If ADHD is diagnosed, we’ll discuss treatment options, including therapy, practical strategies, or medication. If ADHD isn’t the cause, I will help guide you towards the right support and treatment options.

Intellectual Ability Assessment Process

Intellectual Ability Assessment Process
(For Children, Young People, and Adults)

If you or your child are curious about intellectual abilities or have concerns regarding cognitive strengths and challenges, an intellectual ability assessment can provide helpful insights. This process involves measuring cognitive functions such as memory, reasoning, and problem-solving skills. Below is an overview of what to expect during the assessment:

1. Initial Discussion
   In our first meeting, we’ll talk about your concerns, background, and the reasons you’re seeking an intellectual ability assessment. This conversation helps me understand your goals and determine if an IQ test is the right way to go about addressing your needs.

2. Choosing the Right Test
   Based on your age and specific needs, I’ll select the most appropriate IQ test for you. For adults, we may use the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS), and for children, we may use the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC). These tests assess different cognitive areas, like memory, reasoning, and problem-solving abilities.

3. Administering the Test
   During the test, I’ll guide you through a series of tasks. These may involve solving problems, answering questions, and completing timed exercises, all designed to measure various aspects of your cognitive abilities, including:

• Verbal comprehension (vocabulary and reasoning)

• Working memory (holding and manipulating information)

• Processing speed (how quickly you can complete tasks)

• Perceptual reasoning (problem-solving and abstract thinking)

4. Scoring the Test
   Once the test is complete, I’ll score it according to established norms. This will give us an overall Full Scale IQ score, which measures general intellectual ability, as well as scores for specific cognitive areas.

5. Interpreting the Results
   I will explain your results in clear and simple terms, highlighting both your strengths and any areas for improvement. Your IQ score provides an overview of your cognitive abilities, while the individual subtest scores will help pinpoint where you may excel or face challenges.

6. Feedback and Next Steps
   Finally, we’ll go over the results and discuss any recommendations. If there are areas of concern, I might suggest strategies for improvement or additional evaluations, such as assessments for learning difficulties. The goal is to make sure you have a clear understanding of your cognitive strengths and how to apply them in daily life.