Psychological Assessment and Formulation
A focused piece of work for when what you want is a clear understanding of what's going on, rather than diving straight into ongoing therapy. Together we build a theory-informed, evidence-based picture of your experience — and what's most likely to help from here.
From £250
What is a psychological assessment?
A psychological assessment isn't a test, and there are no right or wrong answers. It's a thorough, collaborative conversation in which we work with you to build a clear picture of what's going on — what your difficulties are, how they developed, what's keeping them in place, and what might help.
The outcome is a formulation: a shared understanding of your experience that draws together your personal history, your current circumstances, the relationships and contexts you live within, your identity, and the psychological factors that appear most relevant. A good formulation is driven by psychological theory and rooted in the evidence base, while staying genuinely yours.
That formulation then becomes the foundation for any recommendations we make — whether that's a specific therapeutic approach, a referral to another specialist, written recommendations to share with your GP, or a plan for moving forward independently.
A psychological assessment is useful for people who are unsure what kind of help they need, who have had previous therapy that didn't fully land, or who simply want clarity before committing to a course of treatment.
When is an assessment useful?
An assessment isn't tied to a single condition — it's useful any time you want a clearer picture of what you're experiencing and what might help. People typically come for an assessment when they're unsure where to start, when previous support hasn't fully landed, when difficulties are long-standing or complex, or when they want a thorough, professional perspective before committing to ongoing therapy.
How an assessment works
A comprehensive assessment with us is structured around three clear stages, so you always know where you are in the process and what's coming next.
Is an assessment right for you?
A psychological assessment may be a good starting point if:
- You're not sure what kind of therapy would suit you best
- You've been struggling for some time but haven't yet sought professional support
- You've had therapy before but feel your difficulties weren't fully understood
- You'd like a clear, professional formulation of your experience before committing to ongoing work
- You'd like written recommendations to share with your GP or another professional
- You're supporting a young person who's struggling and want clarity before deciding on next steps
Following an assessment, you're under no obligation to continue into ongoing therapy with us. If another approach or specialist would serve you better, we'll tell you clearly and help point you in the right direction.
.svg){kind=icon}
What stays the same, whichever therapies we use
You set the pace
There's no race here. We work at a pace that feels manageable, and you stay in charge of what you bring into the room and when. Some weeks we'll go deeper; some weeks we'll catch our breath.
Genuinely collaborative
You're the expert on your own life; we bring the clinical training. The work happens in the overlap — we'll think together, plan together, and adjust together, with your feedback shaping the room as much as ours.
Regular reviews
We don't just keep going on autopilot. Every few sessions we'll check in on what's landing, what isn't, and whether the approach we're using is still the right fit for where you've got to.
Reliable routes rarely run in a straight line
Therapy isn't always a tidy path — it winds, doubles back, and finds its shape as you go. The free, no-obligation 20-minute call is a chance to ask questions, get a feel for how we work, and decide together whether we're a good fit.