Specialist Psychological Assessments
Understanding why you are the way you are.
A specialist psychological assessment goes beyond a diagnosis. It produces a formulation — a detailed, evidence-based account of how your history, relationships, and experiences have shaped how you think, feel, and respond. For many people, this is the first time they have felt genuinely understood.
What is a specialist psychological assessment?
More than a diagnosis. A map.
A psychological assessment is a structured, in-depth process that draws together your history, your current difficulties, clinical interview, and psychometric testing to produce a comprehensive picture of your psychological presentation.
At inMind, we are less interested in fitting you into a category and more interested in understanding what happened to you, what meaning you made of it, and how that has shaped who you are. Our assessments are formulation-led — meaning the written report you receive does not just name a condition, it explains it in the context of your life.
This kind of assessment is particularly valuable when you have been struggling for a long time without a clear explanation, when previous diagnoses haven't felt quite right, or when you simply want to understand yourself more fully.
All assessments are conducted by a qualified psychologist (HCPC registered) via secure video call. Assessment typically involves one or more clinical interviews alongside standardised psychometric measures selected on the basis of your presentation.
You will receive a detailed written report. Where relevant, this can be shared with your GP, a treating clinician, or used to access further support. If you require a shorter summary letter — for example for a PIP application — this can be provided as part of a full assessment at no additional cost.
Note: We do not provide standalone letters or one-page summaries without a preceding full assessment. This ensures that anything we produce is clinically accurate and properly evidenced.
What we assess for
Areas of assessment.
Our assessments cover a range of presentations. Where multiple areas are relevant, they will be explored within the same assessment.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Personality disorder and personality difficulties
- Anxiety and related presentations
- Attachment and relational patterns
- Impact of childhood trauma or neglect
- Complex PTSD (CPTSD)
- Dissociative presentations
- Depression and mood difficulties
- Emotional dysregulation
- Presentations linked to intergenerational or cultural trauma
Why people seek assessment
People come to us when...
They have been struggling for years and want to understand why — not just manage symptoms
They have received a diagnosis that doesn't fully capture their experience, or have been told "it's not quite X" without being given an alternative
They want a formulation they can bring to therapy — so the therapeutic work can be more targeted and grounded
They need documentation for a GP, employer, PIP application, or other purpose — and want that documentation to be accurate and clinically sound
They are functioning on the outside but feel something is fundamentally off — and want to understand what that is
They want an assessment that takes into account their culture, background, and lived experience — not just their symptoms in isolation
They have had previous assessments that felt rushed, surface-level, or like they were being processed rather than understood
“A formulation is not a label. It is an explanation. It answers the question most people come in asking: why am I like this? And once that question has a real answer, something usually shifts.”
– Dr. Larissa Johnson, Clinical Director, inMind Psychological Services
What to expect
The assessment process.
All assessments are conducted via secure video call. Here is what the process looks like from first contact to final report.
Initial enquiry
Get in touch via the contact form or email with a brief outline of what you're looking for. We'll respond within 48 working hours to discuss whether an assessment is appropriate and answer any questions you have.
Free 30-minute consultation
Before committing to an assessment, we offer a free 30-minute consultation call. This gives you a chance to ask questions, understand what the process involves, and get a sense of whether we are the right fit.
Clinical interview
The assessment begins with one or more structured clinical interviews. These explore your history, current difficulties, relationships, and the experiences that have shaped you. Interviews are conducted via secure video call at a pace that feels manageable. You are always in control of what you share.
Psychometric testing
Alongside the clinical interview, we use standardised psychometric measures relevant to your presentation. These are completed online and take approximately 30–60 minutes depending on which measures are used.
Written report
You receive a detailed written formulation report. This document explains your presentation in full — what we found, how we understand it in the context of your history, and what we recommend in terms of next steps or treatment. Reports are typically completed within two to three weeks of the final session.
Feedback session
We offer a feedback session to walk through the report together, answer your questions, and discuss recommendations. This can be arranged as part of the assessment process.
Fees
What does an assessment cost?
We charge by the hour. A full assessment — covering clinical interview, psychometric testing, and written report — typically requires 8 to 10 hours in total. We will always give you a realistic estimate before you commit.
£200 / hr
Total assessment typically £1,600 – £2,000
This covers all assessment sessions, psychometric scoring and interpretation, written formulation report, and one feedback session. The exact number of hours depends on the complexity of your presentation and will be discussed before the assessment begins.
PIP and GP letters
If you need a shorter summary letter for a PIP application, GP referral, or similar purpose, this can be provided from the findings of a full assessment at no additional charge.
We do not offer standalone letters without a preceding full assessment — this protects the clinical integrity of anything we produce on your behalf.
Not sure if you need an assessment?
Book a free 30-minute consultation. There is no obligation, and it is often the clearest way to work out whether an assessment is the right next step for you.
Questions
Frequently asked questions.
How is this different from a diagnosis?
A diagnosis names a condition. A formulation explains it. Our reports do not just tell you what you have — they explain how your history, relationships, and experiences have contributed to the difficulties you’re experiencing now. Many people find this more useful than a label alone, particularly for complex presentations where a single diagnosis doesn’t capture the full picture.
Do I need a referral from my GP?
No. You can self-refer directly. You do not need a GP referral or a previous diagnosis to book an assessment with us.
Will the assessment tell me if I have PTSD or CPTSD?
Yes, where that is relevant to your presentation. Our assessments cover PTSD, CPTSD, personality disorder, and a range of related presentations. The report will include our clinical formulation and, where appropriate, diagnostic conclusions. We will always explain our reasoning rather than simply naming a condition.
How long does the whole process take?
From first contact to receiving your report, most assessments take four to six weeks. This varies depending on how quickly sessions can be scheduled and the complexity of the presentation. We will give you a realistic timeline before you start.
Can I use the report to access therapy or other support?
Yes. Many people use their assessment report to access therapy — either with us or with another provider — with a clearer formulation to guide the work. Reports can also be shared with your GP, employer, or other relevant professionals with your consent. If you go on to have therapy with inMind, the assessment informs the treatment planning from the outset.
Is the assessment conducted in person or online?
All assessments are conducted via secure video call. This means you can access specialist assessment from wherever you are in the UK or Cayman Islands without needing to travel.
What if I find the sessions difficult?
Assessment can bring up difficult material. We work at your pace and you are always in control of what you share and when. If you need to pause or take breaks between sessions, that is entirely fine. We will check in with you throughout the process and will not push you further than feels manageable.
Get in touch
Start with a free consultation.
30 minutes. No pressure. No obligation. Just a conversation about whether an assessment is right for you.