We understand that not only can meeting a new person be a daunting experience but beginning to explore areas of difficulty can be quite challenging. If you are more comfortable bringing a friend or family member to your session, you can of course do so. Your clinician will endeavour to make the experience of assessment feel as safe as possible. You will be under no obligation to disclose any information you are not comfortable with and can ask questions at any time.
In the case where you are attending as the parent/carer of a minor, initial assessment sessions will likely be a parent-only space without the young person present. This allows for a more thorough and detailed discussion and exploration of areas of concern.
At an initial assessment, your clinician will aim to work alongside you to gain an understanding of the challenges you are experiencing. You may be given a questionnaire to help gather information and you will likely be asked questions pertaining to the reasons that brought you to the service, as well as relevant historical and background information.
Depending on your needs and the nature of the challenges you are experiencing, the period of assessment may vary. The process of assessment aims to gather enough information that a psychological opinion can be formed, on the basis of which, goals, advice, and therapeutic plan can be made. The assessment also allows the beginning of a therapeutic relationship to be formed and an opportunity to develop an understanding of current challenges.
It may be the outcome of the assessment that after having gathered additional information, we may not be the best service to progress in supporting you at this moment in time. Where this is the case, we will explain why and will (if and where possible), signpost to a more appropriate service.