Psychometric assessments

Psychometric assessments tend to be recommended by schools so there may be several conversations between school, you and me to clarify what is needed. An initial appointment will then be made with parents to gather background information and this can be in person or online. The assessment appointment with the child is face-to-face and likely to last between 2 and 3 hours (with breaks). Mondays are reserved for assessment appointments so your child's appointment is most likely to be on a Monday morning. Following this, a report will be completed and a feedback appointment can be arranged. Further information can be sent upon request. Costs for assessments vary depending on what is required.
 
 
Assessments use scientific tools that are aimed at evaluating different mental functions, such as memory, processing speed, different types of reasoning (such as logical, verbal, abstract or quantitative), verbal and perceptual skills, as well as academic abilities, such as reading, writing, spelling, or mathematics. 
Commonly, these cognitive and academic tests are requested by schools when teachers or parents notice that a child is struggling academically, to support the identification of learning difficulties that may be hindering the child’s educational progress. More important than any individual score or IQ number is to identify a child’s profile of strengths and weaknesses to understand how they are best able to make sense of the world around them, and provide recommendations on how to build on their skills and accommodate to their weaknesses.
 
There are also numerous standardised questionnaires that can be used to detect and assess a number of psychological difficulties in adults and in children, including depression, different forms of anxiety, hyperactivity or conduct problems, obsessive-compulsive symptoms or post-traumatic stress disorder. They are typically used in formal assessments for schools, but insurance companies can also request them for adults in certain situations, such as accident claims or capacity to return to work. These questionnaires can also inform therapy if considered necessary.
 
Creative tools, such as story-telling, play, picture cards or artwork can often add interesting insights and provide an alternative means of expression during assessment as well as therapy.

​Projective tests can also be used to identify psychological difficulties and give an indication of emotional functioning. These tests rely on interpreting a person's responses to vague or ambiguous images, which is considered to give insight into their internal working model, of how they make sense of the world.