A psychological assessment through a medical doctor (such as a GP) is often:
- More formal than regular therapy
- Meant to provide a clinical opinion
- Used to document symptoms, diagnose conditions, or support legal or medical decisions
- Sometimes tied to court cases, benefit claims, protection orders, or official reports
This kind of assessment may be performed by a clinical psychologist, psychiatrist, or mental health specialist who works in coordination with your doctor.
🩺 Why Are You Being Referred?
Common reasons a GP might refer you:
- You’ve experienced ongoing trauma or abuse
- There’s concern for your mental health (e.g., PTSD, anxiety, depression)
- Your case involves legal proceedings, and an official psychological opinion is needed
- You’ve asked for additional support or medical documentation
- You’re being assessed for therapy access, medication, or even a mental health plan
🗂️ What Might the Appointment Include?
This can vary depending on your case, but often includes:
🧾 1. Personal History
- Your experiences with trauma or abuse
- Past mental health concerns or diagnoses
- Family and relationship dynamics
🧠 2. Mental Health Screening
- How you’ve been feeling (emotionally, cognitively, physically)
- Sleep, appetite, concentration, panic, dissociation, etc.
- May involve questionnaires or structured interviews
📈 3. Current Functioning
- How your mental health is impacting daily life
- Relationships, work, parenting, social situations
📃 4. Impact of Trauma or Events
- If this is related to domestic violence or abuse, they may explore:
- Fear responses
- Hypervigilance
- Emotional triggers
- Trust issues
- Guilt, shame, or isolation
⚖️ 5. Legal, Medical, or Safety Factors
- They may ask about legal cases, safety concerns, or protective measures
- You might be asked to give consent for your doctor/lawyer to access parts of this report
🛡️ How to Prepare
📒 Bring:
- Notes about what you want to say (you don’t have to remember it all)
- Any previous diagnosis or therapy notes (if you have them)
- A list of current medications
- Any evidence you’re allowed to share (police reports, emails, texts)
✍️ Be Honest — But Know This:
You do not have to disclose everything in detail if you’re not ready.
Instead, you can say:
“I’m not ready to talk about that yet, but it’s relevant to what I’m experiencing.”
❤️ Emotional Preparation
This can be an emotional appointment, especially if you’re describing events you’ve worked hard to survive. It’s okay to cry, take breaks, or ask for clarification.
It’s also okay to ask them directly:
“Will this report be shared with anyone else?”
“Is this confidential?”
“Can I request a copy?”
🧩 The Bigger Picture
This kind of assessment may become part of:
- A legal case or custody battle
- Applications for mental health support, benefits, or protection orders
- Establishing a clinical record of trauma impact
- Your long-term healing journey, with documentation that validates what you’ve been through
✨ You Are Brave to Do This
Many people never get to this point because the process feels intimidating. But you are showing up for your truth — and that’s an act of reclaiming your story, your sanity, and your future.
