Psychological Assessments

A psychological assessment can be the foundation for better understanding yourself and your behaviour.

The assessment, also known as a psychological evaluation, can uncover any psychological or mental health conditions and an in-depth understanding of your personality and IQ. In addition, you will discover your strengths and weaknesses, which can be the first step to reaching your highest potential.

Yolanda Fihla provides psychological assessments to anyone who would like to know more about themselves and for people who a medical, legal, or educational body has referred. For example, a legal professional might request a psychological assessment to determine the reliability of a witness or an accused person. In an educational setting, a psychological assessment can be vital for understanding learning needs and identifying behavioural difficulties, capabilities and limitations in children or adolescents.

If you or your loved one has been referred, going for a psychological assessment can sound intimidating; however, the assessment is not as daunting as it sounds. The below information will give you a breakdown of what to expect during and after the assessment.

The aim of the psychological assessment

  • It can be used as a diagnostic tool to determine if there are any mental health conditions and the severity of the condition. They are commonly used to diagnose depression, mood disorders, and ADHD.

  • It can be used as a monitoring tool for anyone already in treatment to measure their treatment progress, as well as to ascertain whether adjustments need to be made.

  • The assessment can assist in discovering the underlying causes of your symptoms and behaviour and provide a good foundation for creating a bespoke treatment plan tailored to your needs- as well as guide referrals to other specialists, such as a psychiatrist or neurologist, if needed.

  • As well as helping the individual undergoing assessment, it can also help families understand how to support the individual with their struggles.

What to expect during your psychological assessment

The type of tests Yolanda provides will depend on your unique situation and reasons for taking the evaluation. The assessment is based on your needs and not one set test; some will be used to determine IQ, others for personality, or as a diagnostic tool.

Yolanda may use four primary types of tests as part of the assessment. These tests may be a combination of written tests, surveys, questionnaires, puzzles, and verbal questions.

A clinical interview consists of your intake interview to gather important information about your background, family, relationship and personal history.

Assessment of Intellectual Functioning, also known as IQ, to determine a person’s cognitive capabilities and thought processes.

A personality assessment is used to learn more about your unique personality traits and what treatment options would benefit you most.

The behavioural assessment determines how you react to particular situations and the thoughts behind those reactions.

How to prepare for your initial consultation and assessment

Before your initial consultation, keep a journal in the weeks leading up to your appointment to note any symptoms, feelings or thoughts that concern you. It’s crucial to complete forms and questionnaires as honestly and comprehensively as possible.

Remember to bring along any hearing aids or reading glasses if you require them.

Please allow sufficient time for traffic, parking and finding the practice. Arriving by 10 minutes after your appointment may result in having to reschedule your appointment.