Our Process

Option 1: One-Off Psychological Consultation

A focused conversation to help you understand what may be happening and what to do next

Sometimes you don't need—or aren't ready for—a full psychological assessment. You may simply want the opportunity to talk things through with an experienced psychologist, gain a professional perspective and work out what might help. The consultation can be in person or online.

This can be particularly useful if:

• You don't know what type of support you or your child needs.
• Something is difficult, but you're unsure why.
• You're wondering whether neurodevelopmental, emotional, behavioural, learning, trauma, attachment or other factors could be relevant.
• You want practical strategies for home, education or work.
• You're unsure whether a fuller assessment would be worthwhile.
• You already have a diagnosis or assessment but are wondering “what next?”
• You want professional psychological guidance without committing to a comprehensive assessment.

During the consultation, we can explore strengths and difficulties, developmental and life experiences, emotional wellbeing, behaviour, neurodevelopmental differences, relationships, education or employment and other factors that may be relevant.

The aim is for you to leave with greater understanding, practical ideas and a clearer sense of direction.

What will I receive?

Following your consultation, you will receive a written letter summarising the appointment, including the key areas discussed and relevant recommendations or suggested next steps.

This gives you something tangible to refer back to after the consultation and, where appropriate, may help you communicate the psychological guidance discussed with others involved in your or your child's support.

A one-off consultation is not a formal diagnostic or comprehensive psychological assessment. Sometimes the conclusion may be that no further assessment is needed. At other times, we may recommend a PPIN Assessment, specialist diagnostic assessment or another form of support.

Option 2: PPIN Assessment

Personalised Psychological Impact and Needs Assessment

A fuller psychology-led assessment to understand the whole picture

The PPIN Assessment is Total Psychology's more comprehensive psychological assessment pathway.

It is designed for children, young people and adults where difficulties may be more complex, have been present for some time, affect several areas of life, or where you would like a deeper understanding of what is happening, why it may be happening and what could help.

Rather than beginning with “What diagnosis does this person have?”, PPIN considers:

• What are this person's strengths?
• What are they finding difficult?
• What might be contributing to this?
• How is it affecting everyday life?
• What do they need?
• And what could make a meaningful difference?

Building the Bigger Picture

We gather relevant background information to understand the person within the context of their life. Depending on age and circumstances, this may include information from the individual, parents or family, school or other educational settings, the workplace, existing professional reports and other relevant sources.

The aim is to bring together different perspectives rather than relying on one test, questionnaire or appointment.

A Personalised Assessment

The PPIN Assessment may explore areas including:

• Development and life experiences
• Emotional wellbeing and regulation
• Behaviour and everyday functioning
• Neurodevelopmental strengths and differences
• Cognition, learning and information processing
• Family and relationships
• Trauma and attachment
• Sensory differences
• Medical and developmental history
• Education or working life
• Strengths and protective factors
• The impact of difficulties on everyday life
• Current and future support needs

Where appropriate, psychological assessment tools may be selected to help answer particular questions. The assessment is therefore personalised rather than test-led—we consider which assessments will genuinely add useful information rather than automatically giving everyone the same battery of tests.

Psychological Formulation – Making Sense of the Information

The most important part of PPIN is bringing everything together.

We develop a psychological formulation to understand the person's individual strengths and needs, patterns and triggers, experiences and environment, and how different factors may be interacting.

The purpose is not simply to produce scores or labels. It is to develop a meaningful understanding that can guide what happens next.

What will I receive?

As part of the fuller PPIN pathway, you will receive:

• A comprehensive written psychological report, bringing together the assessment findings, psychological understanding, strengths, needs and recommendations.
• A dedicated feedback session with your psychologist, where we talk you through the findings, explain what they may mean and give you the opportunity to ask questions.
• Individualised recommendations and next steps, based on what we have learned through the assessment.

For children and young people, recommendations may relate to home, school, college or further education, including learning and emotional support, reasonable adjustments, transitions and guidance that may be relevant to EHCPs and educational provision.

For adults, recommendations may consider work, further or higher education and everyday life, including reasonable adjustments, communication, ways of working and environmental or practical support.

Depending on what we identify, we can also discuss appropriate interventions, therapy, coaching, family support, further assessment or referrals.

The Difference at a Glance

Still Not Sure?

You don't need to know exactly what you need before contacting us.

A one-off consultation can be an excellent starting point. If it becomes clear that a PPIN Assessment or another type of specialist assessment would be beneficial, we can explain why and help you consider your options.

There is no assumption that everyone needs a diagnosis, a lengthy assessment process or ongoing therapy.

Our aim is to provide the right level of psychological input for you or your family.

Understand. Plan. Support. Review.

Total Psychology – understanding the total person and finding the right support