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Formal psychological testing with written reports

Specialist Psychological Assessments for the questions that need more than a conversation to answer.

A specialist psychological assessment uses formal, standardised testing methods to investigate a specific concern in depth and produces a written report with clear findings and recommendations. Select Psychology's assessments are carried out by HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologists at our Newcastle and Tynemouth clinics and online across the North East.

  • 44 Practitioners
  • 6 North East clinics
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How assessments work

Clarity where a conversation alone is not enough.

Therapy always begins with some form of assessment, but a specialist psychological assessment is a different thing. It uses standardised, evidence-based testing methods to investigate a specific concern in depth: measuring cognitive functioning, identifying patterns in behaviour and attention, or formally clarifying a diagnosis. The process is systematic and the outcome is a formal written report.

Specialist assessments at Select Psychology are carried out by HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologists with experience in formal psychological testing. They are entirely separate from therapy: the aim is not to start a treatment process but to generate a clear, detailed picture of a specific difficulty or question. That picture can then inform decisions, whether those are clinical, educational, occupational, or personal.

An assessment can be a standalone activity that ends with the report, or it can be followed by a course of therapy where the recommendations are worked through with a practitioner. Understanding what is happening clearly is the first step. Therapy is what you do with that understanding.

Psychological assessment consultation at Select Psychology

Types of assessment offered

Formal answers for specific questions.

  • Pre and post-surgery psychological assessment

  • Tourette’s syndrome assessment

  • ADHD assessment (adults only)

  • Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) assessment (adults only)

  • Psychological assessment for occupational purposes

  • Complex diagnostic assessment

How Select routes the work

Matched to the right Clinical Psychologist.

The Pathway Team takes time to understand what question you need answered before recommending a Clinical Psychologist with the specific assessment expertise your situation requires.

  1. 01

    A confidential first discussion

    The Pathway Team listens to what you need and matches you with the right Clinical Psychologist for your question.

  2. 02

    Matched to an assessment specialist

    Select routes you to an HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologist with the relevant expertise and experience for your specific type of assessment.

  3. 03

    Assessment and written report

    The assessment is conducted using validated testing methods. You receive a clear written report with findings, diagnosis if relevant, and a set of actionable recommendations.

Assessment fit

The right assessment for the right question.

Specialist assessments are not interchangeable. The Pathway Team takes time to understand what question you need answered and why, so the assessment recommended is the most appropriate one for your specific situation.

What the first conversation covers

  • The specific concern or question you need formally investigated
  • Whether the report needs to meet specific external requirements (GP, employer, legal, or school)
  • Location and appointment timing
  • Whether the report needs to meet specific external requirements (GP, employer, legal, school)
  • Whether follow-on therapy is likely to be needed after the assessment

A simple first move

Not sure where to start? Talk it through with the Pathway Team.

Who you might work with

Practitioners who offer this

Browse the full team, or let the Pathway Team match you.

Fees and insurance

Clear fees, and most major insurers accepted

No GP referral is needed. If you are using private medical insurance, tell the Pathway Team when you get in touch and they will help with authorisation.

Session fees

  • Relationship therapy£95
  • Specialist psychological therapy£110
  • Clinical & counselling psychology£140
  • Psychological assessmentsfrom £350
Insurers accepted

Bupa · Aviva · AXA · Allianz · Simply Health · Vita Health Group

Questions before you start

What people usually ask

1 What is a specialist psychological assessment?

A specialist psychological assessment is a formal evaluation that uses standardised, evidence-based testing methods to investigate a specific concern in depth. Unlike a standard clinical interview, it involves structured tasks and measures that generate objective data about cognitive functioning, attention, behaviour, or other psychological factors. The process results in a written report with findings and recommendations.

2 How is an assessment different from therapy?

Therapy is a process of working through difficulties over time. A specialist assessment is a focused evaluation aimed at answering a specific question: whether that is a diagnosis, a cognitive profile, or a formal recommendation for support. The two can be used independently or in combination. An assessment often clarifies the best direction for therapy, and some people find it helpful to start with an assessment before committing to a particular treatment approach.

3 What does the written report include?

The report outlines the purpose of the assessment, the methods used, the findings, any diagnosis where applicable, and a set of clear recommendations. Reports can be written to meet the requirements of different audiences, including GPs, schools, employers, or legal contexts. Your Clinical Psychologist will discuss the intended use of the report before the assessment begins, so it covers what you actually need.

4 Who carries out specialist assessments at Select Psychology?

All specialist assessments are carried out by HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologists with specific training and experience in the relevant assessment area. A Clinical Psychologist at doctoral level is qualified to administer and interpret formal psychological tests and produce reports that meet professional and legal standards.

From the blog

Read more before you decide

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A CBT session typically starts with a brief check-in, followed by a discussion about your current challenges, thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. Your therapist will help you identify unhelpful thinking patterns, develop practical coping strategies, and set a small action plan to practise between sessions. Most CBT sessions last around 50 minutes and are focused on helping you achieve specific mental health goals.

Select Psychology Team · 23 Jan 2026

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The Step-by-Step Guide to the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Process

The cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) process typically involves an initial assessment, setting therapy goals, identifying unhelpful thought patterns, learning practical coping strategies, and applying new skills between sessions. CBT is a structured, evidence-based therapy that helps people manage anxiety, depression, stress, phobias, and other mental health challenges by changing negative thinking and behaviours.

Select Psychology Team · 9 Jan 2026

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