Initial Assessment

The Initial 50 Minute Assessment Session prior to therapy involves an introduction to confidentiality, legalities and the therapeutic process. General information, history, an overview of the presenting issues and goals for therapy are discussed. Relevant psychometric screening assessments such as for mood, trauma, dissociation, suicidal risk, BPD, OCD, and current mental health status are completed. An initial proposed treatment plan and planned model of therapy will be considered. If both parties are agreeable to continue work together, then weekly psychological sessions of 50 minute duration will be offered. 

Types of Psychometric Assessment on offer

A number of psychometric assessments might be completed as part of your usual therapy such as psychometric assessments for mood, risk, quality of life or brief screening assessments for cognition, memory and psychopathology.  More detailed and  comprehensive psychometric assessments can be requested such as: Cognitive and Memory Functioning Assessment, A full Personality & Psychopathology Assessment, Suicidal Risk Assessment, PTSD and  Complex PTSD, Violence Risk Assessment and Anger Disorder Assessment. 

Personality  and/or Psychopathology assessment

Assessment of personality and current psychopathology are completed using the MCMI-IV or PAI.  The findings of these assessments are used to guide future intervention and therapy.

Alternatively it is possible for 3rd party professionals to request such a report for non-clinical purposes such as pertaining to health, accident or forensic legal matters.  Those commissioning the report are responsible for the fee and the DPCS terms of payment is  30 days from  receipt of invoice.

It is important to note that an Initial Clinical Assessment would be required prior to the completion of a Personality or Psychopathology assessment. Reports when required are tailored to the clinical questions or terms of reference. 

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intelligence (IQ) Assessment

Assessment of Intelligence (IQ).  Defined by Wechsler (1939) as: "The global capacity of a person to act purposefully, to think rationally, and to deal effectively with his/her environment." The measurement of adult intelligence, p. 229).  The findings of this measure is used to guide future intervention and therapy.

Alternatively it is possible for 3rd party professionals to request such a report for non-clinical purposes such as pertaining to health, accident or forensic legal matters.   Those commissioning the report are responsible for the fee and the DPCS terms of payment is  30 days from  receipt of invoice. 

It is important to note that an Initial Clinical Assessment would be required prior to the completion of an Intelligence assessment. Reports when required are tailored to the clinical questions or terms of reference.  Costs depend on whether Dr. Thompson is required to attend MDTs, Tribunals or Hearings in relation to the service user.

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Cognitive and/or memory assessment

Assessment of current Cognitive and/or Memory function.  This may include for instance, attention, orientation, language, processing speed, executive functioning, test of pre-morbid functioning and the various types of memory with consideration of the impact impairments may have on the individual's thinking and behaviour. The findings of these assessments are used to guide future rehabilitation, psychological intervention and therapy.

Alternatively it is possible for 3rd party professionals to request such a report for non-therapeutic purposes such as pertaining to health, accident or forensic legal matters.   Those commissioning the report are responsible for the fee and the DPCS terms of payment is  30 days from  receipt of invoice.

It is important to note that an Initial Clinical Assessment would be required prior to the completion of a Cognitive or Memory assessment. Reports when required are tailored to the clinical questions or terms of reference.  Fees depend on the number and complexity of the cognitive and memory assessments requested.

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Violence Risk Assessment & Case Management Recommendations

HCR-20 (version 2) risk assessment for violence.  This is usually utilised for offenders or ex-offenders with mental health issues based within low secure settings who are about to make the transition to less supported or less secure placements. 

It would be usual for psychiatric, forensic, legal teams and other mental health professionals to request such a report prior to a transition or at the request of a Mental Health Review Tribunal.    

It is important to note that an Initial Clinical Assessment would be required prior to the completion of a violence risk assessment.  Reports when required are tailored to the clinical questions or terms of reference.  Fees are dependent on the amount of material and complexity of the case and whether Dr. Thompson is required to attend MDT meetings or Tribunals.  Those commissioning the report are responsible for the fee and the DPCS terms of payment is 60 days from  receipt of invoice.

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Anger Disorder Assessment

Some individuals have significant long term  problems with anger and my like to have this assessment in order that treatment is targeted towards the most pressing aspects of their aggression.  This assessment assesses anger as an independent problem, rather than as a secondary symptom of another issue.  It examines the physical aggression resulting from anger, the cognitions associated with anger that may be a part of affective aggression.  It assesses both the internal experiences and expressive patterns of anger. 

The five areas of anger measured are the:

•Provocations Domain: Scope of Anger Provocations, Hurt/Social Rejection
•Arousal Domain: Physiological Arousal, Duration of anger, Episode Length
•Cognitions Domain: Rumination, Resentment, Suspiciousness
•Motives Domain: Revenge, Coercion, Tension Reduction
•Behaviours Domain: Brooding, Verbal Expression, Physical Aggression, Passive Aggression, Relational Aggression, Indirect Aggression.

The Anger Disorder Assessment provides a total score and scores for three higher-order factors: Anger-in, Reactivity /Expression and Vengeance.

The findings of this assessment is ideally used to guide future psychological intervention and therapy.  Alternatively it is possible for 3rd party professionals to request such a report for non-clinical purposes such as pertaining to health, accident or forensic legal matters.  Those commissioning the report are responsible for the fee and the DPCS terms of payment is  60 days from receipt of invoice.

It is important to note that an Initial Clinical Assessment would be required prior to the completion of an Anger Disorder Assessment. Reports when required are tailored to the clinical questions or terms of reference.  Costs depend on whether Dr. Thompson is expected to attend additional meetings and hearings.

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