Psychological therapy
The PsychologySmith©
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The beginning
To begin with, we will have an initial session to comprehensively assess your difficulties. You will be asked questions such as:
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We will look at what you are hoping to gain from therapy i.e. your hopes, expectations, goals, etc. All the information in our initial session will help us formulate your difficulties in order to develop a suitable treatment plan, which will be unique to you. The initial session will help us decide whether we can work together, or if needed, you will be signposted to other suitable resources. Additionally, the initial session will give you the opportunity to ask questions and will give me the opportunity to explain the approaches I use in psychological therapy.
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The middle
As our therapeutic relationship progresses, we will slowly put together the pieces of your difficulties and work on adaptive ways to manage and cope with them. This may involve using psychotherapeutic tools and techniques. The middle of therapy is usually when we will start to process your life experiences; which will help us uncover not only 'what' you are experiencing, but 'why' and 'how' these experiences have unfolded. It is important to note that your processing will continue outside of the therapy room, which is why you may also be required to do some work in between sessions in order to facilitate and boost progress. |
The end
We are all unique individuals and we experience difficulties in different ways. There is no fixed number of sessions that can predict difficulties being resolved. For some individuals, it might be short-term psychological therapy or solution-focussed work, and for others it might be long-term and in-depth psychological therapy that is needed. For this reason, we will have regular check-ins to help us review learning, progress and any shifts in your sense of wellbeing. Collaboration, engagement and motivation for change are key to deciding the duration of psychological therapy, so together, we will be able to decide what is best for you. |
Please note, if I consider your requirements beyond my competence, I reserve the right to terminate our agreement, this will be discussed where possible and recommendations would be provided.
Adult ADHD assessment process
At The PsychologySmith, the assessment process for ADHD is tailored to each individual's needs and is conducted with thoroughness and attention to detail, adhering closely to the guidelines set forth by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), aligning with the standards upheld by the NHS. The assessment process is designed to gather detailed information and provide meaningful insights into each individual's unique needs and strengths. The assessment process will include:
1. ADHD pre-assessment screening session (50 mins):
The Pre-assessment Screening Session is an important step before undergoing a full ADHD assessment. It helps determine whether a formal diagnostic evaluation is appropriate for your situation and provides an initial overview of any ADHD traits or related challenges you may be experiencing.
What to Expect:
Why It's Important:
The Pre-assessment Screening Session ensures that we gather enough information to determine if a full ADHD assessment is warranted. This also helps you understand what to expect from the full diagnostic process and allows us to tailor the assessment to your specific needs. Please note that attending a pre-assessment screening session does not guarantee an ADHD diagnosis, and it is entirely possible that an alternative explanation for your symptoms may be identified. If the screening suggests that ADHD is unlikely, you may be guided toward other forms of support or treatment.
Disclaimer:
Before booking an ADHD assessment, it is the client's responsibility to verify with their GP whether the private assessment report will be accepted for shared care purposes. The PsychologySmith cannot guarantee that any healthcare provider, including your GP or NHS ADHD Support Services, will recognise or accept the report. We strongly encourage clients to discuss this matter with their GP or primary healthcare provider to ensure continuity of care.
2. ADHD Assessment (up to 3 hours):
The assessment process involves gathering background information through structured clinical interviews to evaluate ADHD symptoms and functional impairments, using standardised rating scales and self-report measures to assess symptom severity, and reviewing medical history, developmental milestones, and academic or work performance. We will complete a detailed social, medical, and mental health history, including any challenging life experiences you may have faced and discussing substance use if applicable. We will explore your family history and current living situation, as well as gather a developmental history from early childhood. We will conduct a diagnostic interview for ADHD in adults using the DIVA-5. Additionally, we will send you questionnaires via email to collect third-party information from a parent, sibling, good friend, partner, or spouse, and we will request your school reports, where accessible, to enhance the assessment process.
3. After the ADHD Assessment:
After concluding the ADHD assessment appointment, the ADHD Assessment report will require up to 28 days for completion. Adhering to BPS Guidelines, a draft of the report, that is not for distribution to third parties, will be emailed to you, and a 15-minute telephone appointment will be arranged to review the assessment outcomes and discuss any desired amendments to the report. I will make recommendations on where to get further information, discuss any further assessments or treatment that you might benefit from that cannot be provided by The PsychologySmith and signpost you as appropriate. I will write a detailed final report which will be emailed to you within 28 days provided payment for the assessment has been made. You can choose to share this with other healthcare professionals, such as your GP, at your discretion. Please note that I provide psychological assessments and formal diagnoses only, and I am unable to prescribe medication. Should we diagnose ADHD, and you would like to explore ADHD medication via private services as part of your treatment, I have established connections with private prescribers who can assist with this, and I can refer/signpost you to them following a diagnosis. Please be aware that the services provided by these prescribers are entirely separate and independent of my service and practice, and involve additional fees. Ultimately, the decision to consider medication is yours to make, and you will need to pursue and explore this independently.
4. Treatment Efficacy and Liability:
At The PsychologySmith, we provide assessments, interventions, and therapies that adhere to evidence-based practices recognised within the Counselling Psychology profession. However, it is important to note the following:
The Pre-assessment Screening Session is an important step before undergoing a full ADHD assessment. It helps determine whether a formal diagnostic evaluation is appropriate for your situation and provides an initial overview of any ADHD traits or related challenges you may be experiencing.
What to Expect:
- Initial Consultation
- Review of History
- Screening Tools
- Third-party Input
Why It's Important:
The Pre-assessment Screening Session ensures that we gather enough information to determine if a full ADHD assessment is warranted. This also helps you understand what to expect from the full diagnostic process and allows us to tailor the assessment to your specific needs. Please note that attending a pre-assessment screening session does not guarantee an ADHD diagnosis, and it is entirely possible that an alternative explanation for your symptoms may be identified. If the screening suggests that ADHD is unlikely, you may be guided toward other forms of support or treatment.
Disclaimer:
Before booking an ADHD assessment, it is the client's responsibility to verify with their GP whether the private assessment report will be accepted for shared care purposes. The PsychologySmith cannot guarantee that any healthcare provider, including your GP or NHS ADHD Support Services, will recognise or accept the report. We strongly encourage clients to discuss this matter with their GP or primary healthcare provider to ensure continuity of care.
2. ADHD Assessment (up to 3 hours):
The assessment process involves gathering background information through structured clinical interviews to evaluate ADHD symptoms and functional impairments, using standardised rating scales and self-report measures to assess symptom severity, and reviewing medical history, developmental milestones, and academic or work performance. We will complete a detailed social, medical, and mental health history, including any challenging life experiences you may have faced and discussing substance use if applicable. We will explore your family history and current living situation, as well as gather a developmental history from early childhood. We will conduct a diagnostic interview for ADHD in adults using the DIVA-5. Additionally, we will send you questionnaires via email to collect third-party information from a parent, sibling, good friend, partner, or spouse, and we will request your school reports, where accessible, to enhance the assessment process.
3. After the ADHD Assessment:
After concluding the ADHD assessment appointment, the ADHD Assessment report will require up to 28 days for completion. Adhering to BPS Guidelines, a draft of the report, that is not for distribution to third parties, will be emailed to you, and a 15-minute telephone appointment will be arranged to review the assessment outcomes and discuss any desired amendments to the report. I will make recommendations on where to get further information, discuss any further assessments or treatment that you might benefit from that cannot be provided by The PsychologySmith and signpost you as appropriate. I will write a detailed final report which will be emailed to you within 28 days provided payment for the assessment has been made. You can choose to share this with other healthcare professionals, such as your GP, at your discretion. Please note that I provide psychological assessments and formal diagnoses only, and I am unable to prescribe medication. Should we diagnose ADHD, and you would like to explore ADHD medication via private services as part of your treatment, I have established connections with private prescribers who can assist with this, and I can refer/signpost you to them following a diagnosis. Please be aware that the services provided by these prescribers are entirely separate and independent of my service and practice, and involve additional fees. Ultimately, the decision to consider medication is yours to make, and you will need to pursue and explore this independently.
4. Treatment Efficacy and Liability:
At The PsychologySmith, we provide assessments, interventions, and therapies that adhere to evidence-based practices recognised within the Counselling Psychology profession. However, it is important to note the following:
- There may be instances where a diagnostic assessment is conducted, but the desired outcome or diagnosis is not achieved. In such cases, Dr Jonell Smith will offer a comprehensive explanation and formulation of your assessed difficulties. Appropriate signposting will be provided where necessary. Please be aware that refunds will not be issued in these situations.
- We cannot guarantee that your healthcare provider, such as your GP, other NHS services, other private healthcare practitioners and providers, etc., will accept the assessment report, and we cannot be held liable in such cases. Refunds of fees will not be provided under these circumstances.
- While we strive to deliver effective services, we cannot guarantee the success of any treatment or intervention, nor can we be held liable for any consequences resulting from an assessment, treatment, or intervention that does not yield the desired effect. Refunds will not be offered in these instances.
- Dr Jonell Smith reserves the right to discontinue services if it is deemed that the client's presenting difficulties fall outside her scope of practice, and that more suitable alternatives are available. We will make every effort to communicate this during the initial contact or soon thereafter.
- Dr Jonell Smith retains the right to discontinue services if she believes that the assessment or intervention is no longer aligned with the best interests of the client.
Zero Tolerance Statement
The PsychologySmith Ltd. adopts a 'zero tolerance' outlook on all forms of abuse directed towards us; such behaviour or the use of inappropriate words (including, but not exclusively, verbal/written/social media) causing distress and/or constituting harassment will not be tolerated. Where appropriate, unlawful acts will be reported to the relevant authorities with supporting evidence. We hope you will understand and welcome this approach.
The PsychologySmith Ltd. adopts a 'zero tolerance' outlook on all forms of abuse directed towards us; such behaviour or the use of inappropriate words (including, but not exclusively, verbal/written/social media) causing distress and/or constituting harassment will not be tolerated. Where appropriate, unlawful acts will be reported to the relevant authorities with supporting evidence. We hope you will understand and welcome this approach.
"To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance." —Oscar Wilde
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© 2024 The PsychologySmith Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
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Company Number SC620239
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