PTSD assessment & diagnosis
Are you looking for a formal assessment for PTSD? Our private diagnostic assessment gives you a clear answer, backed by a written clinical report.
You do not need a diagnosis to start therapy, and many of our clients never have one. But you may want to know for certain, or need written evidence to support a request for adjustments at work or in education.
How do we assess for PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Symptoms can include flashbacks, nightmares, feeling on edge, emotional numbness, and avoiding potential triggers.
Some people also experience persistent difficulties with emotion regulation, a deeply negative view of themselves, and sustaining relationships, particularly after experiencing repeated trauma, especially during childhood. This is known as Complex PTSD (C-PTSD).
As a specialist service, we are familiar with a range of trauma presentations, including internalised presentations, relationship difficulties and addictive behaviours. You can read more about how we work with PTSD.
It is important to note that meeting the criteria for PTSD requires exposure to a traumatic event: one that was extremely threatening or horrific. This is not a judgement about how difficult your life has been. Many people who have been through sustained stress, bullying, or a painful childhood may carry significant trauma, but may not meet the criteria for PTSD. If you are unsure whether your experiences would meet this threshold, contact us before booking.
We are able to differentiate PTSD from related issues, such as OCD and anxiety, and from neurodevelopmental conditions, such as autism.
How does the process work?
After booking an assessment, you will be asked to complete a consent form. You will then meet with your psychologist, and together we will explore your experiences and whether they meet the criteria for diagnosis.
The assessment session usually takes 30-90 minutes. On rare occasions, we may need to do a second assessment session to ensure we get a correct result.
We use structured diagnostic interviews and validated measures. For PTSD, we typically use the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ), the standard measure of PTSD and complex PTSD symptoms, alongside the International Trauma Interview (ITI) structured diagnostic interview. Some of the questionnaires can be completed beforehand, if you wish.
At the end of your assessment, your psychologist will confirm whether you meet the criteria or not. You will then receive a clinical report, usually within one week of your assessment session.
What are the fees?
£300. This includes the assessment sessions, scoring and interpretation, and your written clinical report.
Frequently asked questions
Will I have to describe my trauma?
We require a brief and factual overview of what happened. You do not need to relive the event in detail as the assessment will predominantly focus on the symptoms you experience. Some clients prefer to provide a written account of what happened so that they do not have to speak about it.
Which diagnostic system do you use?
We assess against ICD-11, the diagnostic system used by the NHS and by health services internationally. This matters for complex PTSD, which ICD-11 recognises as a distinct diagnosis but the American DSM-5 does not.
What is the difference between assessment and diagnosis?
An assessment is the process. We gather a detailed history, ask structured questions about your symptoms, and use validated clinical measures to establish whether your experiences meet the diagnostic criteria for a particular condition. A diagnosis is a possible outcome of the assessment process.
What if I do not meet criteria?
You still receive a full report explaining what we found and what we would recommend.
What will I receive?
You will receive a clinical report confirming whether you meet the diagnostic criteria or not. If you meet the criteria, this report will contain your formal diagnosis. The report will make recommendations for what you should do next.
Please note that we do not complete additional paperwork such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP) applications or court reports. You are welcome to submit your clinical report as evidence in these situations.
Will my diagnosis be recognised?
Yes. Your assessment is carried out by a Chartered Psychologist registered with the Health and Care Professions Council, using the same diagnostic criteria and standardised measures used in NHS services. It is a valid clinical diagnosis.
How that diagnosis is then used is up to the organisation you present it to. Employers and education providers generally accept a report from a registered psychologist. Your GP may or may not add a private diagnosis to your medical record, and an NHS service may carry out its own assessment before offering you a place on a treatment pathway. We are happy to talk this through with you beforehand if you are seeking assessment for a specific purpose.
Do I need a referral?
No. You can book directly.