A psychological assessment focuses on understanding how a problem developed and what maintains it. It also looks at any exceptions to the problem and what children and parents have tried in order to deal with the problem. This information contributes to a plan (a so called formulation) of how to deal with the problem (the intervention, or therapy). Whilst an assessment can be diagnostic (for example, diagnosing depression), Psychologists are generally less concerned with diagnosis and instead specialise in finding an individual formulation for every person. This means that an individual treatment plan can be developed and a problem can still be addressed even if it does not fit the criteria for a specific diagnosis. Any psychological intervention will start with an assessment, although the duration of the assessment will vary depending on the complexity and the duration of the problem.
Since qualifying as a Clinical Psychologist, Susanna has conducted assessments of a range of different emotional and behavioural problems, as well as developmental disorders, such as ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the NHS as well as in the private sector.