Taking care of our mental health is a vital part of overall well-being, and knowing when to ask for help is a key step in that journey. For some, this can include completing a psychological assessment—a term that might sound intimidating at first. But what does a psychological assessment really mean, and how do you know if it’s something you might benefit from? Let’s break it down together.
When a doctor diagnoses a physical illness, they look at specific symptoms, how they occur together, and how they impact your daily life. A psychological assessment works in a similar way, but it focuses on your cognitive and emotional experiences.
A psychological assessment is a detailed evaluation of your mental health. It examines how your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors interact and influence your daily life.
Just as a doctor might order blood tests or lab work to help make a diagnosis, the assessing professional uses various tools to gather information during a psychological assessment. These tools may include:
Psychological assessments are not always a one-time process—they can be repeated over time to track progress and observe how your mental health evolves.
It’s important to note that not all tools or methods are used in every assessment. The professional conducting the evaluation will choose the tools that best align with your unique needs and concerns.
A psychological assessment is often recommended when someone is experiencing signs (observable behaviors others might notice) and symptoms (internal thoughts and feelings) of a mental health condition. While some individuals may clearly recognize that what they’re experiencing is outside of the usual experience and seek a diagnosis for support or clarity, others may be unsure if their experiences are something they should be concerned about. In these cases, an assessment can provide valuable insights to help clarify what’s going on.
For example, we all feel sad sometimes - that’s just part of being human! However, for people whose feelings of sadness are so severe that they have trouble functioning in everyday life (like socializing and/or succeeding at school or work), it’s possible that there could be something deeper going on. In these situations, a psychological assessment may be helpful to find out the nature of the issue, and to identify the most helpful strategies to move forward.
Depending on the specific questions asked, a psychological assessment can help diagnose a number of things about a person. For example, an assessment can help identify whether an individual has a learning disorder, a mental health issue (like anxiety or depression), a substance use issue, or a neurodiverse condition like autism or ADHD. In some cases, psychological assessments can even be used to look for personality traits that might make someone a good fit for a certain job (like a leadership role), and whether a person’s character, personality and values suit a company they’ve applied to. Psychologists and other mental health professionals are uniquely trained to cater psychological assessments to diverse situations and needs like these.
Psychological assessments must be conducted by mental health professionals with specific experience, qualifications and training. It takes a great deal of skill for a professional to conduct an assessment and narrow in on the cause (or causes) of an individual’s symptoms, offer a diagnosis and recommend treatment options.
In most Canadian provinces, only psychologists and physicians (like family doctors and psychiatrists) can conduct a psychological assessment and make a mental health diagnosis. However, in some provinces (e.g., Alberta and British Columbia), social workers and nurse practitioners with specialized training can offer some evaluations and diagnose specific mental health issues.
Psychological assessments aren’t necessary for everyone, but when used appropriately, they can provide valuable insights to support a person’s journey toward wellness. These assessments can uncover the root causes of challenges faced at work, school, or in relationships, offering clarity on cognitive and emotional barriers.
It’s important to note that a psychological assessment isn’t required to access mental health treatment or counseling. Deciding whether to pursue an assessment or diagnosis is a highly personal process, and it depends on each individual’s unique goals and needs.
The results of a psychological assessment can help individuals and their loved ones better understand their mental health, cognitive challenges, and personal strengths. Most importantly, they offer guidance on the kinds of support and interventions that can help individuals not just manage their difficulties, but also succeed and thrive.
- Facing mental health challenges? Layla is here to helpIndividuals, couples, and families use Layla for personalized, convenient therapy. Layla matches you to a suitable therapist and manage the therapy process in a warm, dependable manner, supporting you on your journey to better health. Learn more here
- Are you seeking a Psychological Assessment? Layla offers virtual psychological assessments for adults covering ADHD, PTSD, Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, BPD, Somatic Symptom Disorder, and Illness Anxiety Disorder. Conducted by Registered Psychologists, the service involves a 90-minute video interview, psychometric tests, and a debrief meeting. Learn more here
References
American Psychological Association. (2022, August 18). Understanding psychological testing and assessment. https://www.apa.org/topics/testing-assessment-measurement/understanding
Committee on Psychological Testing. (2015). Psychological Testing in the Service of Disability Determination. National Academies Press, 3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK305233/
