Understanding the Therapy Assessment Process

by Jane Robinson

Attending a therapy assessment session is a vital first step towards receiving the right support for your needs. This session is designed to explore your concerns and help both you and the therapist determine the best therapeutic approach for your situation.

What Happens During an Assessment Session?

The therapy assessment session provides a supportive space for you to share your difficulties. The therapist will listen attentively, without judgement or criticism to understand your challenges and how they are impacting your life.

The primary goals of the assessment are: 

• To understand the nature of your distress and the factors contributing to it.
• To explore both internal emotional experiences and external life circumstances influencing your wellbeing.

Tailoring the Therapy Assessment Approach

Therapists may adapt the assessment based on your unique situation:

• For specific concerns like a fear of flying or public speaking, the therapist may use structured tools such as questionnaires and rating scales to better understand the issue.
• For complex histories such as trauma or ongoing relationship difficulties, the therapist may take a narrative approach, focusing more on conversation than formal assessments.

Key Topics Covered

During the assessment session, your therapist may explore:

• When and how your difficulties began
• Previous therapy experiences and their outcomes
• Impact on your personal and professional life
• Your goals for therapy and hopes for the future

Discussing Difficult Topics

You are never obligated to share more than you feel ready for. If you have experienced trauma or abuse, it may take time to feel comfortable discussing these areas. Therapists are trained to work at your pace, ensuring you feel safe and supported throughout the process.

What happens next?

Towards the end of the therapy assessment, the therapist will discuss next steps, including:

• Frequency of sessions
• Fee structure
• Therapy goals

In some cases, the therapist may recommend an ‘assessment phase’ involving two or three sessions. However, not every therapist will have a formal assessment phase. There will always be an element of getting to know each other in those early sessions as you build a therapeutic relationship together.

Remember: It’s Not a Test

An assessment session is not about passing or failing. It’s an opportunity for you and your therapist to collaboratively explore whether therapy is right for you at this time.

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Harley Therapy’s Satisfaction Guarantee

Jane Robinson – Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist

At Harley Therapy your wellbeing is our priority. If you feel your therapist isn’t the right fit after your first session, we offer the option to switch to another practitioner, ensuring you receive the support you deserve on your therapy journey.

We strive to provide a compassionate, non-judgemental space where you can explore your challenges with confidence and work towards positive change. An assessment session can be a supportive and empowering first step in discovering the right therapeutic path for you.