Specialist psychological assessments for dissociative symptoms and disorders

Dissociative experiences and symptoms are often poorly understood or recognised and may not be explored fully as part of routine psychological or mental health assessments.

If you have trauma-related dissociative experiences, you may also have many other presenting difficulties and symptoms that are impacting upon your life and functioning and you would like to better understand your difficulties and whether you may have a complex dissociative condition or disorder.

I am able to offer specialist structured clinical assessment of dissociative symptoms and disorders, using the SCID-D (Semi-Structured Clinical Interview for Dissociative Symptoms and Disorders). I have received formal training in administering diagnostic structured assessments and have experience in supporting others through their diagnosis, in understanding and making sense of their experiences and considering their needs post-assessment.

Specialist assessment for dissociative symptoms and disorders includes:

• Asking you to complete some screening questionnaires

• Interview-based assessment - usually over 3-4 appointments

• Use of the SCID-D structured diagnostic interview

• Gathering information from others where helpful, and with your consent

• Feedback appointment to share outcome of assessment

• Detailed report to be provided for you and your GP

• Psychoeducation and signposting for options for support and therapy for dissociative conditions